Greek News USA: "Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis has introduced legislation (2025-S 0155) that would create a Rhode Island Greek Heritage license plate in conjunction with the local Rhode Island chapters of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

“The noble Hellenic community in our state has always emphasized the strong connection between Rhode Island, known for its commitment to independence, and the nation of Greece, which was the birthplace of democracy.  Hellenic Rhode Islanders are proud of their heritage and this bill will allow them to further share their rich and historic culture with the rest of the state. I am honored to introduce this bill and I will do everything in my power to ensure its passage”, said Senator Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich)." To read the full article by GNUSA - Click/Tap Here.

The National Herald: In the State Senate legislatures, 12 State Senators have been elected including Spiros Mantzavinos (D-Delaware), John Velis (D-Massachusetts), Bruce Tarr (R-Massachusetts), Sandra Pappas (D-Minnesota), Michael Giannaris, Andrew Gounardes and James Skoufis (D-New York), James Ohrenschall (D-Nevada), Maria Tzanakis-Collett (D-Pennsylvania), Leonidas Raptakis (D-Rhode Island), Stella Pekarsky (D-Virginia), and Stephan Pappas (R-Wyoming.) Click/tap here to read the full article.

The Greek-American elected members are also associated with the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA), an organization that consists of current and former elected legislative and general officers of Greek descent in non-Greek speaking countries. For more information go to: https://padeewhia.org/

“COVENTRY, RI – After an election campaign focusing on his record of accomplishment for the district several local issues, including a controversial sewer assessment, as well as state-wide issues such as promoting small businesses, fighting crime and stiffening penalties for drunk driving, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis won re-election with a 58-42% majority. Raptakis was confirmed as the winner shortly after the polls closed on Tuesday night.” The National Herald. Read more here. 

Crete (01/20/24): "The Board of Directors of the World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism led by the president Leonidas Raptakis, a senator from the USA, visited today the regional governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis.

The members of the Board of Directors of PADEE participated in a working meeting in the Region of Crete in which the mayor of Heraklion Alexis Kalokairinos, the president of the Chamber of Heraklion Manolis Alifierakis, elected representatives of the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Heraklion and officials also took part." Source - Hania News

Read the full story:
In Greek at https://hania.news/2024/01/20/566156/ , or;
The English Translation at https://hania-news.translate.goog/2024/01/20/566156/?_x_tr_sl=el&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

"PADEE-WHIA Board Members State Senator Leonidas Lou Raptakis, Effie Triantafilopoulos, Annie Koutrakis, Aris Babikian at the Toronto Economic Forum that took place on October 17-18, in the presence of political, diplomatic, and business leaders from Greece and Canada. The forum is the result of a partnership between the Delphi Economic Forum and The Hellenic Initiative Canada, in collaboration with the Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade and the Hellenic Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Discussions focusing on strengthening Greek-Canadian business relationships within the framework of foreign investments in Greece.

The Toronto Economic Forum is seeking to foster further economic cooperation, highlight investment opportunities in both Canada and Greece and deepen the ties between the business, political elites and civil society of the two countries." Source PADEE - WHIA Facebook