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/

"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

Greek News: "Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, and West Greenwich) introduced a Senate resolution (2023-S 1027) commemorating May 19 as the 104th anniversary of the Greek Pontian Genocide that was supported by the entire Rhode Island State Senate. From 1914 until 1922, in a systematic attempt to exterminate an entire population, the Ottoman Turks directed the killing of 353,000 Pontian and Anatolian Greeks and over a million Armenians and Assyrians living in Pontos, Greece." Read the full article at Greek News.

"His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, Sen. Raptakis and RI’s Hellenic community celebrate the 202nd anniversary of Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation at the State House."

"Greek Consul General Symeon Tegos and Rhode Island General Officers join local Greek leaders for the 30th consecutive year of celebrating Greek Independence Day at the State House."

Content shared from RI State Senator Leonidas Raptakis 03/22/23 press release. Read on here. RI State House Document - click/tap here.

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.