It is indeed a special honor today. because this year marks the 25th year that His Eminence has served as spiritual leader for the entire Greek Orthodox population of the Western Hemisphere. Archbishop Iakovos is well known here in Washington and throughout the world as a strong defender of religious and civil rights and as a prominent spokesman for humanitarian causes. His leadership of the campaign to assist GreekCypriot refugees. following the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces in 1974. won the hearts and minds of Americans of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. I know this personally. because the Archbishops efforts so convinced me that I sought and won $15 million in foreign aid for the GreekCypriot refugees. 200 percent more than the administration had requested. It is my fervent hope that the Archbishops courageous stand on behalf of human rights is rewarded by a peaceful settlement in Cyprus. I commend him for his achievements and wish him many more years of success in leading the Greek Orthodox community in the Western Hemisphere.o
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refugees