News Archives - American Hellenic Council of California

15

December

AHC meets with Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, Dr. Vassiliki Kassianidou and the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, Hon. Evangelos Savva

December 15, 2024 Alex Mizan Announcements, Event, News ambassador , cyrpus , hellenic council

The Ambassador of Cyprus to the US, Hon. Evangelos Savva discusses with members of the American Hellenic Council in December 2024.

On December 11, members of the community and many members of the American Hellenic Council met with Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, Dr. Vassiliki Kassianidou and the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, Hon. Evangelos Savv a on their visit to Los Angeles.

During the meeting, organized and hosted by Honorary Consul General of Cyprus in Los Angeles and founding member of the AHC, Mr. Andreas Kyprianides, members of the AHC and guests discussed political action and beyond with the guests. In attendance at the meeting was also the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, Hon. Christina Valassopoulou.

Dr. Kassianidou informed the attendees that her newly created department in the Ministry of Culture in involved with getting ancient antiquities repatriated in Cyprus, promoting film productions in Cyprus and providing support to Cypriot artists to promote Cypriot culture and arts. She informed us that her visit to Los Angeles was with educational institutions and with the Getty Foundation to discuss relevant items.

Mr. Savva talked extensively with our group about the activities of the Embassy of Cyprus on Capitol Hill and suggested political action that the AHC and members of the Greek and Cypriot American community in Los Angeles can take with regards to meeting with locally-elected Federal officials. He mentioned the importance of California as the largest state in the Union and one of the most important economies in the world. He encouraged our members to continue networking and being involved with the business and political community and discuss the benefits of technology and media companies located in California making investments in Cyprus. In turn, several members of the community discussed what action we have been taking and asked how else the diaspora can be of assistance to Cyprus.

8

December

AHC meets with Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), discusses US foreign policy in Eastern Mediterranean

December 8, 2024 Alex Mizan Announcements, Hellenic Caucus, News

AHC Board Member Konstantine Kabilafkas with Congressman Brad Sherman during the latter’s 70th Birthday Party

AHC members met with Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) in late October 2024 at an event that coincided with the Congressman’s 70th birthday and discussed a variety of issues ranging from Cyprus, relations between Greece with its neighbors, in particular Turkey, North Macedonia and Albania.

Congressman Sherman has been on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee for decades and has been a staunch supporter of human rights, international law and the NATO alliance in Congress. He is very familiar with the history of the area of the Eastern Mediterranean. In the late 1990s, he authored a Resolution on the Catastrophe of Smyrna, which was co-signed by then Congress Members, Carolyn Maloney and Michael Bilirakis.

In our discussions, Congressman Sherman pointed out that the US is now providing Greece with a “Qualitative Advantage,” over Turkey, in weapons with the upgraded F-16s, the F-35s and the Constellation Frigates in which program Greece will be a production participant. He expressed his concern for anti-Semitic language recently used by Recep Erdogan in public statements and his support for ejecting Turkey and keeping her out of the F-35 program due to Turkey’s purchase of the S-300 missiles.

We discussed with him recent security developments around the Eastern Mediterranean, in particular Cyprus, Greece, Nagoro-Karabach, Libya and Syria and he asked us to keep him informed in the future.

19

November

What does a second Trump presidency mean for Greek national security issues?

November 19, 2024 Alex Mizan Articles, News Cyprus , greece , national security , trump presidency , us relations

By Ioannis Fidanakis, former Executive Director of the American Hellenic Council.

On November 5th, the American people cast their ballots for the 47th President of the United States, and to the surprise of many, former president Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, winning both the electoral college and the popular vote. The decisive victory has since sent shockwaves throughout the country and around the world. For those of us interested in Greek national issues, you may be wondering what a second Trump Presidency might mean for Greek-U.S. relations and the wider eastern Mediterranean region, and the truth is, we have nothing to fear. Although his critics often brand him as reckless and isolationist, Trump’s “America First” approach is a strategy of restraint, in which the United States only intervenes when its core security interests are at stake. This means no more costly and prolonged military engagements and ‘nation-building’ projects in secondary theaters. A second Trump Presidency will likely focus on challenging China, Russia, and Iran in strategic core regions, such as the eastern Mediterranean.

