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![]() Since its inception, the American Hellenic Council has been the focal point of political activities of Greek Americans in California. The AHC has become an effective and respected political lobbying group whose purpose is to lobby the U.S. Congress for the protection and promotion of Greek-American interests. During its existence, the American Hellenic Council has supported numerous Hellenic issues, has made political donations and raised significant contributions for members of Congress who support Hellenic issues.
Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA44)
AHC Director interviews Dr. Panos Prevedouros, a Greek American running for Mayor of Honolulu, HI
![]() Support the reopening of the Theological School of Halki! Urge your Senator to support Senate Resolution 356 On November 20, 2009 some of the most influential United States Senators introduced legislation calling on Turkey to reopen the Ecumenical Patriarch's theological school of Halki, "without condition or further delay" and to "address other longstanding concerns relating to the Ecumenical Patriarchate."
The Orthodox Theological School of Halki (a.k.a The Halki Seminary) has been closed since 1971. It was seized in 1971, when the Turksih government nationalized all institutions of higher education. The continued closure of the only educational institution in Turkey for Orthodox Christian leadership consitues a violation of the basic right of freedom of religion. It has had a deleterious effect on the ability of Turkey's Greek Orthodox citizens to train the next generation of clergy. The Greek Orthodox Church and other communities, like the Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Catholic churches, have been deprived of important cultural sites and places of worship during the last few decades. This has been a government policy that is contrary to Turkey's aspirations of joining the EU, has been condemned by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) (a.k.a The Helsinki Commission). We believe and we urge reformers in Turkey to terminate the ability of the government agencies to seize the property of a religious community, while also simplifying the process for groups to regain clear title to their lost holdings. On the particular issue, we urge the Turksih Government to move forward on the issue and reopen the Theological School of Halki. Such an action will benefit not only Turkish society by instituting reforms that are geared towards a more tolerant society but also Turkey itself as it will move toward European democratic principles as a nation. ![]() On April 17, 2010, the American Hellenic Council of California hosted its 34th Annual Honors Dinner Dance at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. With over 400 people in attendance, the evening was a great success thanks to the support of our members and friends. Every year, AHC celebrates the achievements of dedicated political and community leaders who have made major contributions to Hellenic causes. This year, with KRON journalist Vicki Liviakis as the event's Master of Ceremonies, the Council recognized the accomplishments of four honorees - Mr. George M. Marcus, Ms. Zoye Fidler, Mr. Demetrios Liappas and Congresswoman Dina Titus. Each honoree gave a remarkable speech, brief but informative. Mr. Marcus received the Aristeio Award, presented each year to an outstanding individual who has made a major impact in his field and has been a supporter of Hellenism. The award is a testimony to Mr. Marcus's outstanding achievements in the real estate business as co-founder of Marcus & Millichap and as head of the Essex Property Trust, a publicly held REIT. It also recognized the support Mr. Marcus has given to several Greek-American organizations, including the Elios and the National Heritage Societies. The Saloutos honor was awarded to Mr. Liappas and Ms. Fidler in recognition of their contributions to Hellenism in the community. The award is named after Theodore Saloutos, one of the founding members of the American Hellenic Council. During his speech, Mr. Liappas, longtime director of the Basil P Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, spoke about the importance of teaching the Greek language and the customs and called for the community to support Hellenic education in the United States. Ms. Fidler received the Saloutos award after years of service to Hellenic Causes. Having served as president of the Greek-American Heritage Society of California, she was instrumental in developing many documentaries about Greek immigrants in the United States and raising awareness about their lives and history. The Pericles award was given to first-term Greek-American Congresswoman Dina Titus, who represents the 3rd district of Nevada. Ms. Titus is the granddaughter of Greek immigrants and grew up in Georgia. Before she was elected in Congress, she was a professor of political science at the University of Nevada. Since her taking the oath of office, she has ardently supported the causes of our community in Congress and raised awareness of our issues among her colleagues. Next year's Annual Honors Dinner Dance is expected to be held on April 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA. For more information on contributing, attending or participating in this or other AHC-sponsored events during the year, please direct all inquiries to the American Hellenic Council at: 323-651-3507 or by email at info@americanehellenic.org |
![]() ![]() The AHC depends on the generous support of its members in order to continue to fight for a peaceful and equitable solution in Cyprus, an end to religious oppression in Turkey and many other important issues. ![]() The AHC exists to ensure that the voice of the Greek American community is heard and respected by our elected officials. To do this we must bolster our membership to ensure we have the clout and the resources to accomplish our task. This is why we are asking you to become a member of the Council today!!! Become a member today!!
Ο Τουρκικός Άξονας - Η Σημερινή (In Greek) - Aug 23, 2010 Νέος άξονας υπό εκκόλαψη- Ελευθεροτυπία (In Greek) - Aug 21, 2010 Greece set to receive next loan instalment, EU says - BBC News - Aug 20, 2010 Pontian Greek Monastery in Turkey Celebrates First Mass Since Genocide - Aug 20, 2010 Greek Economy entering a Death Sprial ? Der Spiegel - Aug 18, 2010 Developments in the relations between Greece, Turkey & Israel (In Greek) - Aug 17, 2010 White House denies Turkey Arms Ultimatum - Politico - Aug 16, 2010 Netanyahu looks beyond Turkey in rare Greek visit - Reuters - Aug 15, 2010 Turkish PM Hoisted on Own Gaza Flotilla Petard - By Leo Rennert - American Thinker - July 27, 2010 Can America Rely on Turkey? - By Rep. John Sarbanes - The Huffington Post - July 20, 2010 Don't blame Europe for Turkey's move away from the West - By Henri Barkey - July 20, 2010 Turkish court indicts 196 over suspected coup plot - Reuters - July 19, 2010 George Papandreou: Let's prove that Greece is a worthy Country (In Greek) - July 17, 2010 Euro zone lauds Greek effort to cut budget deficit - July 12, 2010 The Submarine deals that helped sink Greece - The Wall Street Journal - July 10, 2010 Jennifer Lopez Out of Controversial N. Cyprus Concert. - TMZ - July 8, 2010 Turkish key constitutional reforms annulled by court - BBC News - July 7, 2010 Turning East, Turkey Asserts Economic Power - New York Times - July 5, 2010 VIDEO - As Greek Protests Continue, Greece's Prime Minister, George Papandreou on PBS's Newshour says that the economic shift is "daunting" - PBS- July 1, 2010 Jennifer Lopez said to perform at a hotel in occupied Northern Cyprus - Cyprus Mail - Jun 30, 2010 Suspected Russian Spy Missing in Cyprus - CNN - Jun 30, 2010 Greece in make-or-break return to markets - CNN - Jun 28, 2010 Greece considering selling island land to save economy - The Guardian - Jun 25, 2010 READ ARCHIVED NEWS |
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