[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16324-16325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING NICK LARIGAKIS FOR HIS 30 YEARS OF SERVICE STRENGTHENING U.S.-
 GREECE RELATIONS THROUGH HIS WORK AT THE AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE 
                                 (AHI)

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 23, 2017

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the extensive 
and unique contributions that my friend, Nick Larigakis, has made in 
strengthening the strategic alliance between the United States and 
Greece throughout his impressive 30-year tenure at the American 
Hellenic Institute. The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-
profit Greek American public policy center which Mr. Larigakis has led 
with his renowned passion for justice and the rule of law. He manages 
the day-to-day operations of AHI and its affiliated organizations. He 
is directly responsible for strategic planning, policy analysis, public 
affairs, government relations, financial development and 
communications--essentially a one man show.
  During his many years of distinguished service, Mr. Larigakis has 
hosted 70 successful

[[Page 16325]]

legislative conferences and two trade conferences. He has also hosted 
multiple Congressional fact-finding trips to Greece and Cyprus, and led 
nine summits on the Future of Hellenism in America. Through his 
tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to Hellenic causes he has 
molded AHI into a premier organization that regularly makes meaningful 
contributions in the public policy arena. As Co-Chair of the 
Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Affairs, as well as Co-Founder and Co-
Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance, I, along with my 
colleagues have especially benefitted from Nick's counsel and from the 
support of AHI in fostering mutually beneficial relations between the 
United States, Cyprus and Greece. His effective and respected political 
advocacy work has educated and informed the U.S. Congress about the 
protection and promotion of Hellenic-American interests. Furthermore, 
his efforts have helped form a strong bond within the Hellenic 
community and served as an invaluable resource for Philhellenes 
throughout our great nation.
  I congratulate Mr. Larigakis on reaching this important milestone in 
his career and thank him for his outstanding service, which has 
benefited our country, Greece, Cyprus and Hellenes worldwide while 
helping to preserve our rich cultural heritage. I look forward to 
working with him for many years to come. In the astute words of 
Pericles, ``What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone 
monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.'' Throughout his 
remarkable career, Mr. Larigakis has left behind a passion for 
perpetuating the cornerstones of Hellenism: justice and democracy. 
Axios.

                          ____________________