(Astoria, NY) – Senator Mike Gianaris, Assembly Member Aravella Simotas, Council Member Costa Constantinides and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz hosted a Greek Independence Day celebration at the Stathakion Center in Astoria. Queens elected officials celebrated the occasion with a ceremony recognizing Greek heritage and culture and honoring local community leaders.
This year’s honorees were four Greek women who have made significant contributions to the Greek community. Honorees included Evgenia Soldatos, ADA, of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Jenny Emexezidis, Chief Financial Officer of the Queens Medallion Group of Companies and Melrose Ballroom, Nomiki Kastanas of Greek National Television and Ismini Michaels, Treasurer of the Greek Fund for childhood.
Queens Borough President Katz said, “It is an honor to co-host this official Greek Independence Day celebration with my government colleagues. We will recognize Greece’s many achievements as the cradle of democracy and a beacon of culture and freedom around the world. We will also honor the thousands of Greek Americans who have contributed greatly to the economic, civic, political and cultural life of the borough of Queens and New York City.
Senator Gianaris said: “As the son of parents born in Greece, I am proud to host another Greek Independence Day celebration. There is no better place than here in Astoria, in the heart of Greek-American culture, to remember our heritage and celebrate the spirit of freedom and the desire for independence that has bound the world together for so long. America in the land of our ancestors.
Assembly Member Simotas said, “I am pleased to join my colleagues in celebrating Greek Independence Day here in Astoria, where so many Greek immigrants have found the opportunity to thrive and to prosper. Our celebration honors the courageous and just Greeks who fought to break the yoke of oppression of the Ottoman Empire 196 years ago, and we can now be proud to commit ourselves to the democratic ideals that bind Greece and America. I express my deepest gratitude to the four remarkable Greek women honored this evening for their commitment to the betterment of New York’s Greek community.
Councilmember Constantinides said, “I am proud to once again join in celebrating the anniversary of Greek Independence with our Greek-American community in Astoria. We recognize the achievements that all of our honorees have made in promoting the Hellenic and democratic values that our Greek ancestors upheld. instilled in us. These community leaders have been important role models and served as examples of civic engagement throughout our neighborhood. Thank you to my colleagues Borough President Katz, Senator Gianaris, and Assemblymember Simotas for helping our community honor the contributions of Greek-Americans. “
Greek Independence Day is a national holiday in Greece, commemorating the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. This year’s occasion marked the 196th anniversary of Greek independence.
# # #
