A fireside chat with Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) on Hellenic Issues

On October 20, members of the American Hellenic Council had the pleasure to meet and discuss with Greek-American Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) on her visit to Los Angeles. At an event held at Aeros Corporation and hosted by its founder and CEO, Igor Pasternak we met with the Congresswoman and raised issues of concern to the Greek-American community and beyond as US citizens.

Ms. Titus has been an ardent supporter of Hellenic Causes in Congress ever since she was elected. A professor of political science at UNLV and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she was very knowledgeable when we asked her about NATO, the relations of the United States vis-à-vis Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. She discussed with several of our members who were present at the event, including the Honorary Consul General of Cyprus in Los Angeles, Mr. Andreas Kyprianides.

We spoke with Congresswoman Titus on a variety of issues of concern to Greek-Americans including:

  • US relations with Turkey, Greece in light of Erdogan’s forays into building closer ties with Russia, Iran and speaking against Israel
  • What is the United States and the Congressional Hellenic Caucus position and action on the de-facto reopening of Famagusta (Varosha) in Cyprus contrary to UN resolutions
  • The upcoming US Election and what does the Congresswoman is the best candidate for Greek-Americans who care about NATO security and the US Economy.

View some of the discussion our President Spiros Lazaris and our Treasurer Alexander Mizan had with Congresswoman Titus.

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We have seen an exponential increase in activities in the Eastern Mediterranean that have caused upheaval in the region and in the international community. Erdogan’s aggression in the Mediterranean, the UAE and Israel signing an agreement, Iran’s precariousness, and it seems like at the center of it is energy.

John Defterios, CNN Business’ Emerging Markets Editor and Anchor, joined us to unpack the geopolitical dynamics of the Eastern Mediterranean as it relates to the energy sector and the discuss the economic ramifications of the pandemic on a global scale.

The US relationship towards the Eastern Med is changing. Most notably, in December 2019, President Trump signed the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019; a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Menendez of NJ and Senator Rubio of Florida.

The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean and a strong and prosperous alliance between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus.

Mr. Defterios helps answer questions like what are the political and economic implications of the changing oil prices and demand? How are Russia and Turkey affected by these changes and what does this mean for Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States? And what will the legacy of Covid-19 be?

For more insight into the future of the global energy sector, watch John Defterios’ CNN documentary series, “The Global Energy Challenge.”

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Geopolitical Volatility & Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean

Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, faculty member of Tufts University’s, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Director of the Fletcher Initiative on Religion, Law and Diplomacy speaks on the 567th anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople. This auspicious day, as she puts it, brings to light the modern Neo-Ottoman imperialist plans that the Erdogan regime has been actively working on for many years.

As policy makers and scholars alike, increasingly refer to Turkey as a rogue state, it is time for the international community to address the “adventurist foreign policies” of the Erdogan government, which is threatening, not only Greek and Cypriot sovereignty, but stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as, NATO and global security.

Watch AHC’s interview in which Dr. Prodromou dissects Turkey’s actions, Erdogan’s ambitions to become a global hegemon and the possibility of a hot conflict this summer in Greek territory.

 

Read more about Dr. Prodromou’s professional experience and policy work here.

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Mike Manatos, President of Manatos & Manatos, speaks to the AHC about the evolution of Hellenic advocacy in the United States. With three generations of Manatos’s serving in or working with the Federal government and over 85 years of accumulated knowledge, Mr. Manatos and his father, Andy Manatos, play an integral role in advocating for our issues.

Over the years advocating for Hellenism, the Manatos’s have worked with many Greek American advocacy groups, from the AHEPA and the American Hellenic Institute, to the newer Hellenic American Leadership Council, as well as, the American Hellenic Council. After decades of collaboration, he has concluded that,

“I think one of the secrets to the Greek American lobby – even though the line that many like to use is, “If we were more united, we could do so much more,” – is that we are united in cause. Each organization has their own specialty. If each organization sticks to that and focuses on that and we support each other doing those things that we are best at, this is how we can be most powerful.

Family History: 85 years of advocacy

In this interview, Mr. Manatos discusses the Manatos family history and involvement in advocating for Greece and Cyprus in the U.S., including his namesake’s, Mike Manatos Sr., involvement in the prevention of the lesser known 1964 attempt at the invasion of Cyprus.

 

The Changing Perception of Greece and the Pivotal Moments that Brought us Here

He also discusses the changed political perception of Greece in the United States and the pivotal moments in the past 40 years that have led us to our current state of affairs.

