Leaders of the Greek American and Jewish American Communities,along with 25 members of Congress and the Ambassadors of Greece, Israel and Cyprus, gathered on Thursday, February 25 on Capitol Hill, in celebration of the third anniversary of the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance (CHIA),greeknewsonline.com reports.
A congressional caucus designed to raise awareness of the importance of the trilateral relationship among Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, which has yielded important political and national security benefits for the U.S. and the region and encourage for the U.S support for its goals.
Anniversary reception
The anniversary reception, jointly sponsored by AJC and HALC and it was the conclusion of a 24-hour long joint advocate activity from members of both the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) to promote to the members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate a bilateral letter on Cyprus, to Vice President Joe Biden, as well as other issues of mutual concern. They had meetings with more than 50 Congressional offices.
Senators Ron Kirk of Illinois and Robert Menendez of New Jersey were the first to co-sign the letter on the Senate side, while the co-chairmen of CHIA,Gus Bilirakis and Ted Deutch circulated the letter from the House side. The idea for the Congressional caucus, now more than 50 Members strong, was born three years ago at a meeting between leaders from AJC and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), with Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Ted Deutch.
“In its first three years, this group has grown to include a group of members’ intent on strengthening the relationship between these indispensable allies who share our core democratic values and security interest”, Gus Bilirakis said.