Greeks and Greek-Americans alike can rest assured that relations will remain stable and essential. In fact, Trump’s return may be an opportunity for Greece to strengthen its current position in the region and further develop soft power in the Levant and the Balkans. While the rest of Europe may be bracing themselves for Trump 2.0, Greeks should remember that our bilateral relations with the United States are deeply rooted in shared national interests that transcend partisan politics. Greece is home to the strategically crucial U.S. Naval base at Souda Bay and, therefore, vital to American national security. During the previous Trump administration, Athens and Washington maintained excellent relations, with President Trump signing the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act into law and the U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act. Unlike other NATO allies, Greece was, and still is, viewed as a loyal and reliable partner that pays its financial obligations to NATO.

In regards to the eastern Mediterranean, it is safe to assume that the new Trump administration will once again hold Turkish President Erdogan accountable for his aggressive and unlawful behavior. Although President Erdogan may view Trump’s re-election as a chance to restart U.S.-Turkish relations, it’s doubtful that he will be able to convince the new administration to support his delusional “Blue Homeland” doctrine or to betray Cypriot sovereignty. During his previous presidency, Trump was no friend of Turkey and displayed his willingness to levy sanctions and even threaten to destroy the Turkish economy to challenge Erdogan’s agenda. Given Trump’s recent cabinet nominations, it’s reasonable to believe that Erdogan’s hope for warmer relations may rely on his willingness to tone down his rhetoric and aggressive posturing.

Since winning the election, the President-elect has nominated several critics of the Erdogan regime to high-ranking Cabinet positions, such as Florida Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Congressman Michael Waltz as his National Security Adviser. Senator Rubio himself has a legislative track record of working with the Greek-American community, co-authoring the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act and the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act.

As the world grapples with the return of Donald Trump, Athens should see the incoming administration as an opportunity to strengthen its regional position and develop further economic and cultural influence in the eastern Mediterranean. The new Trump administration will be looking to bolster its regional partnerships to counter Russian, Chinese, and Iranian influence. As a loyal and reliable regional partner and a newly appointed member of the United Nations Security Council for the next two years, Greece is in a unique position. We could see a resurgence of American support for the EastMed pipeline and a strengthening of Greek and Cypriot EEZ rights. But more than that, Greece could, if it wanted, play a pivotal role in assisting the new administration in ending the war in Gaza, thereby enhancing our diplomatic standing in the region and, most importantly, among the native Greek Orthodox population of the Levant.

17

November

Congratulations to Tulsi Gabbard for being nominated as Director of National Intelligence by President-elect Trump

November 17, 2024 Melanie Pleasant Announcements

Tulsi Gabbard at the 2019 AHC Awards Gala along with Consul General of Greece Evgenia Beniatoglou, AHC Benefactors Demos & Carol Anagnos, and Honorary Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides with spouse Mika

The American Hellenic Council would like to congratulate our 2019 Pericles Award Honoree for being nominated as Director of National Intelligence in the incoming Administration. Ms. Gabbard has been a friend of US Allies in the Eastern Mediterranean. She has served in the US Military and has traveled in the region extensively and has spoken favorably for Greece, Cyprus and Israel and against aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean. She had spoken with our Executive Director at the time about her trip to the region. She was honored by the AHC in 2019 with the Pericles Award.

Tulsi Gabbard has served as a Lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2021. She also served in the Hawaii Army National Guard from 2003 to 2020. Before being nominated as the Director of National Intelligence by President Trump, she served as U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021.

Gabbard also ran for president in the 2020 Democratic Primaries. She was the first Samoan-American member of Congress. Gabbard was also the youngest woman elected to the Hawaii state legislature. The 2019 Pericles Award Honoree left the Democratic Party in October 2022 to become an independent before joining the Republican Party in 2024.

9

November

Congratulations to the Six Greek-American Congressional Seat Winners

November 9, 2024 Melanie Pleasant News

We are pleased to announce that six of the seven Greek-Americans who participated in Tuesday’s Congressional race have won. Our congratulations goes to re-elected candidates Nicole Malliotakis, Chris Pappas, Dina Titus, and Gus Bilirakis and newcomers Mike Haridopolos and Maggie Goodlander.