The Eastern Mediterranean Agreement and the Making of a Philhellene, Senator Bob Menendez

While outlining the key elements of the Eastern Mediterranean Agreement, he emphasizes the integral role of Senator Bob Menendez and shares the Senator’s journey to becoming one of the Congress’s most prominent Philhellenes.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ State Visit

Most recently, Manatos & Manatos played an integral role in organizing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ January state visit to the United States. He shares his insights following that state visit.

Honoring Greek Contribution to WWII and Celebrating Modern-Day OXI Courage

Finally, Mr. Manatos introduce the Washington OXI Day Foundation, which he and his father, Andy Manatos co-founded in 2010, a nonprofit, 501c3 organization dedicated to informing American policymakers and the public about the profound role Greece played in bringing about the outcome of World War II and celebrating modern day heroes who exhibit the same courage as the Greeks did in continuing to fight to preserve and promote freedom and democracy around the world. This modern expression is best captivated by the concept “OXI Courage,” an internal strength and defiance of odds that transcends borders and cultures and speaks to human perseverance.

 

Watch the entire interview:

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American Hellenic Council Executive Director, Christianna Kontou, interviewed newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Mrs. Alexandra Papadopoulou, introducing her to the members of the Greek American diaspora.

Ambassador Papadopoulou addresses Greece’s response to the Coronavirus and Turkey’s aggression in the northern borders near Evros and projections for the future of Greece – U.S. relations.

Finally, Ambassador Papadopoulou’s final remarks were a message of hope:

We have survived throughout the centuries, because we are resilient and because in times of crisis, we do what we have to do.

It was sad that we didn’t celebrate the 25th of March, but we said next year, the 200th anniversary, it will be double the celebration.

And, of course it is sad not to be able to celebrate Easter and go to the Church, to have our traditional celebration with friends and with family, as we know, but I think we have to stay hopeful. I think first of all, we have to stay safe and to stay healthy.

Hope is around the corner, this will not last forever. Life will continue and prayer is a personal thing, God is everywhere, it’s in our hearts… after all, Resurrection is a message of hope. So, this is the message, we will celebrate next year.

 

Watch the full interview:

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For over forty years, the American Hellenic Institute has been fighting to uphold the rule of law in matters of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in our nation’s dealings with Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. Today, we spoke with Mr. Nick Larigakis, President of the AHI, who gave us his take on the current state of affairs in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

We are at an extremely important junction point. To put it simply, the ‘stars have aligned,’ and now is a good time to push through our policy priorities…As a community, we need to engage in constant outreach to our political leaders and the various policy centers of the U.S. government.

— Nick Larigakis, President of AHI

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#bOObs for Life is a compilation of visually portrayed stories about physical trauma, personal struggle, survival, and the celebration of life. The exhibition is the fruit of the collaborative work of photographer Sylvia Kouveli and artist Ted Meyer, presented with the support with the American Cancer Society.

In order to truly know our own body, love and accept it, we must first realize that there is no generic “normal”. There are no two boobs alike and there are female chests with saggy, perky, “cross-eyed” breasts, one breast or no breasts and all that is OK.

— Sylvia Kouveli

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In September 2017, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, traveled to Greece, just prior to her official trip to Armenia with Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

American Hellenic Council Executive Director, Ioannis Fidanakis, spoke with her about her experience.

 

In the past few years, there have been historic levels of bilateral cooperation between Greece and United States, especially in the area of counter-terrorism. The fact that there have not been any serious incidents of terrorism on Greek soil is a strong testament to the work we are doing, but obviously serious concerns and areas of improvement still exist. Minister Toskas shared with us the need to remain ever vigilant, as some terrorists may attempt to exploit the refugee crisis for their own objectives. He also expressed concern about the geopolitical instability that comes with sharing a border with Turkey, especially due to Turkish President Erdogan’s recent belligerent actions.

— Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard

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Dr James & Virginia Kallins

Dr. James and Virginia Kallins

Longtime stewards and servants of the Greek Community and Hellenism, Doctor James and Virginia Kallins have never forgotten their roots and an appreciation of blessings.

Doctor Kallins was the youngest of five children. He grew up on a small farm in the mountains of Arcadia in Greece, surviving multiple occupations during World War II. Seeing his village’s doctor caring for so many ill and injured inspired Doctor Kallins to study medicine at the University of Athens.

Hoping to become a surgeon, James then sailed to the USA and settled in Chicago, training in OB/GYN, surgery, and pathology at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, where he also served as an associate professor.

At a Greek Orthodox Church party, Dr. Kallins met his beloved wife, Virginia, nee Evgenia Lambropoulou, whom he married in 1957. Growing up in Chicago during the Great Depression, Virginia had lost her father and her older brother. Her mother spoke only Greek and supported herself and Virginia by knocking on doors, holding up a needle and thread to let people know she could sew. Fortunately, Virginia’s mother met and married Nicholas Mannos, loving stepfather to Virginia. Virginia’s mother encouraged her education, spurring her to become a Master Teacher mentoring others.

