NEW YORK – On June 3, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12) announced she has been named a Grand Marshal at the upcoming New York Greek Independence Day Parade on June 5th. Other Grand Marshals include Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), caucus member Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (D-NY), Greek Olympic gold medalist Fani Chalkia, and his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

“I am honored to be selected as a Grand Marshal for this year’s New York Greek Independence Day Parade,” said Rep. Maloney. Two centuries after Greece’s independence, the Hellenic community continues to be an invaluable part of New York’s heritage. I am so grateful to join my Greek-American friends in celebration of the historic and important role Greek-Americans play in New York and across America.”

In May, Rep. Maloney met with Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his visit to Washington where she reaffirmed her commitment to working on areas of vital importance to both countries. Rep. Maloney had the additional honor of escorting Prime Minister Mitsotakis to his Joint Address of Congress celebrating over 200 years of Greek independence.

Background:

Congresswoman Maloney is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. The Caucus serves to bring a renewed congressional focus on key diplomatic, military, and human rights issues in this critical part of the world. The members of the Caucus introduce legislation, arrange briefings on current events, and disseminate information to interested parties.

The topics on which the Caucus focuses include U.S. aid to Greece and Cyprus, the conflict on Cyprus, U.S. relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and developments in the Aegean.

Congresswoman Maloney first founded the caucus in 1996 with former Congressman Michael Bilirakis and now co-chairs with caucus with his son, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). She represents one of the largest Greek populations in the world, outside of Cyprus and Greece and is a steadfast supporter of strong U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus.