Hellenic Forums Omogenia - YASOU - Hellenism: Events in Honor of Constantino Brumidi

AHEPA Joins with Italian American Groups to Co-Sponsor
Events in Honor Constantino Brumidi

Washington, D.C. July 29, 2005) The American Hellenic Educational
Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the National Italian American
Foundation
(NIAF) co-sponsored two receptions Tuesday, July 26, 2005 on Capitol
Hill in
honor of Constantino Brumidi, artist of the United States Capitol, on
the
200th anniversary of his birth.

The first reception, held in Statuary Hall, followed a ceremony held by
the
United States Congress at the Capitol Rotunda that commemorated Brumidis
artistic contributions to the Capitol as well as to St. Stephens Church
in
New York City.

The following members of Congress spoke at the Rotunda ceremony:
President
Pro Tempore of the Senate Ted Stevens (R-AK), Senate Majority Leader
Bill
Frist (R-TN), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), House Minority
Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-8-CA), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who
introduced
the concurrent resolution in the U.S. Senate authorizing the use of the
Capitol Rotunda for the ceremony; Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), co-chair
Senate
Cultural Caucus; Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8-NJ), who introduced the
concurrent
resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives and who co-chairs the
Italian American Congressional Delegation; and Rep. Michael Bilirakis
(R-9-FL) who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues and
who
co-sponsored the concurrent resolution. The Honorable Lindy Boggs, a
former
ambassador to the Vatican and member of Congress also offered remarks.

At the Statuary Hall reception, the audience received remarks from: Sen.
Clinton; Rep. Pascrell and his co-chair of the Italian American
Congressional Delegation, Rep. John Mica (R-7-FL); Rep. Carolyn Maloney
(D-14-NY); co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, His
Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, who represented His Eminence
Archbishop
Demetrios,; Supreme President Gus J. James, II; and Dr. A. Kenneth
Ciongoli, Chairman of NIAF.
An evening reception co-hosted by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and
Michael
Enzi, the co-chairs of the Senate Cultural Caucus, was held in the
Lyndon
Baines Johnson Room of the U.S. Capitol, which was painted by Brumidi.
In
addition to these two senators, also present were: Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes
(D-MD), Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), Rep.
Donald
Payne (D-10-NJ), and Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-1-NV) who is of Greek
heritage.

Supreme President James, who spoke at both receptions, said of Brumidi:
His
Greek heritage provided his passion for democracy, citizenship, and
liberty
and his Italian heritage provided the artistic influence, talent and
style
through which he communicated his love for America on the corridors, in
the
rooms, and in the canopy of the Capitol Rotunda. Brumidi truly
fulfilled
the ultimate American Dream.

He added: We are grateful to our friends in Congress who worked
together in
a bipartisan spirit to properly commemorate Brumidi and his
contributions to
America. Moreover, we are pleased to work closely with our Italian
American
colleagues and friends on this noble initiative.

Dr. Ciongoli, chairman, NIAF, also presented remarks at both receptions.
In
the evening, Consul Adamandia Klotsa spoke on behalf of the Embassy of
Greece and Minister Stefano Stefanini spoke on behalf of the Embassy of
Italy. Curator Barbara Wolanin enlightened the audience about Brumidis
life and artwork. Also in attendance during the entire days events was
Margaret G. Conomos, a descendant of Brumidi who resides in Washington.
Past Supreme President Franklin R. Manios, Supreme Vice President Ike
Gulas,
and Supreme Counselor Arthur Dimopoulos accompanied James.

A framed proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Brumidi was
presented
to James, Ciongoli, Klotsa and Stefanini by Senators Enzi, Kennedy, and
Sarbanes all of who co-sponsored the proclamation.

For statements issued by members of Congress on yesterdays events,
please
visit the following Web sites:

* Minority Leader Pelosi:
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/July05/brumidi.html

* Rep. Bilirakis:
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/fl09_bilirakis/prl_brumidi_rotunda.html

* Rep. Pascrell, Jr.: http://www.pascrell.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=10882

The son of a Greek father and Italian mother, Constantino Brumidi
arrived in
New York where he began building his legacy as the Michelangelo of
America. His most famous work is the Apotheosis of Washington, a
captivating fresco that covers the inside of the Capitol Rotunda. He
also
painted a majority of the Frieze of American History, a piece that bands
around the base of the Rotunda. Mr. Brumidi has been honored in the
Capitol
in 1952, 1968 and 1980. The late Congressman Peter Rodino (N.J.) was
the
master of ceremonies during the 1968 and 1980 ceremonies.

These important events were the result of the collaboration of a number
of
groups including: The NIAF/Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum on
Capitol
Hill; The Constantino Brumidi Society; Order Sons of Italy in American
(OSIA); and the Conference of Italian American Presidents.

# # #

Founded in 1922, AHEPA is the largest and oldest American-based, Greek
heritage grassroots membership organization. Its mission is to promote
Hellenism and the ancient Greek ideals of philanthropy, education, civic
responsibility, and family and individual excellence through community
service. For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.

The NIAF, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., is
dedicated
to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. The NIAF organizes
cultural activities and helps young people with scholarships,
internships
and other programs. Visit our web site at www.niaf.org.

AH/0705/2

(PHOTO CAPTION)

Receiving the Senate Resolution that honors Constantino Brumidi's legacy
are
(l-r): AHEPA Supreme President James, NIAF Chairman Dr. Ciongoli,
Presenters
Senators Kennedy and Enzi, Minister Stefanini, and Consul Klotsa.

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Edited by Giorgos (Fri Jul 29 2005 11:28 AM)

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