REPORT Volume 46 Number 258 AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE JUNE 2019 2019 AHI Honorees (L-R) Ambassador Patrick Theros, Dr. Spiro Spireas, Eleni Bousis, Nicholas Chimicles. AHI President Larigakis Providing Public Witness Testimony. AHI Hosts 44th Anniversary Awards Dinner President Larigakis The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted its 44th Anniversary Hellenic Testifies Before Congress; Heritage Achievement and National Public Service Awards Dinner, March 9, 2019, Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C. Tells Appropriators: AHI honored a distinguished set of awardees based upon their important career achievements and contributions to the Greek American community or community No Foreign Aid to Turkey at-large. They were: Eleni D. Bousis, Philanthropist; Nicholas E. Chimicles, Founder AHI President Nick Larigakis pre- and Chairman, Chimicles, Schwartz, Kriner, & Donaldson-Smith LLP; Spiro sented public witness testimony to the Spireas, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SigmaPharm Laboratories, House of Representatives Appropria- LLC; and Ambassador Patrick N. Theros, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar and tions Subcommittee on State, Foreign Strategic Advisor, Gulf International Forum. Operations, and Related Programs on Larry Michael, “Voice of the Redskins,” and chief content officer and senior the Trump Administration’s foreign vice president, Washington Redskins; was the evening’s master of ceremonies. AHI aid proposal for FY2020 on March 12, Vice President James H. Lagos, Esq., introduced Michael. 2019. Continued on Page 2 In his oral testimony, Larigakis stated AHI opposed, in the best interests of the United States: (1) any assistance Greece’s Defense Minister Awards President Larigakis Medal the Administration will request for of Honor and Valor Turkey until Turkey withdraws all of its troops and illegal Turkish settlers from Greek Minister of Defense Cyprus; and Turkey ceases and desists Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis its acts of aggression in the Aegean; and awarded President Nick Lariga- kis the Medal of Honor and Valor Continued on Page 13 for his work to strengthen U.S.- Greece defense cooperation. The INSIDE THIS ISSUE ceremony took place at Greece’s equivalent to the Pentagon in Ath- AHI General News ...............................2 ens on May 6, 2019. Letters to Government Officials .........12 “This award has special im- AHI In the News ................................13 portance for me because from Greece’s Minister of Defense, Evangelos Apostolakis, Visitors to Hellenic House ..................14 where it came,” President Lar- awards plaque to AHI President Larigakis igakis said. “It was awarded by Statements and Announcements ..... 15 Continued on Page 11 AHI GENERAL NEWS The Marines of Headquarters Battalion presented the colors and the American and Greek national anthems were performed by Georgios Theodoridis, master chanter and director of Music Arts, St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington, D.C. Reverend Dimitrios J. Antokas, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Bethesda, Md., offered the invocation. Maria Pierce entertained the audience with a musical interlude. Apollonia provided musical entertainment. AHI Foundation Pres- ident Constantine Galanis offered greetings and intro- duced AHI President Nick R. Larigakis, who reviewed the Institute’s initiatives and programs that are provided (L-R) James Lagos, Nicholas Chimicles, Ambassador Tom Korologos, Kostas to the community. Alexakis, & Demitris Halakos. In Acceptance, Honorees Convey Gratitude, Appreciation for Hellenism “Tonight, we honor four outstanding members of the Greek American community for setting an example not only of professional excellence but of selfless service to others, AHIF President Costas Galanis. which is the ultimate definition of the ideas of Hellenism,” President Larigakis said. Philanthropist Eleni D. Bousis received the AHI Hellenic Heritage National Public Service Award in recognition of her faithful service to the vulnerable and marginalized populations across the globe. In acceptance, Bousis stated, “I am very humbled, touched, and grateful to AHI for recognizing my efforts in making a difference for humanity. It is a very gratifying experience.” Renowned Attorney and Legal Scholar Nicholas E. Chimicles received the AHI Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award for his contributions to the legal profession and his commitment to justice and the rule of law. In acceptance, Chimicles, who also serves on the AHI Board of Directors, stated, “I think this is a wonderful Marine Color Guard. organization. AHI is a great spokesperson for Hellenism. I am proud to be a part of AHI. Being here today all started with my parents and education. It is simply a