Pictured: His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, State Senstor Raptakis and RI’s Hellenic community celebrate the 201st anniversary of Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation at the State House. By The Panhellenic Post.

“This event is always a wonderful expression of our strong Hellenic community in Rhode Island and the strong connection between this state, known for its commitment to independence, and the nation which was the birthplace of democracy,” said Raptakis. “I want to thank the Senate and House for hosting this event, passing resolutions during their sessions yesterday, and consistently supporting Hellenic issues over the years. I am grateful to all of the legislators and general officers who attended again this year, coming together in the Rhode Island State House to take part in this special celebration, including the many Hellenes who participated from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Our community shares in the values of Greece.” Click/Tap on either photo to read the full stories as reported.

ATHENS – Leonidas Raptakis, President & Rhode Island State Senator, USA, Effie Triantafilopoulos, 1st Vice President & MPP, Ontario, Canada, and Steve Georganas, 2nd Vice -President & Federal MP Australia were elected as leaders of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), an organization composed of elected Parliamentarians and Legislators abroad with Hellenic roots, who are working together on issues of concern between Greece and their host nations.

Within the PADEE/WHIA there are approximately 90 world members. With 43 members from USA, 20 members from Australia, 10 members from Canada and other members from France, Germany, Israel, Romania, Albania, Kenya, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe plus other nations. View the full article at The National Herald.

Photo: The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association held its 13th General Assembly in Athens July 28-30. World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association/ Froso Kanellidou

The National Herald: "World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association Two-Day Visit to Evros from January 12–13, 2022... ATHENS – Five members of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association (WHIA), with Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis as head of the group, visited Evros on January 12-13. Senator Raptakis was accompanied by Wyoming State Senator Stephan Pappas, Pennsylvania State Senator Maria Tzanakis-Collett, Senator/The Senate H.K. of Jordan Dr. Audeh Quawas, and Member of Parliament of Sweden Vasiliki Tsouplaki." Click/Tap on Image to Play Video at timeline "1:12:01", or see Complete Video (Here), and Read More at: Evros.

NEO Magazine: "The chairman of a group called 'Greek Voices for Trump' recently wrote a column here suggesting that only one candidate for president in the United State has earned the support of Greek-Americans and that is Donald Trump. In times like these, it’s good to remember that most immigrant communities don’t speak with a single voice, they may share a common heritage and homeland but represent disparate interests and viewpoints. And in the case of evaluating Donald Trump, it is just as easy to argue that he has been hostile to Greeks’ interests and represents a clear and present danger to democracy in the region." Click/tap on the image or this link to read the full article published from Neocorp Media, Inc.

"The elected Rhode Island, RI USA Senator was in Athens for extremely important meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias and the Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Senator Leonidas Raptakis says he is surprised by the strange diplomatic language of the Turkish president, he is not afraid of Kastelorizo, but insists that our country should not take a single step back in the current Law of the Sea." Read More at this Google translated link (Greek to English) from NewsBreak.gr - End.