CRANSTON, RI –
This past week, Rhode Island’s AHEPA chapters joined State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis, State Representative Joseph M. McNamara, Governor Dan McKee, and Consul General of Greece in Boston Symeon Tegos to unveil newly approved legislation establishing a Rhode Island Greek Heritage motor vehicle license plate. The initiative was created in partnership with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).
Introduced earlier this year by Senator Raptakis and Representative McNamara, the legislation makes Rhode Island the first state in the nation to issue a license plate specifically honoring Greece, Hellenism, and AHEPA.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s Demetrakas Hall in Cranston. All three Rhode Island AHEPA chapters participated: Sophocles Chapter 106 (Annunciation Church, Cranston), Chapter A-121 (Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Pawtucket), and Chapter 245 (St. Spyridon Church, Newport).
The license plate design features the Greek national flag encircled by an Olympic gold wreath in the top left corner, the AHEPA emblem in the top right, and the Parthenon—an enduring symbol of ancient Greece, Western civilization, and democracy—at the center. The words State of Rhode Island and Hellenic Heritage appear across the top and bottom. The final design was selected through a community vote among parishioners and AHEPA members, from a series of proposals created by Ioanna Savoie, daughter of AHEPA member Bobby Dafoulas. Melina Panichas and Nicholas Lambros developed the pre-registration application form, enabling Rhode Island residents to begin ordering the plate.
Senator Raptakis highlighted the strong ties between Rhode Island, known for its commitment to independence, and Greece, the birthplace of democracy: “Hellenic Rhode Islanders are proud of their heritage and this bill will allow them to further share their rich and historic culture with the rest of the state”.
“Rhode Island is home to many proud Hellenic people and families, and this bill will allow them to showcase their pride of their rich Greek culture to everyone on our state’s roadways. It’s an honor to introduce this bill for my Hellenic constituents and the rest of Rhode Island’s Greek community,” said Representative McNamara.
Governor McKee praised the contributions of Rhode Island’s Greek community, emphasizing its vibrant activity and diverse heritage.
Consul General of Greece Symeon Tegos emphasized “When you have strong support in the Rhode Island legislature regarding Hellenic issues, with State Senator Lou Raptakis leading the way, the results are very positive in passing this type of legislation”
Additional remarks were offered by AHEPA Supreme Governor for Region 4 Gregory Simones, Sophocles Chapter 106 President George Coclin, former Chapter A-121 President George Demopoulos (representing President Ioannis Apostolakis), and Chapter 245 Newport President Anthony Spiratos. Also in attendance were Fr. Andrew George of Annunciation Church in Cranston and Fr. Philip Zymaris of Assumption Church in Pawtucket. Past AHEPA Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides also joined the celebration.
Following the unveiling, the three AHEPA chapters hosted a buffet-style dinner, concluding with the ceremonial cutting of a cake decorated with the new license plate design.
The legislation (2025-S 0155 and 2025-H 6148) empowers the Division of Motor Vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and Rhode Island’s Hellenic Heritage.
Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Its mission is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
