June 8, 2005

The Hellenic-American Institute and the Hellenic American National Council honoured former President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Stephanopoulos with the awards “Contribution to the Hellenic Heritage” and “National Public Service” at a special event that took place at a central Athens hotel on 7 June.

Present at the event were Archbishop of America Dimitrios; Foreign Deputy Ministers P. Skandalakis and E. Stylianidis; the former Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament A. Kaklamanis; former ministers G. Papantoniou and T. Pangalos; the American Ambassador in Hellas Charles Ries, ambassadors and other personalities of the Hellenic and American Society.

Prefacing the event, Hellenic American Institute head in Hellas I. Malevitis described Mr Stephanopoulos “an honest, sincere, courageous and uncompromising voice, a voice of the Nation and citizens”.

In his short address, the founder and President of the Hellenic American Institute Eugene Rossides referred to the objectives and accomplishments of the organisation, “the only body of the omogenia that can promote our national issues in the USA” as he put it.

Mr Rossides described Hellenic American relations excellent and pointed out that the USA with acts should strive to take initiatives on our national issues, such as the Cyprus issue and the issue of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

“The USA must cooperate with Hellas on the cultural and intellectual sector” he stressed.

The President of the Hellenic American Institute, who is one of the most experienced and most important supporters of our national issues, spoke about the organisation’s course until today. The organisation was established shortly after the Turkish invasion in Cyprus and aimed at promoting our national issues, as well as briefing the political leaderships in the US and Hellas on the political developments taking place in the American imperium.

He also referred to continuous monitoring of the Media in the US and their briefing on issues that concern Hellas.

Hellenic American National Council President Theodoros Spyropoulos praised Mr Stephanoulos’ presence in Hellas’ political life and said: “Mr Stephanopoulos was the voice we expatriate Hellenes looked for, a voice with no political party undertones. He was the one who spoke about lost homelands in N. Epirus and elsewhere. In his face we found a man supporting us in the present and the future” he said.

The American Ambassador to Athens also praised the former President of the Hellenic Republic, stressing that during his tenure of presidency Hellenic American relations improved very much.

In his address, Hellenic American Institute Executive Director N. Larigakis stressed the following: “Today’s event is the beginning of an institution that we shall continue in the future, honouring people who have supported Hellenism. It is a bridge that we are founding with the Hellene Americans and be sure that whatever we can do we shall do”.

Receiving the awards from Messrs Rossides and Spyropoulos, Mr Stephanopoulos thanked warmly the bodies of the omogenia for honoring him.

The renowned expatriate Hellene artist Nadia Wymbergh sang Hellenic and English songs.