In 1996, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and former Representative Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), who retired from Congress in 2006, founded the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. In 2007, Representative Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) became a co-chair of the Caucus. The purpose of this bi-partisan caucus is to foster and improve relations between the United States and Greece. The Caucus serves to bring a renewed congressional focus on key diplomatic, military, and human rights issues in a critical part of the world. The members of the Caucus introduce legislation, arrange briefings on current events, and disseminate information to interested parties. The topics on which the Caucus focuses include U.S. aid to Greece and Cyprus, the conflict on Cyprus, U.S. relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and developments in the Aegean.

For a complete summary of the activities of the Hellenic Caucus, read the Report on Hellenic Issues (pdf).

Press Releases

Legislation

05/24/07 - H.R. 2526, which deems Greece to be designated as a visa waiver country under the Immigration and Nationality Act. [110th Congress]

05/15/07 - H. Res. 407 - Expressing the strong support of the House of Representatives for the positive actions by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus aimed at opening additional crossing points along the cease-fire line, thereby contributing to efforts for the reunification of the island. [110th Congress]

05/03/07 - H. Res. 373 - Urging Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. [110th Congress]

05/01/07 - H. Res. 356 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) should stop the utilization of materials that violate provisions of the United Nations-brokered Interim Agreement between the FYROM and Greece regarding "hostile activities or propaganda" and should work with the United Nations and Greece to achieve longstanding United States and United Nations policy goals of finding a mutually-acceptable official name for the FYROM. [110th Congress]

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Documents/Reports

10/01/08 - Report on Hellenic Issues

10/01/08 - Hellenic Caucus Members in the 110th Congress

10/03/07 – Letter to Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte urging additional support for Greece to rebuild from the wildfires

09/10/07 - Letter to Secretary Rice urging the continued support of the U.S. Government to Greece following the wildfires

07/27/07 - Letter to Secretary Rice requesting her to formally nominate Greece for the Visa Waiver Program

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