Philotimo

Philotimo — it’s a sense of right and wrong and a duty to do what’s right. And so, 189 years ago, Americans of Greek origin crossed the oceans and fought for Greek independence. Greek Americans, in turn, served and fought to preserve our Union. And through two world wars and a long Cold War, America stood with our Greek allies and friends…And philotimo is a sense of dignity and respect, as well. It’s the determination that has driven generations of Greek Americans, like those here tonight, to struggle and sacrifice for the same things that all Americans want — to pursue our dreams, to realize our God-given potential, and to give our children an even better life. That’s the simple hope that caused a bishop to raise that flag on a mountaintop so many years ago. That’s the profound sense of friendship that will guide our work in the years ahead. Because what one patriot of Greek independence wrote to John Quincy Adams nearly 200 years ago remains true today: We are “friends, co-patriots and brothers.”

The Hellenic American Leadership Council is hereby established to chart a new course for the Greek-American community: to ensure the continuity of a distinct and distinguished Greek- American community; to promote a renewed commitment to civic involvement, human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world; and to enhance the historic relationship between the United States and worldwide Hellenism.
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