| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Hellenic News of America | |
| 26 West Chester Pike Havertown, PA 19083 | |
| tel: 610-446-1463 fax: 610-446-3189 | |
| Contact us |
Velas Tours
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
AHEPA Commends Hellenic Caucus Initiative to Restore Funding for Voice of America Greek ServiceAHEPA Commends Hellenic Caucus Initiative to Restore Funding for Voice of America Greek Service AHEPA Voiced Its Concern in Written Testimony to House Panel WASHINGTON, DC (June 17, 2009)—The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation¢s three million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and countless Philhellenes, commends the initiative of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues to generate the support of their colleagues to restore $500,000 in federal funding for the Voice of America Greek Service for Fiscal Year 2010. Ten members of the Hellenic Caucus, led by Co-Chairs Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), signed a letter sent yesterday to House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX), requesting the restoration of the program¢s funding. “The Greek Service is extremely crucial to the American Hellenic community and to the United States¢ interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans,” said National President Ike Gulas. “It plays a significant role in communicating an accurate message to a part of the world that is situated on the doorsteps of the Middle East and the Balkans.” He added, “We thank the leadership of the Hellenic Caucus for spearheading this initiative. Furthermore, we commend the Hellenic Caucus members who voiced their concern about the elimination of the program. The community is grateful.” In addition to Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Maloney and Bilirakis, Subcommittee on Europe Chairman Robert Wexler (D-FL), Reps. Zack Space (D-OH), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Henry Brown, Jr. (R-SC), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) co-signed the letter. In March 2009, Gulas submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, requesting the federal government restore FY10 funding for the Voice of America Greek Service. The testimony has been entered into the Public Record. “The Greek Service is constantly targeted for elimination and that just doesn¢t make sense,” added Gulas, who said the TV broadcast portion receives a 4.5% viewer rating in Greece, and that combined with radio and the Internet, the Service is viewed or heard by one million persons. Ratings for Cyprus are unable to be surveyed due to improper funding. “It makes it extremely difficult for the Greek Service to plan for the future, secure syndicates overseas, and keep staff when its future is uncertain.” The last two fiscal years, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs has restored funding for the Greek Service under Rep. Lowey¢s chairmanship. “We look to the Chairwoman¢s leadership again this year to correct this budget shortfall,” said Gulas. “We deeply appreciate her previous support for this government program.” To view AHEPA¢s testimony, and a copy of the House letter, please visit www.ahepa.org/mainnews. The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. AHEPA was established in 1922 by visionary Greek-Americans to protect all from prejudice from the KKK. In its history, AHEPA has joined with the NAACP and B¢nai B¢rith International to fight discrimination. It has grown to become the largest membership-based association for Hellenic-Americans and Philhellenes in the world. For more information about AHEPA, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300, or visit www.ahepa.org.
|
Print Article© 2010 Hellenic News of America, Inc. - All Rights Reserved