As the Greek Economy Struggles, Importance of U.S.-Greek Ties Rise

Greece has been the center of attention of the international banking community. As the country takes drastic measures to save it’s economy, the media and financial industry are increasing their scrutiny.   The U.S. has long had strong ties to Greece and the Greek people.  Typing “Greek” into First Street reveals the many deep ties that individuals and organizations in Washington, D.C. have with the Greek community.  Currently, multiple organizations are lobbying in support of Greek-U.S. ties, and many high power individuals come from a Greek background, focus on Greek issues, or have other unique Greek ties.

Highlights

• Since 1993 the U.S. Congress has introduced 151 bills dealing with Greek issues.
• 6 Greek affiliated PAC’s have contributed over $100,000 to federal candidates since 1993.
• The 6 organizations with Hellenic ties have reported $260,000 in lobbying activity since 2004, with most of these organizations reporting the minimum monetary disclosure amount  since 2004.
• 5 current members of Congress are Greek Orthodox and one former member even studied Greek in College.
• 6 current and former congressional staffers are uniquely tied to Greek issues, through choir names, language, and organization memberships.

Former Members with Greek Ties
Rep. Porter J. Goss (R-FL)
Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1960, B.A. in classics and Greek
Current Greek Orthodox Members of Congress

• Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R FL-9) – Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair
• Rep. John Sarbanes (D MD-3)
• Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R ME)
• Rep. Niki Tsongas (D MA-5)

Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY)  
Grand Marshal, Greek Independence Day Parade, 1996; Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair
Rep. Michael Patrick Flanagan (R-IL)
During U.S. Army service, learned Greek at the U.S. Dept. of Defense Foreign Language Center at the Defense Language Institute, The Presidio, Monterey, CA
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Greek Woman of the Year, Chi Omega Alumnae, 1999
Members of Congress Who Have Received an Award from a Hellenic Affiliated Group:

• Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R MI-11) – Hellenic Heritage National Public Service Award, American Hellenic Institute, 2007
• Sen. Barbara Boxer (D CA) – Demetris Bouhoutsos Award, Hellenic-American Council of Southern CA, 1998
• Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D IL) – Capitol 2009 Award, Federation of Hellenic American Educators, SAE-USA Region
• Sen. John Kerry (D MA)  – Capitol 2009 Award, Federation of Hellenic American Educators, SAE-USA Region

Staffers with Interesting Greek Connections
Sonja B. Stefanadis

• Currently: Caseworker – Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R FL-9)
• Member of Greek American Women’s Network & Hellenic American Women’s Council

Brendan Hennessey

• Currently: Legislative Assistant – Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D NJ-6)
• Handles Greek Legislative Issues. Frank Pallone has consistently had a staffer who directly deals with Greek Issues since 1993.

Liz Hittos

• Currently: Legislative Counsel – Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R FL-9)
• Fluent in Greek

Tom A. Manatos

• Formerly: Deputy Director, Member Services; Outreach Advisor – Minority (Democratic) Leader (Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D CA-8))
• Religion: Greek Orthodox

James H. Klumpner

• Formerly:  Chief Economist (Democrat) – Senate Committee on Budget
• Conducts a chamber choir called Polyhymnia, the name is derived from one of Greek mythology’s nine Mousai (muses).

Harry Anastasios Sporidis

• Currently: Registered Lobbyist – Polsinelli Shughart PC
• Handled Greek Legislative Issues for Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R FL) in 1994

Paul T. Anastas

• Currently: Assistant Administrator – Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Greek Chemical Society Award

Steven Giuli

• Currently: Registered Lobbyist – Apotex Corp.
• Handled Greek Issues as Legislative Director to Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA)
Description: Largest association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes. The mission of the AHEPA Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.
Lobbying Activity

Lobbyists

• Andrew G. Kaffes: Registered Lobbyist – A.G. Kaffes and Associates LLC
• George Sifakis: Registered Lobbyist – Axela Government Relations LLC
• Formerly: Assistant – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations (Department of Housing and Urban Development)  (2002 – 2004)
• Taryn Sifakis: Registered Lobbyist – Axela Government Relations LLC

Affiliated Political Action Committee
Contributions given by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Political Action Committee (AHEPA PAC) since the PAC was formed in 2010.

