S o C V st ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ W ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ E 101 ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald anniversa ry N www.thenationalherald.com A weeKly GreeK-AMericAn publicAtion 1915-2016 VOL. 19, ISSUE 98 2 August 6-7 , 2016 c v $1.50 Zachariades SYRIZA is New AHEPA Blasted by Supreme Church, President ND Party New Jersey Native Gov’t Coalition Ran Uncontested Assailed for At the 94h Annual Anarchists and Supreme Convention General Disorder TNH Staff TNH Staff LAS VEGAS, NV – The delegates ATHENS – The ruling coalition of the American Hellenic Edu - led by The Radical Left SYRIZA cational Progressive Association has allowed disorder that led to (AHEPA), the leading associa - anarchists invading a Thessa - tion for the nation's American loniki cathedral and interrupt - citizens of Greek heritage and ing services, the major opposi - Philhellenes, elected Andrew C. tion New Democracy and Greek Zachariades of Brick, NJ as their Church said. supreme president at the 94th The critics said SYRIZA and Annual Supreme Convention in its partner, the otherwise rival, Las Vegas, NV. Zachariades ran far-right, pro-austerity, jingoistic unopposed in elections that Ap photo/philippos christou Independent Greeks (ANEL) are were held July 28. The formal Turkish Cypriots Protest "Religious" Influence losing a grip on law and order. installation ceremonies were SYRIZA is riddled with anarchist held on July 29. Turkish Cypriots protest in the Turkish-controlled northern Turkish Cypriot parliament to decry the creation of a "coordi - sympathizers and the party con - "It is an honor and privilege part of ethnically divided Cyprus' capital Nicosia against what nation committee" they accuse of having a hidden agenda to demned the eviction of pro- to be elected supreme presi - they say is Turkey's attempt to mold their secular culture into instill a more Islamic way of life by funding cultural and sport - refugee squatters in Thessa - dent," Zachariades said. "I'm sin - one that's more in tune with Islamic norms, on Wednesday, ing projects that will include a religious element. loniki that has to attacks against cerely grateful to the convention Aug. 3 , 2016. Some 1,500 people gathered in front of the government and party build - delegates who placed their sup - ings. port and trust in me to lead this Some 26 people who in - vibrant, venerable, and unique vaded the Thessaloniki cathe - organization." dral on July 31 were arrested He added, "This is a critical What You Don’t Know about Rep. Gus Bilirakis but rapidly acquitted and set year on many fronts. Elections free in court the next day as an - in the United States will provide archist assaults continue to us with an opportunity to work By Constantinos E. Scaros Florida district that also includes unnecessarily, for not having 2006, taking over the seat that grow. with a new administration and Tarpon Springs, the city with gotten back to me regarding a his father, Mike, had held since The Church’s Holy Synod Congress in 2017. Greece con - HOLIDAY, FL – Of all the more Greek-Americans per proposed interview. “It’s fine,” I he was first elected in 1982. slammed the government for tinues to deal with a gripping members of the United States capita than any other in the answered. “I know how busy “Typical nepotism,” one might failing to issue any statement economic crisis amid an un - Congress, who is the most sec - United States, that the reason you must be.” But he insisted: think. “He just inherited his fa - criticizing the protesters al - precedented migratory crisis; ond-most active of them all in hardly anyone knows about this “no, signomi.” ther’s seat.” But as we all though SYRIZA party officials and in Cyprus, challenging is - terms of proposing legislation? amazing statistic regarding That he instantly recognized learned thanks to Hittos, noth - said there should be no action sues such as property, territory Gus Bilirakis. what a prolific legislator Bili - my name without my having to ing could be further from the and security need to be ad - “This is what another Con - rakis is, “is because he is so make an association to this truth. dressed as settlement talks pro - gressman (in the know) told humble.” newspaper, and recalled that he The younger Bilirakis was ceed. In addition, the need for Gus,” Bilirakis’ Chief of Staff And those are not just words; had meant to get in touch with addicted to politics from a very community service around the Elizabeth Hittos told TNH. “He I experienced it firsthand. I had me corroborates what a good young age, Hittos said. “Since world is ceaseless and the pro - didn’t say who’s number one,” never met Rep. Bilirakis face to and humble man he is, as re - age 7.” And while other nine- motion