110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 14

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;
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SCON 14 ES

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;
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SCON 14 ES

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

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the significant contributions of

4 United States citizens of Hellenic heritage to the

5 United States;

6 (2) commemorates the 85th anniversary of the

7 founding of the American Hellenic Educational Pro8 gressive Association (AHEPA), applauds its mission,

9 and commends the many charitable contributions of

10 its members to communities around the world; and
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SCON 14 ES

1 (3) encourages the people of the United States

2 to observe the 85th anniversary of the founding of

3 AHEPA and celebrate its many accomplishments.

Passed the Senate March 19, 2007.

Attest:

Secretary.
110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 14

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Commemorating the 85th anniversary of the foundtry and Philhellenes in the United States. 1,300,000 United States citizens of Greek ances- gressive Association, a leading association for the ing of the American Hellenic Educational Pro-