Greek Language / Yianopoulos Tribute
In St Augustine, Florida, regarding community outreach and Greek education - Honoring the founder, Ioannis Giannopoulos, of the 1st Greek school in the America in 1760. The January 22, 2020 event's ceremony facilitated the transfer of the statue of Yiannopoulos to the United States from Tripoli, Greece. Present were Federation of Hellenic-American Educators President Stella Kokolis, Prometheus Association President Meropi Kyriakou, and Rhode Island’s Greek-American State Senator Leonidas Raptakis. "The bust of Ioannis Giannopoulos will travel to St. Augustine, Florida on March 7, 2020. It should be noted that the event is part of the series of events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Revolution of 1821." Click/tap on graphics to see the videos and read The National Herald articles...

"Senator Raptakis and St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Hellenic community host the celebration of 197th anniversary of Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation at RI State House
Greek Consul General Efthymiou joins local Greek leaders, elected officials in celebration of Greek heritage
 
STATE HOUSE – State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) and the Newport Hellenic community hosted a celebration of Greek Independence Day at the Rhode Island State House, bringing together state leaders and members of the Hellenic community to recognize the 197th  anniversary of Greece’s independence.  This is the twenty-sixth consecutive celebration of the event, which included the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic Stratos Efthymiou meeting with Rhode Island Senate President Domenic Ruggerio.