Leaders of Largest Greek American Association
Displeased with Management of Greek
Independence Day Event at White House
Thursday, March 26, 2009
| The National President of the largest and oldest Greek heritage grass roots association sent a letter to President Barack Obama today expressing displeasure over the management of Greek Independence Day celebration at The White House held March 25, 2009. | |
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“Despite proactive outreach to the White House, and several attempts to offer AHEPA’s resources to your Public Liaison Office, many integral people involved in our leadership, including the National Presidents of our junior auxiliaries, were left off of the invitation list for the March 25th festivities,” wrote Ike Gulas, National President of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading membership-based organization for the nation’s three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and Philhellenes. “Therefore, I feel it is my duty to call to your attention this failure to recognize AHEPA’s status in the Greek American community and to treat it accordingly.” |
| In addition, Gulas cited the lateness with which electronic invites were issued, making it difficult for invitees to travel to Washington at such late notice, and questioned the overall vetting process of the invites. | |
| Gulas requested a meeting to discuss ways in which AHEPA and the new administration can work together to better the lives of Greek-Americans and the nation. | |
| AHEPA President, Archbishop Discuss Issue | |
| Today, Gulas and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, spoke via conference call to discuss the matter. Both leaders agreed that several important community-service leaders were not extended invitations, and discussed how such oversights can be avoided in the future. | |
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AHEPA News Release |
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