THE NATIONAL COORDINATED EFFORT OF HELLENES (CEH) 1100 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 393-7790 [fax] (202) 628-0225 E-mail: CoordinatedEffort@Manatos.com
The National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) is pleased to bring to your attention the following news regarding the Greeks for Obama Committee. Andrew A. Athens, Chairman, National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH); National Chairman, United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC), Honorary President, World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Philip Christopher, Vice Chair, National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH); President, International Coordinating Committee--Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA); President, Pancyprian Association of America Andrew E. Manatos, President, National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH); Executive Board Member, UHAC and PSEKA Panicos Papanicolaou, Supreme President, Cyprus Federation of America Nikos Mouyiaris, Executive Vice President, Pancyprian Association of America
Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias Expands Reach of National Greeks for Obama Committee; Karloutsos named Vice Chairman
CHICAGO, Illinois, February 5, 2008
– Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, National Chairman of Greeks for Obama Committee, announced that Michael Karloutsos has joined the Committee as Vice Chairman. “I am thrilled with the level of support my extended family – the Greek American community – has provided to Senator Obama,” said Giannoulias. “Barack’s inspirational message of hope, opportunity, and of moving this country in a new direction transcends race, gender, age, and political party. That is what this country needs now more than ever: someone who will not only unite this country, but who will mend relations with other nations and re-affirm our position as a global leader, both economically and socially.” “As most of you know,” Giannoulias continued, “Barack is not only a close, personal friend, but he is also my mentor. It is his political journey that has inspired me to run for public office. I am hoping that his improbable life's journey will inspire all of you to vote for and support his candidacy for President.” Michael Karloutsos lives in Philadelphia with his wife Anastasia and two children. Michael’s political background includes working on Senator Olympia Snowe’s staff, playing a major role in the campaigns of Greek-Americans Paul Tsongas (for President) and Paul Vallas (for Governor) and being a Pioneer for President George W. Bush. “I am honored to join this team under the leadership of Treasurer Giannoulias and look forward to being part of a movement that transcends partisan politics and restores accountability in government and hope for America and the entire world,” said Karloutsos. Treasurer Giannoulias was one of Senator Obama’s earliest supporters during his candidacy for the United States Senate, and has been in the forefront of the Obama presidential campaign, consistently surrogating for the Senator, fundraising for the campaign, and organizing field operations. Senator Obama has been appreciative of Giannoulias’ efforts: “I’m proud to have Alexi’s support, and am inspired that his election proves that America is still a place where young Americans of any race or background can aspire to great things. He joins a proud tradition of Greek-American political leaders who’ve made important contributions to this country, and I hope to see more follow in your footsteps in the years to come. Of course, these contributions go back even further and run deeper than any one political office. After all, it was the Greeks who our founding fathers turned to for guidance and inspiration as they crafted our Constitution and the architecture of our democracy. It was Thomas Jefferson himself who wrote: ‘[Greece was] the first of civilized nations [that] presented [an example] of what man should be.’ I stand before you today as someone seeking an office that is, in many ways, the product of your own proud tradition. And I do so with an unyielding faith that we can once again make this country a proud example of what all of humankind should be.” Under Giannoulias’ leadership, the Greek American community has raised funds for the Obama campaign, has provided scores of volunteers to Obama headquarters in Chicago, and has sent field operatives to early primary states. According to Giannoulias, “Senator Obama is an exemplary leader who has – as the Boston Globe proclaimed in its endorsement – ‘an intuitive sense of the wider world’. This intuition is what we need in the Oval Office. Moreover, if we count our friends as those who support our issues, Barack has been there for our community – on Cyprus, on the religions freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on FYROM. Most importantly, Barack has supported our community’s attempt to claim a full stake in the American political process by being the most prominent and vocal supporter of a Greek American’s candidacy for statewide office. I stand as the youngest statewide elected official in the United States today in large part because of the inspiration and support of Barack Obama.”
For more information, contact Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of Greeks for Obama, at 312-738-6190.