2013 -- S 0788

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LC02156

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ANDREW A. ATHENS

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Gallo, Paiva Weed, Walaska, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: March 20, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Andrew

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A. Athens, a devoted family man, Chairman of Metron Steel, a major mid-west steel corporation,

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and one of the eminent leaders in the international Greek community; and

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     WHEREAS, Blessed with a close and loving family, Mr. Athens was a devoted husband

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of sixty-seven years to his wife, Louise, a wonderful father to his children, Paul and his wife,

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Kellee, and Jacqueline and her husband, Alex, and his four cherished grandchildren, Andrew and

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wife, Lanci, Alexa, James Paul, and Matthew, who kept him young at heart; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Athens was born and spent his childhood in Chicago, Illinois. As with

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many young men of the day, Mr. Athens left college, against his father's wishes, to defend

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America and the free world against Hitler's Axis Forces during World War II; and

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     WHEREAS, Widely considered to be the leader of the millions of Greeks living outside

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of Greece, Mr. Athens was the first and longest tenured President of the World Council of

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Hellenes Abroad (SAE). He has also been hailed for almost singlehandedly creating health clinics

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in the Hellenic areas of the Republics of Albania, Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine, which resulted

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in saving the lives of thousands of patients who would otherwise have had no high quality

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medical treatment; and

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     WHEREAS, At the request of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Iakovos, Mr. Athens

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united the Greek-American community’s strength to positively affect American foreign policy.

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He worked closely with other Hellenes, including George P. Livanos, George Paraskevaides,

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Angelo Tsakopoulos, Philip Christopher, Andy Manatos, Nikos Mouyiaris, Peter Papanicolaou,

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and many others in the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, which became a vital and effective tool

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and resource for Congress and many of our country’s Presidents and resulted in myriad benefits

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for the countries of Greece and Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Athens was the lay head of the Archdiocesan Council of the

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Greek Orthodox Church in America for more than a decade. He was also the founder of Orthodox

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Christian Charities and a founder of Leadership 100, and had twice chaired the Clergy-Laity

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Congress, to name just three of his major accomplishments in this field; and

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     WHEREAS, In the journey of life some people leave an indelible mark, making it

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impossible to ever forget them. Mr. Athens was just such a man. He epitomized what is best

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about Hellenism and Orthodoxy, and his accomplishments for the Greek Orthodox Church are

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enduring. His intelligence, sincerity, charm, and the love he had for his family will be felt and

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treasured by generations to come; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby extends our deepest sympathy on the passing of Andrew A. Athens; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Louise Athens and Family.

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LC02156

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