NEW YORK, NY – [Photos: GANP/ Dimitrios Panagos]
“The Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, as well as its member bodies, have been the most powerful and most reliable voice of Cyprus in the US for decades. A voice which defends our country in practice, fosters strong bonds with the American political system and society while holding, at the same time, the Cypriot heritage alive», said Nikos Christodoulides, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, speaking at the annual FCAO Testimonial Dinner marking the Federation’s 75th anniversary, on September 25 at Terrace of the Park.
This year, the Federation honored three more distinguished Cypriot-Americans for their life achievements and their dedication to the struggle for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue.
John Josephakis, Global Vice President of Sales and Business Development, HPC/Supercomputing at NVIDIA, received the FCAO Lifetime Achievement Award, Stavros Kamilaris, President of the Lampousa Cypriot American Association and Despina Axiotakis, Past General Secretary of the Cyprus Federation of America, were both awarded the Community Service Award.
Saluting the honorees, President Christodoulides said that “they are truly exceptional ambassadors of Cyprus”.
“My dear John, Stavros and Despina, we take immense pride in your heritage. On behalf of the Republic of Cyprus and its people, I warmly congratulate you and thank you for all that you offer, but, most of all, I thank you because, no matter where life has led you, Cyprus remained always close to your heart”, he added.
The program opened with invocation by Archbishop Elpidophoros who also addressed the testimonial dinner praising the contribution of the Greek Cypriot community to the Church and the national issues.
“This evening, we proudly recognize three distinguished individuals whose accomplishments and service reflect the values of our Federation”, said FCAO President Kyriakos Papastylianou in his opening remarks. “As we reflect on 75 years of progress, we also look toward the future with renewed purpose”, he added, noting that the FCAO remains committed to strengthening the bonds Cyprus and the U.S and continuing our advocacy for a free and reunified Cyprus.
PSEKA President, Philip Christopher, focused on the role and efforts of the organized Greek-American community in Washington. “We must continue this struggle until Cyprus is free”, he stated, urging the Greek-American community not to become discouraged by the lack of progress. In the last 52 years, not one refugee has returned to his or her home. Not one inch of territory has been returned,” he said.
Stating that “every meeting with you, our Diaspora in the United States bears a special significance to me”, since himself lived in New York more than 30 years ago, as a student, President Christodoulides, who served as the keynote speaker, said that he is incredibly pleased to see young Cypriots as well as Cypriot-Americans become increasingly involved in events and actions undertaken by our diaspora, to take initiatives and at the same time to excel” in everything they do.
“This, I believe, is perhaps the most important investment we can ever make. Our goal must be to guarantee that our bond with Cyprus does not merely resist the passage of time, and indeed it never will, but instead gathers fresh momentum, deeper meaning, and a new generation of pioneers”, he added.
FCAO Secretary Margarita Eracleous-Likas served as master of ceremonies.