Dr. Kallins and his wife moved to California in 1959 where he launched his own medical practice. James encouraged his family to preserve their Greek culture, and honor charitable organizations in both the United States and Greece, which he fondly calls his “two countries and two mothers.” James and Virginia became the parents of three children (Barbara, George, and Nicholas) and now have five grandchildren (Anastasia, Evgenia, Dimitri, Nicholas and Eston).

Doctor Kallins retired from medicine in 1997, and continued the couple’s charitable initiatives, including serving as stewards for St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, Assumption in Long Beach, and as co-founders of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, named after Dr. Kallins’ father George Kallinteris.

Doctor Kallins was a member of the Cathedral’s Parish Council and a founder of the Hellenic Medical and Dental Society. He also founded the Alpha Beta Society – the Greek School – in Downey, and supported the Hellenic Library in Bellflower, California. Virginia worked closely with parents at St. Sophia Cathedral to reenergize the Greek Orthodox Youth of America.

When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, Dr. Kallins joined the Save Cyprus Council, flying to DC to advocate for safety and justice for Hellenes in Cyprus and Greece.

The tragic and untimely passing of the couple’s son, Nicholas, was a time of great sadness. However, James and Virginia used that difficult time as an opportunity to honor Nicholas’ life by establishing the Greek Orthodox Memorial and Cultural Foundation of Southern California, and the Saint Nicholas Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

The philanthropy of James and Virginia Kallins extended to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, the Archdiocese, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. As an Archon Exarchos in the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Doctor Kallins served as the Regional Archon Commander. He has been a member of the Metropolis and Archdiocesan Councils and served with the Pan Arcadian Federation on a local and national level. He was elected as Supreme President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation, helping to raise funds for a hospital in Tripoli, Greece. The couple was honored with the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award at the FDF Festival in 2013.

The American Hellenic Council takes great pleasure in honoring Doctor James and Virginia Kallins with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Doctor James Kallins and Virginia Kallins, thank you for your unwavering love and support of humanity and Hellenism, and for the promotion and preservation of our Greek culture and community in America.

Arianna Papalexopoulos

Yes, Hello, Hi! Arianna Papalexopoulos is a Greek-American actor, writer, producer, and comic based in Los Angeles, California. Both Arianna's undergraduate theatre degree from UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and masters degree in Digital Media from USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism have synergized to expand her lifelong comedy skills into rewarding content.

Arianna has produced and starred in numerous short films that have premiered at various festivals around the globe. Her latest short films, Como, Ti Amo and Greek Enough display the tradition of excellence in filmmaking. Building on this success, she produced and acted in her first feature film, Jaunt, which took home the Audience Award at the 2024 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.

Arianna is currently fresh off a Canadian, Midwest, and Florida stand up comedy tour where she opened for fellow Greek comic, Angelo Tsarouchas. In addition, she performed her comedy set and hosted the 18th Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Orpheus Awards. Arianna recently received the Greek America's Forty Under 40 award in New York City and was also selected as a “Modern Muse” speaker at the

Hellenic American Women's Council in Los Angeles, which celebrated Contemporary Hellenic American Women in the Arts.

Arianna's popular digital content celebrates both her roots and the experiences of American immigrants and their first-generation children. Arianna’s most notable character, Greek Mom, has garnered her almost 1 million followers collectively across all her social media platforms and continues to generate dozens of millions of views.

Apart from performing, you can find Arianna on the islands or mountains of Greece, cheering on the Golden State Warriors, or getting lost off the 101 Freeway.

Instagram & TikTok: @ariannapapalexopoulos

Hon. Ambassador of USA in Greece, George Tsunis

Hon. Ambassador of USA in Greece, George Tsunis

Mr. George J. Tsunis was the United States Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic for 3 years. During is successful term, Greek officials/partners speedily approved American requests critical for U.S. and NATO operations in Greece. With the signing of a $3.54 billion agreement for 20 American F-35 fighters, Greece was able to modernize its military. Following multiple collaborations with governments in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Greece became a leader promoting energy connectivity and resiliency in the EU. Mr. Tusnis efforts promoted the Greek Prime Minister’s almost two-year political rappochement with Turkey, enhancing peace and stability in the region. Mr. Tsunis was awarded the Order of Phoenix by the Foreign Minister to The Hellenic Republic, George Gerapetritis during his three-year tenure as Ambassador.

Mr. Tsunis is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell Hotels as well as an attorney, developer, philanthropist and public policy advisor with a strong interest at the intersection of economic and foreign affairs. Chartwell Hotels owns and manages Hilton, Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group franchises across the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states. The firm also focuses community renewal, supporting tourism, business travel and investment dollars.

