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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 14 Referred in House (RFH)]

  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 14

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 19, 2007

      Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was 
        founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia, by 8 visionary Greek 
        immigrants to help unify, organize, and protect against the bigotry, 
        discrimination, and defamation faced by people of all ethnic, racial, 
        and religious backgrounds perpetrated predominantly by the Ku Klux Klan;
Whereas the mission of AHEPA is to promote the ideals of ancient Greece, which 
        include philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and 
        individual excellence through community service and volunteerism;
Whereas since its inception, AHEPA has instilled in its members an understanding 
        of their Hellenic heritage and an awareness of the contributions made by 
        Greece to the development of democratic principles and governance in the 
        United States and throughout the world;
Whereas AHEPA has done much throughout its history to foster patriotism in the 
        United States;
Whereas members of AHEPA have served in the Armed Forces to protect the freedom 
        of the United States and to preserve the democratic ideals that are part 
        of the Hellenic legacy;
Whereas in World War II, members of AHEPA were parachuted behind enemy lines in 
        Nazi-occupied Greece to help liberate the country;
Whereas AHEPA raised more than $253,000,000 for United States war bonds during 
        World War II, for which AHEPA was named an official Issuing Agent for 
        United States War Bonds by the Department of Treasury, an honor that no 
        other civic organization was able to achieve at the time;
Whereas the members of AHEPA donated $612,000 for the restoration of the Statue 
        of Liberty and Ellis Island, New York, for which AHEPA received special 
        recognition by the Department of the Interior;
Whereas the AHEPA National Housing Program was awarded $500,000,000 by the 
        Department of Housing and Urban Development for its Section 202 Program, 
        which has yielded 4,370 units in 80 properties across 21 States and 49 
        cities and has provided dignified, affordable housing to senior 
        citizens;
Whereas AHEPA was recognized by the Department of State as an organization that 
        has engaged in ``Track Two Diplomacy'' to foster reconciliation and 
        rapprochement in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is in the best 
        interest of the United States;
Whereas members of AHEPA raised $110,000 for the George C. Marshall Statue to be 
        erected on the grounds of the United States Embassy in Athens, Greece, 
        in celebration of the historic relationship between the United States 
        and Greece, and in tribute to an outstanding statesman and Philhellene, 
        General Marshall;
Whereas AHEPA financially supports scholarships, educational chairs, medical 
        research, and countless other charitable and philanthropic causes by 
        contributing more than $2,000,000 annually from its national, district, 
        and local levels collectively;
Whereas in the spirit of their Hellenic heritage and in commemoration of the 
        Centennial Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia, members of AHEPA 
        raised $775,000 for the Tribute to Olympism Sculpture, the fan-like 
        structure of which helped to save lives during the bombing at Centennial 
        Olympic Park;
Whereas members of AHEPA have been Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United 
        States, United States Senators and Representatives, and United States 
        Ambassadors, and have served honorably as elected officials at the local 
        and State levels throughout the United States; and
Whereas President George H.W. Bush cited AHEPA as one of the ``thousand points 
        of light'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the significant contributions of United 
        States citizens of Hellenic heritage to the United States;
            (2) commemorates the 85th anniversary of the founding of 
        the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association 
        (AHEPA), applauds its mission, and commends the many charitable 
        contributions of its members to communities around the world; 
        and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        the 85th anniversary of the founding of AHEPA and celebrate its 
        many accomplishments.

            Passed the Senate March 19, 2007.

            Attest:

                                                NANCY ERICKSON,

                                                             Secretary.
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