AHI Honored at Philadelphia Greek Independence Parade, Recognized for Contributions to Community

WASHINGTON, DC — The 2012 Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade presented by the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley honored the American Hellenic Institute (AHI). It was the first time an institution has received such an honor by the Federation. The parade was held Sunday, March 18, 2012.

AHI Foundation President Dr. Spiros Spireas served as the parade’s Grand Marshal, which is the highest honor afforded by the Federation. It was bestowed to Dr. Spireas in appreciation of his many works as a prominent businessperson and efforts on behalf of the Greek American community, Metropolis, and his unwavering support of Hellenic issues. AHI Founder Eugene Rossides and AHI President Nick Larigakis were also unanimously selected Honorary Marshals. Presidents Larigakis and Dr. Spireas celebrated Greek Independence along with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Mr. Georgios Iliopoulos, consul-general in New York, Hellenic Republic; and Ms. Koula Sophianou, consul-general in New York, Republic of Cyprus; who were in attendance. Mr. Rossides was unable to attend.

“AHI and the AHI Foundation were honored to be recognized in this esteemed manner by the organizers of the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade,” Larigakis said. “On behalf of AHI Founder Gene Rossides and AHI Foundation President Dr. Spiros Spireas, and me, we thank the Federation, its chairman, George Horiates, and its president, Dimitrios Rozanitis, for having selected us as Marshals and for recognizing the contributions of AHI and Dr. Spireas to the community. We enjoyed celebrating the 191^st anniversary of Greek Independence with the community of Philadelphia and the tri-state area.”

Added Dr. Spireas, “My wife and I are very honored the parade organizers selected us to be the Grand Marshals, and through us, have bestowed honor and recognition to AHI and the AHI Foundation. The parade was a tremendous event and extremely successful. We extend our congratulations and appreciation to all the Greek Americans and Philhellenes of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley area.”

According to the Federation’s announcement, its goal was to highlight the good works of AHI and to encourage others to support the Institute. “The best part of our efforts as a Federation is to highlight and promote Hellenism in the Philadelphia area,” said Federation Board of Trustees Chairman George Horiates, Esq. “It is a lifelong labor of love. This is the first time that AHI is being honored in this fashion. It is a tribute to the man behind the title, a tribute to Dr. Spireas and Mssrs. Larigakis and Rossides, and indeed a tribute to the American Hellenic Institute.”

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Demetra Atsaloglou at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.