About the Representatives

Nicole Malliotakis

Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis won back her seat in the 11th New York Congressional District with more than 95 percent of the vote against Democratic candidate Andrea Morse. This is her third term in office. Before serving in Congress, Malliotakis served on the New York State Assembly from the 64th district from 2011 to 2021. She was baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church.

Chris Pappas

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas from Manchester, New Hampshire secured his congressional seat with 54 percent of the vote. This will be his fourth term. He has now officially won his seat more times consecutively than any other candidate has in the past four decades. He was the Treasurer of Hillsborough County from 2007 to 2011. He is affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Dina Titus

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus won her seat in the 1st District of Nevada with 51 percent of the vote. Since 2013, Titus has represented Nevada’s 1st Congressional District. Between 2009 and 2011, she represented Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District in the US House of Representatives. Titus’ political history also includes service in the Nevada Senate from 1993 to 2009. The Greek-American Congresswoman comes from a long line of politicians. She was born and raised in Georgia. Her parents are of Greek descent.

Gus Bilirakis

Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis won back his seat in the 12th Congressional District of Florida with more than 71 percent of the vote. He is integral in the Hellenic Caucus on Capital Hill. The lawmaker is passionate about preserving the American dream for future generations. Bilirakis was born in Gainesville, Florida, and grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida. His father served in Congress from 1983 to 2007. The lawmaker helped his dad run his campaigns.

Mike Haridopolos

Newcomer Republican Rep. Mike Haridopolos won his first ever congressional seat in Florida’s 8th district, which also happens to be the state’s only open seat this cycle. His passions are rooted in fighting against illegal immigration, restoring our economy, and protecting our national security. Haridopolos co-authored the book The Modern Republican Party in Florida along with Peter Dunbar in 2019. Previously, he served in the Florida Senate and was President of the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2012. He also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2003.

Maggie Goodlander

New to Congress, Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander won her first congressional seat in the 2nd District of New Hampshire with 53 percent of the vote. She is of Greek origin and comes from the Tamposi family, a family with extensive experience in politics. Goodlander graduated from Yale College in 2009. She worked as a senior foreign policy advisor for U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain.

6

November

AHC meeting with Adonis Georgiadis, Greek Minister of Health in Athens

November 6, 2024 Alex Mizan Announcements, Breaking News, Greek Government

Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georggiadis with AHC Board Member Alexander Mizan after a meeting in Athens in October 2024

Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis with AHC Board Member Alexander Mizan during a meeting in Athens in October 2024

On Friday October 25, Alexander Mizan, Board Member of the American Hellenic Council met with Greek Minister of Health and vice president of the New Democracy Party Adonis Georgiadis and his close advisor Stamatis Poulis.

“We had a productive discussion with the Minister and his advisor” said AHC Board Member Alexander Mizan.

“We went beyond discussing strictly issues on the agenda of the Ministry, touching on issues such as geopolitics in the broader region, which is an issue of concern for the Greek-American community. The minister was very supportive of the cooperation between Greece, the United States and Israel in the eastern Mediterranean region. We also discussed how the Greek diaspora can work as a bridge between the government of the United States and Greece in fostering better relations between the two countries in the future. Another topic of discussion was the upcoming election and I was impressed by the in-depth knowledge of the Minister about the internal politics of the United States.”

The AHC in the past held fundraising efforts to donate medical equipment for a hospital in Greece that was in need. Mr. Georgiadis and the AHC pledged to work together to foster better relations in the future and keep the lines of communication open to build on the ties between the Greek-American community and the Greek government.

“In unity there is strength” said Mizan. “We have better results when we work together with the Greek government or at minimum we share views and coordinate action.”

2

November

AHC meeting with Greek Alt. Minister of Sports and Greek MP from Cyclades Ioannis Vroutsis

November 2, 2024 Alex Mizan Announcements, Articles, Breaking News, Greek Government, News AHC , greek government , hellenic council

Ioannis Vroutsis Alternate Minister for Sports in Greece meeting with AHC Alexander Mizan

Alexander Mizan, AHC Board Member meeting with Alternate Minister for Sports in Greece and MP for Cyclades, Ioannis Vroutsis

In late October 2024, representative of the American Hellenic Council and Board Member Alexander Mizan, met with Greek Alt. Minister of Sports and Member of Parliament from Cyclades Ioannis Vroutsis.

