AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis Reaches Out to Greek American Community for Support of Legislation in Congress

August 1 Marks 20 Years with AHI

WASHINGTON, D.C.—During the past few months, AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis has traveled to different areas of the country spreading the mission of the American Hellenic Institute and seeking support from the grass-roots community for the numerous legislation that has been introduced in Congress regarding issues of concern to the Greek American community. These include Cyprus, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, FYROM, and the Visa Waiver for Greece.

On May 14 he began a West Coast trip to Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco.

While in Seattle he was hosted to a luncheon by Greek American leaders at the Columbia Tower Club. Following the luncheon, he had an extended meeting with Bruce Ramsey, Editorial Writer of the Seattle Times whereby Mr. Larigakis briefed Mr. Ramsey on various issues regarding U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus. A meeting was also held with James Allen, District Director for Congressman Jim McDermott (D-7th –WA). The two day visit to Seattle concluded with a presentation to the Seattle Juan De Fuca Chapter of AHEPA.

AHI members Cliff Argue and John Soudas helped to organize the trip to Seattle.

From Seattle he continued on to Portland, Oregon where AHI member E.John Rumpakis arranged for a small dinner on Friday evening, May 16 and on Saturday morning a breakfast briefing was arranged by AHI member Alex Christy. Through these two gatherings, Mr. Larigakis had the opportunity to meet with some of the leading activists in the Greek American community of Portland.

His West Coast swing concluded with a visit to San Francisco where Ted Laliotis, President of the Hellenic Federation of Northern California helped to arrange a presentation sponsored by the Federation.

One June 15 Mr. Larigakis traveled to Greensboro, NC at the invitation of AHI member and President of the Evrytanian Association, Kostas Kozakos, to attend the 63rd Annual Convention of the Evrytanian Association of America “To Velouchi” where he had the opportunity to address the conference General Assembly.

The following week, he assisted the Pan Macedonian Association to organize a one-day seminar in Washington, as part of their annual convention gathering in Baltimore. The following day, June 28th, he traveled to Springfield, Massachusetts at the invitation of AHI member and President of the PanCretan Association of America, Emmanuel E. Velivassakis to attend the 40th Convention of the PanCretan Association of America. While there he addressed the very large gathering of the convention General Assembly.

“It is imperative that we continue to educate and seek the support of the Greek American grass roots community in order to be more effective in gathering support for our issues on Capitol Hill. I wish to thank the many persons who helped to arrange for my visits the past few months,” said Larigakis.

20 Years at AHI

August 1, 2007 marks the 20 year anniversary for AHI’s Executive Director with the American Hellenic Institute.

“I can’t believe how quickly these last twenty years have passed. I truly feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful organization and to be associated with so many incredible and dedicated individuals. One can’t help but be inspired when you witness the continuous and unrelenting dedication and passion that AHI’s founder, Gene Rossides, brings to our causes on a daily basis. He serves as an example for all of us. Serving our community has been very gratifying for me personally. It never ceases to amaze me of the vast talent and good people we have in our community. I look forward to continuing to serve our community and to pursue the issues that are important to strengthening U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus,” said Larigakis.

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For additional information, please contact Georgia Economou at (202) 785-8430 or georgia@ahiworld.org. For general information regarding the activities of AHI, please view our Web site at https://www.ahiworld.org.