BOSTON – Governor Charles Baker and the Massachusetts State Senate honored Ethnikos Kyrix – National Herald on the afternoon of April 24^th for the 100th anniversary of founding and its contributions to the Greek-American community and Hellenism.

The award was presented during the annual celebration of Greek Independence in the Senate Chamber of the Massachusetts State House that was hosted by Greek-American State Senator Bruce Tarr in the presence numerous state legislators.

Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and New Hampshire representative Efstathia Booras, along with members of the community from throughout New England, were also present.

Both the governor and the Senate presented proclamations to the Herald, which were received by its publisher-editor Antonis H. Diamataris, who in his speech from the floor of the Senate said that “it is indeed a great privilege and  joy for me to be here among you to receive these honors as we also celebrate the glorious Greek Revolution of 1821. As you know, the National Herald has deep roots in this great state of Massachusetts from Lowell to Boston, the Athens of America, where thousands of Greek-Americans live who read it daily.”

Senator Tarr praised the Herald, saying, among other things, that the newspaper “binds us together…tells the stories of our lives, connects us with our Greek heritage and informs us about the events that occur not only in Greece but also here in the United States. It strengthens the Greek-American community across the United States.” He added that  “it is a special honor for all of us to honor the National Herald and its publisher, Antonis Diamataris for their hard work gathering and disseminating  news widely, and providing commentary so that we can all be informed about things that are important for us in our lives.”

When she offered her greetings to Governor Baker, Ifigenia Kanara, the Greek Consul General in Boston, said that “in these difficult times, our country needs a single national front, harmony and cooperation, and the solidarity of friends and allies.”

“We owe honor and gratitude to philhellenes everywhere and certainly to Diaspora Greeks who participated unselfishly in the struggle for freedom in 1821, and who today provide invaluable support to our efforts to exit the crisis…Only cooperation, solidarity, common goals and vision will enable our country to be reborn again. Working together – Greeks, philhellenes, and the Diaspora – we will succeed.”

Kanara also referred to the Herald’s 100th anniversary, saying “I congratulate the publisher of the second oldest Greek newspaper in the world, Antonis H. Diamataris, for being worthy of the honors he has received from the governor and Senate of Massachusetts,” and added “it is a recognition not only of the long tradition of binding together Greeks abroad, but of keeping alive their cultural identity and the Greek language.”