AHI Interns Meet with their Members of Congress, Raise Awareness of Greek American IssuesWASHINGTON, DC —Interns from the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) met with their members of Congress in July to discuss issues of importance to the Greek American community. AHI President Nick Larigakis accompanied the interns to the meetings on Capitol Hill. Intern Dimitri Dimitriou (University of California, Berkeley) visited his member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), July 11, 2012. Dimitriou raised awareness about developments in the eastern Mediterranean pertaining to cooperative efforts between Cyprus and Israel, Egypt, and Lebanon to explore for hydrocarbon reserves within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He also informed Congressman Rohrabacher about Turkey’s various intimidation tactics in the eastern Mediterranean directed toward Cyprus and Israel. In addition, Congressman Rohrabacher expressed interest in H.R.2597, “The American Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act.” The congressman also re-affirmed his position that reopening the Halki Seminary School is important, and he expressed concern regarding other religious freedom violations in Turkey. AHI Intern Cady Papageorgiou (SUNY, Geneseo) met with her congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), July 20, 2012. Congresswoman Clarke welcomed the opportunity to become informed on the issues especially because she was familiar with members of the Greek American community of New York. Papageorgiou raised awareness about the Cyprus issue and the latest developments regarding Cyprus with regard to the exploration of hydrocarbon reserves. Congresswoman Clarke offered that the Turkish invasion and occupation by Turkish troops is not behavior that any NATO alliance country should display. The meeting also provided an opportunity for H.R. 2597 “American-Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act” to be discussed.
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent 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.
### For additional information, please contact Vasilios Kotsatos 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. |
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AHI Interns Meet with their Members of Congress, Raise Awareness of Greek American Issues
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