Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Daughters of Penelope, a preeminent international women's association and affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 209) commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Daughters of Penelope, a preeminent international women's association and affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 209 for consideration. This resolution recognizes the significant contribution of American citizens of Greek ancestry and the Daughters of Penelope.

At the outset, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest condolences to the sponsor of this resolution, my friend and colleague, Mrs. Maloney of New York, on the recent loss of her beloved husband, Clifton. Please know that our thoughts and our prayers are with the Congresswoman and her entire family.

Mr. Speaker, the measure before us was introduced on March 4 by Mrs. Maloney and favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on July 10, 2009, by unanimous consent. Notably, this measure enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, let us take a moment to recognize the significant contributions Greek Americans have made to the United States. Greek Americans such as Senator Paul Sarbanes and Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland have served their communities, and Greek Americans have served in our Armed Forces in every war since World War I. Greek Americans have enhanced the art world with works by directors such as Elia Kazan and performers such as Olympia Dukakis.

Further, the resolution makes mention of the Daughters of Penelope. Founded in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope was formed by Alexandra Apostolides Sonenfeld with the help and support of her husband, Dr. Emmanuel Apostolides.

With local chapters in the United States, Canada and Greece, the Daughters of Penelope is a nonpartisan and nondenominational organization that promotes Hellenic heritage and its ideals. Notably, the organization's dedicated members are encouraged to participate in meaningful community service projects, making the Daughters of Penelope a leader in charitable and educational activities.

In its 80 years, the Daughters of Penelope has made great gains in helping women all over the world realize their dreams and leadership potential. Moreover, the Daughters of Penelope has made significant contributions here at home through the organization's commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism, by supporting various charities, sponsoring affordable housing for senior citizens, and by helping spread awareness and providing financial support for medical research. The Daughters of Penelope also sponsors the Penelope Shelter Home for Battered Women, which helps women of all races and faiths during times of need.

Mr. Speaker, let's take a moment to recognize the considerable contributions of Greek Americans to the United States and celebrate the achievements of the Daughters of Penelope through the passage of House Resolution 209.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the kind words of the gentleman from Kentucky, and we continue to reserve.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I ask that Members on both sides support Mrs. Maloney, the lead sponsor of this resolution, H. Res. 209, honoring Greek Americans and their contribution to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today to support House Resolution 209 recognizing the significant contributions of American citizens of Greek ancestry, philhellenes, and the Daughters of Penelope to the United States.

What began with roughly 300,000 Greek immigrants after World War I has grown to more than 3 million Greek Americans today. Throughout our Nation's history, the Greeks who came to America saw the promise and hope for their future. Once there, they have been instrumental in building a Nation from the ground up.

Greek Americans have risen to become leaders in business, government service, medicine and the arts. The State of Maryland was proud to have Paul S. Sarbanes, a Greek American, serve five terms in the United States Senate. Dr. George Papanicolaou saved millions of lives by inventing the Pap test for women, and performers such as Olympia Dukakis and Elia Kazan are but a few examples of how Greek Americans continue to fulfill the American Dream. And we as a country are all better for their many contributions.

Greek Americans have a long history of contributions through community service to the United States. In the early 1900s, they formed a number of organizations that were dedicated to the well-being of families in the communities where Greek Americans lived.

Among the groups that Greek Americans formed was the Daughters of Penelope, which was founded in 1929 in San Francisco and is an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. Today, the Daughters of Penelope has grown to more than 350 chapters throughout the world. The mission of the Daughters of Penelope is to create awareness of the ideals of ancient Greece such as education, civic responsibility, philanthropy and patriotism through community service.

Greek Americans, along with all Americans, can be proud of the Daughters of Penelope's commitment to education. They have provided tens of thousands of dollars annually for scholarships, education seminars, and donating children's books to libraries, schools, shelters, and churches through the ``Open Books'' program.

Other Daughters of Penelope achievements include being the first ethnic organization to submit oral history tapes to the Library of Congress, which provide personal experiences of first-generation Greek Americans.

Now in its 80th year, the Daughters of Penelope continues to promote its ideals and promote awareness through a number of causes, including cancer research, Alzheimer's disease, muscular dystrophy and others.

They also provide financial support for medical research to victims and communities affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and forest fires.

I ask my fellow Members of Congress to join me in recognizing the 80th anniversary of the Daughters of Penelope and the contribution of Greek Americans to the history of the United States and the way in which their presence enriches and strengthens our country.

I support House Resolution 209 and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the resolution considered by the House today, H. Res. 209. This bill recognizes the numerous and wide-ranging contributions made to American society by the Daughters of Penelope, the women's affiliate of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

The Order of the Daughters of Penelope was conceived by Alexandra Apostolides Sonnenfeld and founded on November 16, 1929. In the midst of the economic collapse that led to the Great Depression, Mrs. Apostolides recognized the importance of unity, philanthropy, and education. She and 25 charter members formed the first chapter of the Daughters of Penelope, which is today a leader in philanthropic, educational and cultural activities with over 350 chapters in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and Australia.

H. Res. 209 highlights some of the organization's crowning achievements, including the establishment of Penelope House, a shelter for women and children that aims to help victims of domestic violence regain social and economic independence, and the Daughters of Penelope Foundation, which grants scholarships to promising students and facilitates donations of children's books to needy organizations.

Another issue of critical importance is the oral history project organized and donated to the Library of Congress by the Daughters of Penelope. This project chronicles the experiences of first-generation Greek-American women. I know this project will preserve these vital records so that future generations of Greek-Americans--like my children--will maintain an important link with their ancestors.

I am proud of my Greek heritage and of the accomplishments of the Order of the Daughters of Penelope. I think it only fitting that now, as we face our own economic crisis, we recognize the importance of those values that carry us through the most difficult times. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 209, bipartisan legislation I introduced, with Hellenic Caucus cochair, Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

This resolution recognizes the significant contributions of American citizens of Greek ancestry and Philhellenes, and the Daughters of Penelope to the United States.

Founded November 16, 1929, in San Francisco, California, the Daughters of Penelope was established to improve the well-being of women and provide them with the opportunity to make significant contributions to American society.

Today, its mission is to promote the ideals of ancient Greece, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

As a cofounder and cochair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I have had the privilege to see the significant contributions of the Daughters of Penelope in the Greek American community.

The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) is a preeminent international women's organization and affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the nation's leading association of American citizens of Greek heritage.

Over its history, the Daughters of Penelope has achieved remarkable accomplishments. It has strengthened the status of women in society, sheltered the elderly and the abused, educated our youth, promoted Hellenic heritage, and raised funds for medical research.

With their strong work ethic, Greek-Americans have risen to become leaders in their respective professions, from government to business to the arts. The Daughters of Penelope has been a vehicle through which this advancement has occurred in our society.

I want to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support of this bill and for moving it through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

I urge my colleagues to support it.