HELLENIC ISSUES
"Once again this year, a Greek Independence Day celebration was held at the Rhode Island State House on March 31, 2026, hosted by State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-33, Coventry, West Greenwich), along with Rhode Island’s Hellenic communities, marking the 205th anniversary of Greece’s independence and the Feast of the Annunciation." Read the complete article at Greek News - April 3, 2026.
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 Commemorative photo from the signing ceremony of the legislation for the Greek motor-vehicle license plate by Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, at the Annunciation community of Scranton, Rhode Island. PHOTO COURTESY OF LEONIDAS RAPTAKIS The National Herald: "BOSTON – Thanks to the initiative of Greek-American State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and the collaboration of the AHEPA chapters of Providence, Newport, and Pawtucket, Rhode Island has become the first state in the United States to issue a Greek-themed motor-vehicle license plate. The specialty plate bears the title “Hellenic Heritage.” The bill-signing ceremony was conducted by Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Representative Joseph McNamara, and Senator Raptakis. Also present was the Consul General of Greece in Boston, Ambassador Symeon Tegos, who conveyed Greece’s appreciation and congratulations to Senator Raptakis and the AHEPA chapters for their efforts." To read more about this event, click/tap here to reveal the full story by Theodore Kalmoukos.
 Sample license plates with both Senate and House legislation binders in the background GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH PAWTUCKET RHODE ISLAND HONORS PARISHIONER VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE11/20/2025  Click/Tap on the image to read about this "Newsroom" event, which includes more pictures.  "Hellenic News of America... Raptakis questions the timing of the decision while Turkey still refuses to support sanctions on Russia and continues Eastern Mediterranean aggression against Cyrus, Greece, and Israel, while still in possession of the Russian-made S-400 missile system." Continue reading at the published Greek Community news.
 Image Credit: Greek News & EMBOA YouTube Channel "NEW YORK, NY: East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) presents its “3rd Hellenic American State Legislators Forum” Webinar Panel Discussion on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 2 P.M. EST/ 9 P.M. Athens EEST.
The panel discussion will be introduced and moderated by Lou Katsos, EMBCA’s President. Panelists will include Lou Raptakis, State Senator from Rhode Island; New York State Assemblyman John Lemondes; Connecticut State Representative Katherine Anna “Tina” Courpas; Pennsylvania State Representative Steven R. Malagari; Connecticut State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw; and Connecticut State Representative Savet Constantine." View and read the full article at: Greek News. In Athens: World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) Holds its 15th General Assembly7/30/2025  Participants were welcomed by the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis. Photo credit: The Panhellenic Post by Malaspinas Christos. "Athens, Greece – The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA) convened its 15th General Assembly from July 20 to 25, 2025, in Athens, Greece, bringing together elected legislators of Hellenic descent from across the globe. The PADEE-WHIA’s members comprise over 90 parliamentarians and legislators of Greek origin from countries including the United States, Albania, Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, Sweden, Ukraine and other nations, united by a shared commitment to strengthening bonds among Greece, Cyprus, and the global diaspora...
...The newly elected PADEE-WHIA Board of Governors are as follows: Leonidas Raptakis, President (U.S.A.) Effie Triantafilopoulos, 1st Vice-President (Canada) Steven Georganas, 2nd Vice President (Australia) Marietta Karamanli, Board member (France) Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Board member (U.S.A.) Annie Koutrakis, Board member (Canada) Steve Malagari, Board member (U.S.A.) Hryhoriy Nemyria, Board member (Ukraine) Kat Theophanous, Board member (Australia)" Read the full article at The Panhellenic Post.  From left: Federal MP for Adelaide Steve Georganas, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, and WHIA president and Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis. Photo credit: Neos Kosmos. "Federal MP for Adelaide Steve Georganas, vice-president of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association was joined by WHIA president and US state senator for Rhode Island Leonidas Raptakis for the meeting on Friday 27 June, where they discussed final preparations for the upcoming assembly set to take place from 20 to 24 July in the historic former Senate chamber of the Hellenic Parliament." Read the full article at Neos Kosmos, The Hellenic Perspective Since 1957.
RI Assembly approves bill: creating RI STATE Greek Heritage License plate sponsored by AHEPA6/17/2025  March, 2025 / Providence, RI: State Senator Lou Raptakis presents Symeon Tegos, Consul General of Greece in Boston, with a sample of the Rhode Island Greek Heritage license plate. Photo Credit - RI State Senate. Greek News USA, June 17, 2025: "The Rhode Island General Assembly approved on June 17 legislation introduced by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara that would create a Rhode Island Greek Heritage license plate in conjunction with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA)." Read the full article by Greek News click/tap here.
 Credit, The Panhellenic Post: RI State Sen. Lou Raptakis standing with the Greek Orthodox Church of Pawtucket "Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-33 Coventry and West Greenwich) with the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church community of Pawtucket Rhode Island hosted a commemoration on the occasion of the 106th Anniversary of the Greek Pontic Genocide and AHEPA Day at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and community center in Pawtucket Rhode Island on May 18, 2025." by Malaspinas Christos. Read the full article at 'The Online Newspaper of Hellenism' - Click/Tap Here.
 Credit: Sara Tsugranis Orthodox Observer, Sunday, March 30, 2025: "The annual Greek Independence Day Parade took place in New York City - the Birthplace of Democracy & Strategic Partner of America. The parade brought the Greek-American community together to celebrate Greece’s struggle for freedom and honor its rich history and contributions to American society and beyond. State officials in attendance also include Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis, New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael, Assemblyman Michael Tannousis and New York City Mayor Eric Adams." To read more about the event - click/tap here.
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ABOUT THE Author
A long-time member of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association, Sen. Raptakis has worked on a range of RI legislation policy issues impacting not only Greece but many European nations. Please like the Senator on Facebook. Donations require the employer's company name and the donor's residential address.
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