AHEPA
SALUTES THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT; THREE OUTSTANDING GREEK AMERICANS
Olympian Tom Pappas proudly displays the 2004 Harry Agganis Award.
With him are (l-r): Archbishop Demetrios, Supreme President A. Jack Georgalas, Pappas, and Supreme Vice President Franklin Manios.
WASHINGTON-
The Olympic Spirit was alive and well at the 36th AHEPA
Biennial
National Banquet, February 16, 2004.
The program was themed "Honoring the Olympic
Spirit" and it featured a variety of Olympians of Greek heritage from
different generations, from the world's oldest living Olympian, Peter
Clentzos,
to this summer's favorite to win Gold in the Decathlon, U.S.
World
Champion Tom Pappas.
Pappas
was honored with the Harry Agganis Award for excellence in the
Field
of athletics. The 26
year old is the reigning World Champion in the
Decathlon
and the Indoor Heptathlon.
The
six-foot five-inch, 210-pound champion stood like a giant when called
To
the podium by Supreme Vice President Franklin Manios to receive the Harry
Agganis
Award.
"I'll
do everything I can to bring the Gold home," he said.
Pappas was
grateful
to AHEPA for its support of him and his siblings throughout their
athletic
careers.
Professional
Excellence, AHEPA Saluted
Two
other outstanding Greek Americans received accolades that evening:
Mr.
Andrew S. Natsios, administrator, United States Agency for International
Development
(USAID) and Dr. E.G. Stassinopoulos, astrophysicist, National
Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA).
Natsios
was the recipient of the Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award for
his
work in leading USAID during the past three years.
He also served as
the
Master of Ceremonies.
"He
is responsible for the oversight of the monumental task of providing
economic
and humanitarian assistance to over 100 countries in order to
make
a better life for all," said Supreme President A. Jack Georgalas in
his
surprise
presentation of the award to Natsios.
"It is our honoree, Mr
Natsios,
himself a member of AHEPA, who represents the United States in
all
of these worthy endeavors, and we are proud of him."
Dr.
Stassinopoulos was the recipient of the Aristotle Award for the
international
recognition received for his scientific work by his
colleagues
and for excellence in his profession.
An employee of NASA for 43 years,
he
has had many achievements during his career.
Visibly
moved by the award, he expressed his gratitude to AHEPA, to his
colleagues
and to his family for the honor. Dr.
Stassinopoulos also
offered
his respects to those whose path he followed.
"I
would like to pay my respects to our great Hellenic forefathers who
laid
the foundations upon which subsequent generations met the alienisms of
science,
medicine, engineering, and technology that have flourished
throughout
modern culture," he said. "As
a youth, I read with pride about
the
discoveries, inventions and achievements of our fellow Hellenes."
Senator
Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD) praised AHEPA for its charitable,
educational,
and civic work. Specifically,
the senior senator from
Maryland
touched upon the AHEPA's Senior Housing Program, Scholarship Program, and
the
diligent work of the organization's Cyprus and Hellenic Affairs
Committee.
Sen.
Sarbanes also addressed the enormous challenges facing Greece on the
eve
of the Olympic Games, especially one of the smallest countries to host
the
Games, but added that he feels that Greece will do a wonderful job.
"I
look forward to Greece staging a wonderful Olympics," he said.
Keynote
Speaker Professor Alexander Kitroeff provided an eloquent
description
of the history of the revival of the modern Olympic Games and
the
contributions of the Diaspora Greeks to the Modern Games.
As the
author
of the newly released book "Wrestling with the Ancients: Modern Greek
Identity
and the Olympics," Prof. Kitroeff's keynote address was as timely
as
it was germane to the theme of the banquet.
(http://www.greekworks.com/english/release_kitroeff.asp)
"The
Greek Diaspora has played a crucial role in Greece's efforts to
support
the revival of the Ancient Games, off the athletic field but also on
it,"
he
said.
His
Eminence Archbishop Demetrios masterfully tied in one of the great
attributes
of the Olympic Movement with the theme of the evening-the
principle
of peace.
"We
see the Olympics as an opportunity by projecting this highest possible
human
value," said His Eminence. "Here,
tonight, by dedicating this
evening
to the spirit of the Olympics, you dedicate the evening to the spirit of
human
excellence, and to the spirit of a constant unyielding pursuit of
peace,
here and everywhere."
In
concluding remarks, Supreme President A. Jack Georgalas offered that
the
program brought to the forefront the invaluable contributions of the
ancient
Greeks through those who were represented on the dais that evening.
"We
have outstanding examples of Hellenes who represent the best of what
our
ancestors contributed to Western Civilization," he said.
"We have with us
fine
individuals who lead in government, athletics, civic service, the
sciences,
education, and in Hellenism."
As
a prelude to the program, the angelic voices of children, some of who
were
not Greek, projected Olympic hymns and anthems that entertained the
audience.
They also reenacted a stirring rendition of the ceremonial
Torch
lighting that is held in Olympia prior to each Olympic Games.
Banquet
Chairman
and Chapter 31 President Tassos Vassilas organized this endearing
portion
of the program.
A
Greek American, Staff Sgt. William Kanteres, led "The President's
Own"
United
States Marine Corps Band which played patriotic hymns and state
songs
that excited the crowd upon their entrance into the ballroom.