Mr. Tsunis’ public service includes time as a Legislative Attorney at the New York City Council, Special Counsel to the Town of Huntington (NY) Environmental Open Space Committee and Counsel to the Dix Hills (NY) Water District. He was appointed by Senator Alfonse D’Amato and served as an advisor to the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. Tsunis served in the cabinet of the Governor of the State of New York and served on the Board of Directors of four New York State Public Benefit Cooperations.

Mr. Tsunis was a director of the New York Convention Center’s (Jacob Javits Center) Operating Committee and Director of the New York Convention Center’s Development Committee. Mr. Tsunis’ tenure as director came at a seminal time – during a 1.5 million sq. ft. expansion – transforming Javits into one of the world’s most modern and beautiful convention centers.

In 2021, His Eminence Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, appointed Mr. Tsunis as the Vice-Chairman of the national coordinating committee for the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution of 1821, organizing nationwide festivities and commemorative events to be held throughout the year to honor the revolution’s bicentennial. Mr. Tsunis was a founding trustee of the Hellenic Initiative, a global movement of the Greek diaspora, investing in the future of Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization. The Hellenic Initiative empowers people to provide crisis relief, encourage entrepreneurs and create jobs. Mr. Tsunis was also a founding member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, a national civic advocacy organization, and until recently served as the organization’s National Vice Chairman. HALC comprises a national network of Greek American community leaders to encourage an active form of citizenship committed to the Hellenic American ideals of democracy, rule of law, and philanthropy. Mr. Tsunis has also served on the Board of Directors of the Coordinated Efforts of Hellenes (CEH), a national umbrella organization for the major Greek-American advocacy organizations.

Mr. Tsunis was recognized by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios with the Saint Paul’s Medal, the Greek Orthodox Church of America’s highest recognition for a layperson. Mr. Tsunis is a member of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest ecclesiastical honor that can be bestowed upon a layman by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Mr. Tsunis was the recipient of the Cyprus Federation’s Justice for Cyprus Award, which was personally awarded to him by the President of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, in 2010. In 2012, President Christofias presented Mr. Tsunis with a plaque of sterling silver olive branches, signifying peace. This award is traditionally reserved for heads of state. In 2013, the new President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, similarly honored Mr. Tsunis for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of the children of Cyprus.

In 2017, Mr. Tsunis was the recipient of the Athens-Wishner Award jointly presented by the American Jewish Committee (“AJC”) and Hellenic American Leadership Council (“HALC”) for his dedication to Greco-Israeli-Cypriot relations.

Mr. Tsunis received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Tsunis established the James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship at Hofstra University, the George J. Tsunis Scholarship at the Maurice Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, the James George Tsunis Memorial Scholarship at Pennsylvania College of Technology and the George James Tsunis ’92 and the Karloutsos Scholarships at St. John’s University’s School of Law and created the James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Mr. Tsunis also underwrote the James and Eleni Tsunis Library at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons in honor of his parents. In 2019, the Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York named Mr. Tsunis as its honoree for his dedication to professional development in the Hellenic community.

Mr. Tsunis and his wife, Olga live in Matinecock, NY, with their three children. It is a great honor for the American Hellenic Council to welcome Ambassador Tsunis to Los Angeles and our Annual Gala and award him the AHC Aristeion Award.

Christos Vassilopoulos

Christos Vasilopoulos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He started acting at the age of 17 as a stage actor and graduated from the "Iasmos" Athens Drama School. Christos was one of the few young actors who worked professionally during his drama school years.
Two years after his graduation, he became a member of the National Theatre of Greece, where he performed for four years. After seven years of continuous work in theatre and TV commercials, Christos landed a series of regular roles on one of the biggest daily shows of that time, taking his career to the next level.

During the first 14 years of his career, having worked on major TV shows and collaborated with some of the most renowned theatre directors in Greece, he decided to transition to the United States. His credits in the U.S. include films, campaigns, commercials, recurring roles on the hit shows Banshee (created by Alan Ball) and The Last Ship, as well as guest-star roles on The Closer, Blindspot, Whiskey Cavalier, Warrior, and Kabul.

Christos holds a 3rd dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He served in the Greek Special Forces as a marine and attained the rank of sergeant. He rarely uses a stunt double.

Alongside his fellow actor and friend Yorgos Karamichos, Christos translated Ivana Chubbuck’s The Power of the Actor into Greek—one of the most influential books on modern acting techniques. He is also the only Greek-certified acting coach trained by Ivana Chubbuck.

For the past five years, Christos has been working as a creative producer on films and TV shows.