of Hellenic ideals and but out of the entire Congress, face until that day, though we layed to me by Hittos, Tarpon year-olds were playing, he was our Hellenic heritage will al - Bilirakis is number two. had spoken on the phone a few Mayor Chris Alahouzos, and busy watching the 1972 na - ways be priorities for AHEPA. I Hittos told a packed house at times. “I’m Dino Scaros,” I said, many others in the community.” tional conventions. am excited to work with our the grand opening of Bilirakis’ to which he immediately recog - NO NEPOTISM HERE “It was Gus who from a seasoned Supreme Lodge and reelection campaign headquar - nized my name, put his hand on In reading Bilirakis’ biogra - young age pushed his father (a ters on July 30 in Holiday, part my shoulder, and said “signomi phy, one quickly discovers that Continued on page 5 of the congressman’s Western – I’m sorry.” He was apologizing, he was elected to Congress in Continued on page 4 Rep. Maloney Applauds OPIC Policy TNH Staff ter attending a White House from its economic crisis and this roundtable last August with creative step with OPIC, bene - WASHINGTON, DC – The Over - Greek-American leaders to dis - fiting both investors and the seas Private Investment Corpo - cuss efforts to assist Greece dur - Greek people, will help achieve ration (OPIC) is now open to re - ing its financial crisis, I joined that goal.” Kyriakos Mitsotakis viewing proposals for projects Rep. Gus Bilirakis in a letter to Following an August 6, 2015 in Greece according to a docu - OPIC President and CEO Eliza - roundtable discussion with taken against the anarchists and ment issued by the agency for beth Littlefield inquiring as to Greek-American leaders, White squatters and condemned Prime investors. Rep. Carolyn B. Mal - the agency's capacity to attract House Chief of Staff Denis Mc - Minister and party leader Alexis oney (D-NY) consulted for foreign investment to Greece. I Donough, Deputy National Se - Tsipras for not stopping it. months with OPIC on this issue want to thank President Little - curity Advisor for International “You represent our failure as which could help with the Greek field for her willingness to find Economics Caroline Atkinson, a society, school, family and financial crisis. Congresswoman ways OPIC could support capital and Vice President Joe Biden to democracy,” the Holy Synod Maloney, co-chair of the Con - investment in Greece in light of discuss efforts to assist Greece said in a message to the ac - gressional Caucus on Hellenic the country's extraordinary fi - during its financial crisis, the tivists. Issues, staunchly advocated for nancial circumstances. This doc - Congresswoman released a let - The removal of the squatters this statement and applauds ument will be invaluable to ter co-authored with Hellenic set off arson attacks on SYRIZA OPIC’s work on this important Greek Americans and others Caucus Co-Chair Bilirakis, en - and ANEL offices in Athens early matter. She and Hellenic Caucus who wish to do business in couraging OPIC to explore ways on Aug. 1. Co-Chair Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R- Greece with a focus on eco - in which it can actively encour - Arsonists also attacked the FL) released a letter last year nomic development. I am also age investment in Greece to engineering company that has Ap photo/MAtt DunhAM encouraging OPIC to make such proud to commend the Ameri - stimulate economic growth and been taken on to demolish one Greek Olympians in Rio changes. can Hellenic Institute for bring - stability. of the buildings in Thessaloniki “This OPIC statement of pol - ing this potential opportunity to “Our role as co-chairs of the used as a squat, Kathimerini Members of Greece's synchronized swimming duet begin their icy is a welcomed sign of United the forefront. The U.S. Govern - Hellenic Caucus is to meaning - said in a report on the rising routine as they take part in a training session in the Maria States support for Greece and ment has strongly supported, fully enhance the U.S.-Greece tensions, and with crime levels Lenk Aquatic Center ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in its economic recovery,” said and must continue to support, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016. Congresswoman Maloney. “Af - Greece as it works to rebound Continued on page 4 Continued on page 9 Mayor Alahouzos Seeks to Komninos is Help Boost Greek Economy Running for TAPRON SPRINGS, FL – He has houzos was committed to stew - Judge in FL only been in office four months, arding the city’s finances respon - but Chris Alahouzos, the first sibly. Greek-born mayor of Tarpon He is also committed to an is - TNH Staff Springs, the Florida city that sue “that is near and dear to my boasts the largest Greek-Ameri - heart, the elderly,” Alahouzos ST.