Daughters of Penelope
Description: Largest Association of Women of Hellenic Heritage in the United States. Daughters of Penelope is a leader in philanthropic, educational and cultural activities with local chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece and Cyprus.
Lobbying Expenses: Daughters of Penelope has hired one lobbying firm, A.G. Kaffes and Associates LLC, since 2008, when it started lobbying.  The group has never spent more than $5,000, the minimum disclosure amount, on its lobbying activity.
Lobbyists: Andrew G. Kaffes: Registered Lobbyist – A.G. Kaffes and Associates LLC

United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC)
Lobbying Expenses: United Hellenic American Congress employed one in-house lobbyist until the end of 2007.  From 2004-present the group has hired Manatos & Manatos to lobby on its behalf.  UHAC has never spent more than the minimum disclosure amount since 2004, except during 3 quarters from 2004-2006 when the UHAC paid Manatos & Manatos a combined $60,000 for its lobbying activity.

Lobbyists

• Andrew A. Athens: Registered Lobbyist – United Hellenic American Congress (2004-2007)
• See Manatos & Manatos Lobbyists

Pancyprian Association of America
Description: The Pancyprian Association of America was founded in 1975 and based on the following principles. Our purpose, as we create this new division is to energize and empower our Hellenic and Cypriot American community through social networking and events, and to maintain and build upon the founders’ visions and goals.
Lobbying Expenses: The Pancyprian Association of America has hired one lobbying firm, Manatos & Manatos, since 2004.  The organization has never spent more than the minimum disclosure amount since 2004, except during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2009 when the organization paid Manatos & Manatos a combined $20,000 for its lobbying activity.
Lobbyists: See Manatos & Manatos Lobbyists
Recent Lobbying: “Legislation making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes. Congressional or Executive Branch actions that help build stronger ties between the U.S. and Greece, and the U.S. and Cyprus, through the promotion of U.S.-Greece and U.S.-Cyprus relations.” & “Congressional and Executive Branch actions that affect the sale or transfer of U.S. military equipment to Turkey, Greece, or Cyprus.”

National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (NCEH)
Lobbying Expenses: NCEH has hired one lobbying firm, Manatos & Manatos, since 2004.  The organization has never paid more than the minimum disclosure amount since 2004, for its lobbying activity.
Lobbyists: See Manatos & Manatos Lobbyist
Recent Lobbying: “Legislation making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes. Congressional or Executive Branch actions that help build stronger ties between the U.S. and Greece, and the U.S. and Cyprus, through the promotion of U.S.-Greece and U.S.-Cyprus relations.” & “Congressional and Executive Branch actions that affect the sale or transfer of U.S. military equipment to Turkey, Greece, or Cyprus.”

American Hellenic Institute (AHI)
Description: The American Hellenic Institute is an active lobbying organization that advocates for strengthening U.S.-Greek ties.
Lobbying Expenses: AHI has never hired a lobbying firm to lobby on its behalf and has never disclosed more than the minimum disclosure amount for its lobbying activity.
Lobbyist: Nicholas Larigakis: Registered Lobbyist & President – American Hellenic Institute (2004-Present)

Political Action Committees
AHI’s Affiliated PAC is the Greek American Political Action Committee (Greekpac).  Below are the total donations the  PAC has given since its formation in 2004:

Manatos & Manatos

1. Hellenic-American Heritage Council
2. National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes
3. Pancyprian Association of America
4. United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC)
5. World Council of Hellenes Abroad-America

Lobbyists Handling Greek Clients:
Andrew Emanuel Manatos: Registered Lobbyist – Manatos & Manatos (2004-present)
Mike Andrew Manatos: Registered Lobbyist – Manatos & Manatos (2004-present)
Christopher Matthiesen:  Registered Lobbyist – Nappi and Hoppe, LLC (2010-present)

• Chief of Staff – Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) – (2010-2010)
• Deputy Chief of Staff; Legis. Director – Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) (2009-2010)
• Legislative Director – Nicholas V Lampson (2008-2008)
• Senior Legislative Assistant – Nicholas V Lampson (2007-2007)
• Registered Lobbyist – Manatos & Manatos (2005-2006)

Greek Organizations No Longer Actively Lobbying

• Hellenic-American Heritage Council hired Manatos & Manatos  (terminated relationship in 2011 1st quarter)
• World Council of Hellenes Abroad-America hired Manatos & Manatos (terminated relationship in 2007 mid-year)
• Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee hired Blank Rome (terminated relationship in 2005 mid-year)

Greek Affiliated PAC’s
Dynamis – A Hellenic Association Federal PAC 
Started PAC in 1993, Terminated PAC in 2005.  Contributions given during this time period:

Hellenic American Council Inc Political Action Committee
Terminated PAC in 2000.  Contributions given between 1993-2000:

Contributions given between 1993-2005: