ANNUAL REPORT 2019 American Hellenic Institute American Hellenic Institute Foundation AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ......................................................................................... 3 PUBLIC POLICY: AN OVERVIEW .....................................................................13 2019 PUBLIC POLICY IN ACTION ..................................................................15 LEGISLATIVE & POLICY INITIATIVES .............................................................16 MEDIA RELATIONS .................................................................................................21 HELLENIC HOUSE VISITORS ..............................................................................22 BRIEFINGS, CONFERENCES & FORUMS ....................................................22 AWARDS DINNER ....................................................................................................25 LEADERSHIP VISITS ABROAD ..........................................................................27 GENERAL NEWS .......................................................................................................31 AHI INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS ..........................................................................36 ATHENS AWARDS DINNER ................................................................................37 AHI FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS & INITIATIVES ...................................39 LEADERSHIP, AWARDS & STAFF NEWS ......................................................42 AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE 1220 16TH STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 www.AHIWORLD.ORG • 301-670-9728 • [email protected] 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Introduction Moreover, AHI placed letters to the editor which unnecessarily places lives in harm’s and AHI staff and board members appeared way. Turkey’s provocations went to even Dear Members and Friends: in media interviews. Furthermore, the AHI greater lengths with the Turkey-Libya As the American Hellenic Institute marks Foundation published the tenth volume maritime memorandum of understanding, its 45th year as the only Greek American of its Online Policy Journal that provides which has been resoundingly dismissed think-tank and public policy center, it gives expert policy analysis and commentary. as “null and void” and without any me great pride to present the Institute’s AHI hosted timely policy forums and legal foundation. Turkey must be held 2019 Annual Report. AHI’s policy-based public speaking events in the U.S. and accountable for its actions. programs and initiatives that advocate abroad. For example, AHI hosted a forum Further, we must remember Turkey for the rule of law and advance the best in Washington where panelists lauded still maintains more than 40,000 illegal interests of the United States on policies Greece’s “leading role” on the international troops on the island of Cyprus and of importance to Greek Americans are stage before an audience that included insists on keeping its guarantor status captured in this report. policy analysts and journalists, among in a post-settlement unified Cyprus, In 2019, AHI issued 76 press releases other influencers. Further, it was at an AHI which is unacceptable. There has been detailing our numerous policy activities event in Athens where U.S. Ambassador no progress with respect to religious and events. These activities included: the Geoffrey Pyatt first commented publicly freedom in Turkey, including the plight of 44thAnnual Hellenic Heritage Achievement on the Turkey-Libya maritime MoU, calling the Ecumenical Patriarchate, despite calls and National Public Service Awards it “unhelpful and provocative.” from entities such as the U.S. Commission th Dinner; the 15 Annual Awards Dinner Also, I am pleased AHI’s close-working on International Religious Freedom to in Athens; our annual “Congressional collaboration with the American Jewish address it. All these issues require our Salute to Greek Independence Day” on collective attention and action. th community in support for the burgeoning Capitol Hill; our 6 annual “Greek Heritage Greece-Cyprus-Israel partnership continued Therefore, as advocates for the rule of Night” with the Philadelphia Phillies that in 2019. In February, I represented AHI at law, we must continue to work, amid provides tremendous public exposure for a two-day conference of diaspora leaders a cramped foreign policy agenda in Greece and our Greek heritage; our annual from Greece, Cyprus, and Israel hosted Washington, to sustain the United States’ leadership trips to Greece and Cyprus, th in concurrence with The Jewish Agency high-level of engagement with Greece including our 11 Annual Study Abroad for Israel Board of Governors meeting in and Cyprus and press policymakers to Program for college students; and our Jerusalem. In an increasingly dangerous hold Turkey accountable for its illegal numerous public policy and noon forums. part of the world, it is important for us activities. The recognition by the U.S. The majority of AHI’s efforts focus on to do our part to ensure the trilateral House of Representatives and U.S. Senate advancing U.S. relations with Greece partnership continues to expand across all of the Armenian Genocide is testament and Cyprus as in the best interests of sectors, lending stability to the region. to what the power of advocacy and the U.S. The need to address Turkey’s We accomplished all these initiatives persistence can achieve. AHI commends rapid escalation of tensions through its thanks to the dedication of AHI’s Board the Armenian American community for belligerence and provocations in the of Directors and Policy Fellows, with the its accomplishments, and we are proud Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean assistance from our staff, and support of our own lengthy record on this critical Sea, and broader region also was at the from our members. Working together, AHI human rights issue and fight for justice. forefront of AHI’s policy agenda. In this continues to shine. Separately, AHI is excited to build upon the regard, AHI engaged with policymakers success of world-class, uplifting programs in the Trump administration and Congress 2020: Taking U.S. Relations with such as our study abroad program through policy letters, in-person witness Greece and Cyprus to New Levels for college students while exploring testimony, and face-to-face meetings amid Increased Tensions additional ways to encourage growth with high-ranking administration officials, in commerce, trade, and investment members of Congress and their staffs. AHI aspires to continue the momentum between the United States and Greece. With a high number of new members of generated from the beneficial programs Congress, AHI emphasized an increased we have offered to the community. We As I reflect on 2019, I am deeply grateful presence on Capitol Hill, which you will see aim to build upon our elevated status and appreciative of the members, board in detailed fashion in this report. Moreover, and prestige and the partnerships forged officers and staff for their dedication. several AHI policy positions conveyed to achieve even more policy successes Everyone worked together to make in my oral testimony to congressional in the future. We are always looking for it another productive year. Alongside appropriators were included in the final innovative ways to improve service to our own activities in Washington, and spending package passed by Congress. our membership base, to better address abroad, AHI’s strength relies on the many We can also take pride in knowing AHI’s our core agenda, and to cultivate significant contributions and generous policy positions are valued and taken into opportunities to positively influence the support of our members. We also look to consideration by Administration officials. Greek American community and U.S. you to communicate your suggestions, Following one of our meetings at the State relations with Greece and Cyprus. share your knowledge, and provide your Department, Maria Olson, director of the insights so that we can continue to fulfill Office of Southern European Affairs, wrote, The Eastern Mediterranean is immensely the needs of our most valuable asset—our “We take careful note of AHI’s position.” important to U.S. interests, and we must members. Thank you. advance and promote policies that To keep audiences and stakeholders embrace the rule of law. Greece is a reliable, With warm regards and gratitude, informed, AHI issued statements, steady, and trusted NATO ally-- a frontline published white papers, circulated op-ed state in the fight against terrorism. pieces and articles in a weekly e-news and Conversely, Turkey has proven to be a failed hosted policy forums. AHI also remains NATO ally. The instability for which Turkey an important resource for media outlets is responsible includes unprecedented Nick Larigakis seeking the Greek American perspective heightened aggression in the Aegean and President on U.S. policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), 1 AMERICAN AMERICAN HELLENIC HELLENIC INSTITUTE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION The American Hellenic Institute, Inc. (AHI) is a respected and independent non-profit, public policy and advocacy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community. It was founded on August 1, 1974, following Turkey’s invasion