CHICAGO, Nov. 15 -- The United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC) marked its 30th  anniversary and entered a new era of domestic and international activities at a gala event Saturday that honored Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Director of National Intelligence,  as Hellene of the Year.
At the same dinner-dance, which was also a celebration of Hellenic Heritage and was attended by more than 400 persons, UHAC introduced to the Midwest the new Ambassador of Greece to the U.S., Alexandros Mallias and his wife, Francoise-Anne.
The 2005 Hellene of the Year, Ambassador Negroponte, emphasized the role that Hellenic values have played in his life and the continuing adherents to the ideas about community and life that he learned from his family.  In his capacity as Director of National Intelligence since April 21, Mr. Negroponte is responsible for coordinating U.S. intelligence gathering and to ensure that all security organizations are working together and sharing their findings on intelligence matters. 
From 1960 to 1997, he served eight different outposts in Asia, Europe and Latin America.  Each assignment enhanced his understanding of world politics and diplomatic skills. He also held important positions at the State Department and the White House, including a period as Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and in 1989 he was appointed Ambassador to Mexico and, later, from 1993 to 1996 to the Philippines. Following a brief period in private industry, he was called back to serve his country by President George W. Bush just a few days after September 11, 2001. He was sworn in as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and continued in this position until he began serving as Ambassador to Iraq on June 28, 2004.  
Some of the eveningοΏ½s most touching moments were the co-incidence of the 60th wedding anniversary of the National Chairman of UHAC, Andrew A. Athens and his wife, Louise, and also the 60th wedding anniversary of author Harry Mark Petrakis and his wife, Danae. The Master of Ceremonies, Andy Manatos, of Washington, presented flowers to the two ladies.
An exceptional a story teller, author Petrakis reminisced about his life in the formative days of the Hellenic community in Chicago, ending with the assertion that he feels more proud to have been the son of a lowly Hellene priest in a Chicago parish than if he had been born a prince elsewhere. His father, NAME, was a priest in the old Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church whose congregation later moved to the Southwest suburbs.
Mr. Athens, also president of World SAE, reminisced how UHAC was established following the admonition of the late Archbishop Iakovos, and emphasized the accomplishments of the past 30 years including the establishment of an affiliated office in Washington, DC; the work on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the medical centers project which is supported by American Hellenes, and the continuing struggle for a just resolution to the Cyprus conflict.
οΏ½UHAC  was born at a time of war, during the traumatic events of the invasion of Cyprus,οΏ½ Mr. Athens said. οΏ½We have grown up during three decades of political struggle and, on occasion, days of political triumph, such as CyprusοΏ½ ascension to the EU.  We shall not rest until a just solution is achieved for the Cypriot peopleοΏ½
οΏ½UHAC today is crossing the threshold and is re-inventing itself into a 21st century organization.  We draw our inspiration from extraordinary Hellenes, such as our honoree this evening, Ambassador John D. Negroponte, whose service to America exemplifies the spirit of Omogeneia.  Our next generation of Hellenes has a great example to follow, and a challenge to meet. We invite all of you to become active supporters and participants. Throughout all these years, one principle remains constant: We will always be guided by our love for Hellenism, Orthodoxy and this great country of ours, the USA.οΏ½

UHAC is a non-profit cultural, educational and social issues organization [designated as 501 (c) (3) by the IRS] that coordinates and unifies the activities of Hellenic organizations and individuals in promoting and supporting Hellenism and Orthodoxy, and fosters good relations between the U.S. and Greece.
 
UHAC NATIONAL is an advocacy arm of UHAC, with a global reach, dedicated to presenting in the U.S. and around the world ethno-religious issues of importance to Hellenes everywhere including human rights, justice for Cyprus and the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Photo 1-Ambassador John D. Negroponte, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, was honored by UHAC as 2005 Hellene of the Year at UHACοΏ½s 30th Anniversary dinner-dance. He is the first person to hold this position since its creation after 9/11.

Photo 2-Mr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Athens, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mark Petrakis, Ambassador Negroponte, Consul General of Greece Aliki Hadji, new Greek Ambassador to the U.S. and Mrs. Alexandros Mallias, and Andy Manatos. Mr. Athens is President of World SAE and National Chairman of  UHAC.