The meeting with the Minister comes upon the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and as Los Angeles, becomes the next host city of the Summer Olympic Games in 2028 for LA2028. The AHC has a long history of being founded and headquartered in Los Angeles since 1974.

It was part of a broader trip to Greece to foster closer relations between the American Hellenic Council, the Greek diaspora and the Government of Greece.

During the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, the AHC was active in welcoming the Greek athlete delegation and being instrumental in assisting on the ground. “We are hoping we can play a similar role in the LA2028 Olympic Games” AHC board member Alexander Mizan said.

“I mentioned to the minister and his team that the Greek-American community of Los Angeles is willing and ready to be present and assist the Greek Olympic Team Sports delegation. We can assist when it comes to organizing a hospitality venue or with anything else that might arise during or in preparation of Greece’s participation in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028”

MP Vroutsis is also elected with high winning margins in the district of Cyclades, a favorite tourist destination for many Greek-Americans but also Americans.

He has been instrumental in representing his district in the Greek Parliament and advocating for maintaining the traditional character of the islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos, his home island. The Cyclades are attractive areas for visits but also for foreign direct investment in the hospitality and real estate business.

“We had a great opportunity to meet with Mr. Vroutsis and his team and we look forward to keeping the lines of communication open for any contacts between Los Angeles and the Cyclades”.

1

November

AHC attends event for Matt Gunderson (R), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA4)

November 1, 2024 Alex Mizan Announcements, News

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) with AHC Board Member Konstantine Kabilafkas and candidate for California’s 49th District Matt Gunderson (R) at an event in Orange County in October

AHC Board Member Konstantine Kabilafkas attended an event held for US House Candidate Matt Gunderson (R) who is currently running in the upcoming election for California’s 49th District, covering areas in south Orange County and North San Diego County.

The event was well attended and Mr. Kabilafkas had the chance to discuss Hellenic issues with the attendees, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA4) and Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL5).

“I had the opportunity to raise the most important issues concerning Greece and Cyprus with all the attendees and especially Congressman Strong, whom i spoke with for more than 10 minutes about Turkish unreliability as a NATO ally.” said Board Member Kabilafkas.

With the upcoming Presidential election around the corner, It’s very important we approach both sides of the aisle in our effort to discuss issues of concert to the Greek and Cypriot American community.

23

April

Open Position Executive Director AHC (Part Time)

April 23, 2024 American Hellenic Position Opening Executive Director (Part-time)

American Hellenic Council of California

Position Announcement – Executive Director (Part-Time)

Position Description:

The American Hellenic Council (AHC) is seeking a dynamic, energetic, responsible, and self-starting individual to serve as its Executive Director on a part-time basis. The Executive Director will serve as the face of the AHC, and liaison between the Board of Directors, public officials, and community members. The individual should have familiarity with the Greek Communities of California, and with the major issues identified for political advocacy for Greece, Cyprus, and Hellenes around the world.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Working closely with the AHC President and Board of Directors, support the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan, annual priorities, and critical issue areas for action or advocacy.
Assist the Board President and Advocacy Committee with coordinating outreach to elected officials and their staff on advocacy priorities, coordinate in-person and virtual meetings with legislative offices, work with relevant Board members to develop talking points and meeting materials.
Staff office, handle all administrative responsibilities including responding to phone calls and emails on behalf of the organization.
Maintain organizational contact lists in Constant Contact and draft, format, and distribute biweekly newsletter.
Revise, maintain, and update the AHC Website using WordPress. Work with Board members and other partners to develop written articles and other content relevant to the organization’s mission for the website.
Handle all membership activities on an ongoing basis, including renewal of membership status, collection of dues, updating donor lists, etc. Implement a system for automating dues payment and donations via the AHC Website.
Spearhead donor development efforts, build new relationships and expand fundraising partnerships and opportunities in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
Collaborate with partner organizations in organizing joint events.
Coordinate and implement all aspects of the organization’s Annual Awards Gala. This includes supporting the Board in securing honorees, reserving location, coordinating food, decorations, program development, videos, invitations, seating, fundraising, etc.