privilege to be h e re .” AHI presented Entrepreneur and Scientist Spiro Spireas, Ph.D., with the AHI Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award for his outstanding achievements in the field of pharmaceutical science and for his leadership of, and service to, the Greek American community. “We have to think about Hellenism comprehensively,” Dr. Spireas, who is a former AHI Foundation president, said. “Hellenism is not just for ethnic Greeks, but also Philhellenes. The Greek community should continue to be selfless in giving to good causes. AHI is a good lobbying group. Greek Americans need to have effective lobbyists. We are giving something to a justified organization such as the American Hellenic Institute, and we need professionals to lobby for Masters of Ceremonies Larry Michael. AHI Vice President James Lagos. Greeks.” 2 AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE AHI GENERAL NEWS Former U.S. Ambassador Patrick Theros received the AHI Hellenic Heritage Public Service Award for his distinguished public service to the United States and for his tireless pursuit of religious freedom. In acceptance, Ambassador Theros said, “We must never underestimate the contribution of the Greek-American community in every aspect of life in the United States; we have produced great leaders in science, medicine, politics, finance, and academia. We need great organizations like the American Hellenic Institute to make our fellow Americans aware of our presence and importance.” Briefing with Top Greek, Cypriot Diplomats Comprise Weekend’s Events As part of the weekend’s festivities AHI hosted a breakfast briefing with Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Haris Lalacos and Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Marios Lysiotis, on March 9. The relevant topics affecting both countries were discussed by the two top diplomats. AHI President Nick Larigakis moderated the discussion. A lively Q&A session followed. Moreover, as part of the weekend’s festivities, major State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Matt Palmer with Mrs. Palmer. benefactors and supporters attended AHI Greek Night hosted at Kellari Restaurant, March 8. Special thanks to AHI board member, Dr. Athina Balta, for organizing the Greek Night. Ambassador Patrick Theros receiving the award from Nick Larigakis and Dr. Spiro Spireas receiving the award from Nick Larigakis and Costas Galanis. Costas Galanis. Nicholas Chimicles receiving the award from Nick Larigakis and Costas Eleni Bousis receiving the award from Nick Larigakis and Costas Galanis. Galanis. JUNE 2019 3 AHI GENERAL NEWS AHI Hosts 15th Annual Athens Awards Dinner (L-R) Nick Larigakis, Minister of Defense Apostolakis, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, represented by President Simos Anastasopoulos, Geoffrey Pyatt, Ambassador of the United States to Greece, Ilias Malevitis, AHI Greece President Emeritus, AHI Board Member Dr. Athina Balta, evening Master of Ceremonies, and George Economou, Athens Chapter President. The 15th Annual AHI-Athens Hellenic Heritage Achievement and Public Service Awards Dinner was held at The Grande Bretagne hotel in Athens on May 9, 2019. The honorees were: U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (represented by its president, Simos Anastasopoulos), and AHI-Greece Honorary President Emeritus Ilias Malevitis. AHI recognized each honoree for their contributions to strengthen U.S.-Greece cooperation. AHI presented Ambassador Pyatt and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce with the AHI Hellenic Heritage Public Service Award and AHI-Greece Honorary President Emeritus Malevitis with the AHI Hellenic Heritage Appreciation Award. AHI-Athens President George Economou welcomed the audience. AHI Board Member Dr. Athina Balta, Esq., served as Master of Ceremonies. AHI President Nick Larigakis also provided an address Nick Larigakis to the audience and commended the honorees. “This event helps to honor Hellenism because it is more than an ideal,” he said. “It is a living, breathing spirit In his acceptance, Ambassador Pyatt highlighted AHI’s whose vitality and impact is measured by achievements work under the leadership of President Larigakis. and contributions of individuals and organizations in our “AHI has been advocating for Greeks and Greek- communities and societies, and the three outstanding Americans for almost half a century, promoting Greek public honorees tonight personify these attributes.” policy issues and highlighting the contributions of individuals and institutions to their communities,” he said. “Thank you, Acceptance Remarks Nick, for all that you do to strengthen the ties between the In presenting Ambassador Pyatt with the AHI Hellenic United States and Greece and to bring our peoples closer Heritage Public Service Award, AHI noted the ambassador’s together.” contributions