WASHINGTON (22 May) – In recognition for his work to better the Greek community, the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (NCEH) awarded U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, with the prestigious George P. Livanos Award.

Presented on Thursday at the 24th Annual Cyprus, Hellenic and Orthodox Issues Conference, the Livanos Award distinguishes Greek individuals who have worked for great achievements in society while remembering their Hellenic values.

“The George P. Livanos Award is reserved for those Hellenes who, like George Livanos, have been particularly effective in their sacrifices for the betterment of our community,” said Andrew Manatos, president of NCEH. “As a member of the European Affairs Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Bilirakis has ably fulfilled the award’s criteria.”

Awarded annually, previous Livanos Award recipients have included: then-CIA Director George Tenet; then-Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte; former Senator Paul Sarbanes; former Governor and U.S. Presidential Nominee Michael Dukakis; and then-Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Frances Fragos Townsend.