Requirements:

Proven record of working independently while exercising good judgment and professionalism; strong writing and research skills; excellent communication skills; ability to work with elected officials, community organizations, and members of the public; and proficiency with traditional office software programs.

Preferred: A degree from an accredited college or university; minimum of two (2) years professional experience in political advocacy, public affairs, or related field.

Schedule:

Hours are flexible. Support will be needed as follows:

Part-time (50%) ten (10) months per year;
Full-time (100%) two (2) months per year (leading up to annual Gala Fundraiser)

*Note: Monthly meetings of Board of Directors and occasional other events will be on weekends or after business hours.

Salary:

50% time: $2000/month
100% time $4000/month

Telework:

This is a hybrid position. The individual may work remotely at the direction of the Board of Directors. In-person presence will be required for monthly meetings and occasional other events and convenings on an as-needed basis.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit cover letter and resume to ychassiakos@outlook.com

All applications will be screened by the Search Committee of the AHC Board of Directors; all information will be kept confidential by the Board of Directors and not released to the public or the general membership without written consent of the applicant.

About the AHC:

The American Hellenic Council is a 501(c)3 non-partisan political advocacy organization established in 1974 with the goal of promoting democracy, human rights, peace, and stability in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, with an emphasis on Greece and Cyprus. 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 sole purpose is to advocate the U.S. Congress for the protection and promotion of Greek-American interests

5

January

Cypriot – American Andreas Farmakalidis is a candidate for LAUSD Board

January 5, 2024 American Hellenic Announcements, Breaking News, Community, News, Young Professionals

Andreas Farmakalidis, a longtime Los Angeles resident, and member of the AHC announced recently his intention to run for Los Angeles Unified School District Board in District 3, comprising of several areas in the San Fernando Valley..

The AHC is proud for Andreas’ venture into public life and urges its members who vote in the LAUSD District 3 to support his candidacy in the upcoming elections. Andreas brings a wealth of experience and dedication to education, making him a strong contender for the upcoming elections. With a proven track record in education advocacy and a deep-rooted commitment to enhancing the quality of education for all students, Farmakalidis is poised to make a significant impact in District 3.

As an educator with 15 years of experience, Farmakalidis has demonstrated his passion for fostering innovative learning environments. His tenure as music educator in all levels of education, business owner, LAUSD vendor, rotarian, freemason and executive director of the chamber of commerce, underscores his unwavering commitment to promoting student success and educational equity.

Farmakalidis, hailing from Cyprus, is deeply rooted in his Greek heritage. Raised by both Greek parents, his upbringing was immersed in the rich culture of music, sparking his passion for it at a young age. He delved into music studies early on, finding joy in playing Greek melodies in several instruments mainly piano, percussion and bass. At 18, he fulfilled his mandatory military service, joining the Greek army, where his musical talents led him to become a respected officer in the military band. Beyond music, Andreas has a penchant for Greek and Cypriot cuisine, indulging in cooking these traditional dishes. His musical journey expanded to collaborations with renowned Greek singers, and upon relocating to California, he engaged in shows and partnerships with the globally acclaimed Greek vocalist, Alexia Vassiliou, further amplifying his musical footprint.

Farmakalidis’ vision for LAUSD District 3 encompasses fostering an inclusive educational environment where every child has access to quality education. His priorities are strengthening support for music and arts programs essential for holistic development and enhancing resources for special education to ensure tailored learning experiences for all. Moreover he aims to maintain fiscal responsibility to sustain these initiatives, ensuring equitable distribution of resources. His innovative strategies aim to create an inclusive, supportive, and high-achieving educational system for every student in the district.

As the election approaches, Andreas Farmakalidis stands ready to bring positive change and meaningful progress to LAUSD District 3. We invite you to learn more about his vision for edu–cation and the community. The AHC endorses Andreas’ efforts and encourages our members to go out and vote and support his candidacy. For more information, reach out to @farmakalidis, his website or his campaign at 818-450-6014.

Archive

About the Representatives

Nicole Malliotakis

Chris Pappas

Dina Titus

Gus Bilirakis

Mike Haridopolos

Maggie Goodlander

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