New York, N.Y.– On September 27, the FCAO held its annual Testimonial Dinner and honored two exceptional individuals. Mr. Savas Tsivicos received the Justice for Cyprus Award, and Mr. George Logothetis received the Philanthropic Award.
The event was attended by close to 300 guests. Among those present was First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus Philippa Karsera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos, government representative Konstantinos Letymbiotis, special representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thessalia Shambos, negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, Deputy Director of the President's Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S. Evangelos Savva, Permanent Representative of Greece to the U.N. Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN Maria Michail, Consul General of Greece in New York Iphigenia Kanara, Consul General of Cyprus in New York Michalis Firillas, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, and the OXI Day Foundation Executive Director Mike Manatos.
Billboard journalist Rania Aniftos was the Mistress of Ceremonies, and Greek-American singer Annet Artani performed the National Anthems of Greece and the USA.
On behalf of the Federation, FCAO President Kyriacos Papastylianou, addressing President Christodoulides, encouraged him and his government "to continue efforts to restart the talks to find a sustainable solution where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will live in peace, without troops and guarantor forces." At the same time, he welcomed the investment relations that are being built with the USA.
For his part, PSEKA President Philip Christopher made an extensive reference to the 50 years of Turkish occupation in Cyprus and the frustration that prevails over the situation for restoring order and justice, stressing that he will never stop talking about his special homeland, Kyrenia.
During his remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America pointed out, "The righteous cause of Cyprus – and the fifty-year delay in finding a just and equitable solution – is why we are all here tonight. In the Awards being shared with tonight's honorees, we are giving recognition not only to deserving individuals of extraordinary substance but to the organizations and enterprises that they lead, who symbolize the aspirations of everyone in this room."
In his remarks, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides referred to his personal ties with the Hellenic-American diaspora, which began when he was a student at Queens College in the early 1990s. He expressed the Republic of Cyprus's general appreciation for the selfless efforts of Cypriot Hellenism in the USA to end the Turkish occupation.
"Let me express our appreciation for your constant support. The support of our diaspora in the USA – and in particular of our Federation. I know very well that though you are on the other side of the Atlantic, no matter how many years you have passed away from our beloved homeland, your love for Cyprus remains unquenchable, and the ties are forever strong. Therefore, you have Cyprus in your mind, in your heart, and you show it in practice without expecting anything in return," noted President Christodoulides, adding that "it is worth mentioning that this love, this concern, this interest of yours for Cyprus is passed on to the younger generations."
The AHEPA Supreme President Savas Tsivicos was honored with the Justice for Cyprus Award, in recognition of his participation in the efforts of the Greek Cypriot diaspora to contribute to a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.
Reiterating the firm belief that "every obstacle is for good and every comfort for evil," Libra Group Executive Chairman George Logothetis was honored with the Philanthropy Award. Mr. Logothetis, who made a speech full of examples and with an emphasis on the value of continuous effort, perseverance, and sincere charity, praised, among other things, the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot people. He highlighted that Cyprus, despite the 50 years of Turkish occupation, has managed to take steps forward, becoming a modern, popular, international, and happy place. This resilience is a source of pride and inspiration for all. "You took all that pain from 50 years ago and built a modern, popular, international, happy place. I congratulate you all on this.
The Annual Testimonial Dinner of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations is held every September in New York. Past honorees include His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, then-United States Senator Joseph Biden, the former Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Costas Karamanlis, Dr. Chrysostomos Nikias, President of the University of Southern California, Nikos Kotzias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, the American Jewish Council (AJC) for its advocacy in the United States and abroad for the restoration of the human rights of the people of Cyprus; Dr. Harris Pastides, President of the University of South Carolina, Dr. Symeon C. Symeonides Dean Emeritus & Alex l. Parks Distinguished Chair in Law Willamette University, Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D. Chairman, Board of Directors of Biogen, Inc.; Exelixis, Inc.; Regulus Therapeutics, Inc.; Eucrates Biomedical Acquisition Corp.; Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Henry Samueli, Chair in Engineering, National Academy of Inventors, National Academy of Medicine, Hon. Michael R. Pompeo, 70th U.S. Secretary of State, numerous United States Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as prominent American business people and philanthropists.
Email: info@fcaousa.org, Tel: (516) 399-2295
