Join us for EMBCA’s "3rd Hellenic American State Legislators Forum” Webinar Panel Discussion on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 2 P.M. EST/ 9 P.M. Athens EEST. The panel discussion will be introduced and moderated by Lou Katsos EMBCA’s President. The distinguished American state legislators of Hellenic descent panel will include Lou Raptakis, State Senator from Rhode Island; New York State Assemblyman John Lemondes ; Connecticut State Representative Katherine Anna “Tina” Courpas; Pennsylvania State Representative Steven R. Malagari; Connecticut State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw; and Connecticut State Representative Savet Constantine.

This important bipartisan forum aims to highlight the essential role that state legislators play in shaping the lives of everyday citizens and in influencing broader regional, national, and even international policy. While much political attention is often placed on federal offices, it is at the state level where laws are crafted and implemented on critical issues such as education, public health, transportation infrastructure, housing, economic development, public safety, and environmental sustainability. State legislators are in many respects the most direct and accessible representatives of the people, serving as the critical link between government and local communities.

Elected legislators are deeply embedded in the communities they serve. They hold regular public meetings, attend community events, and maintain open lines of communication with their constituents. This grassroots connection fosters a sense of trust, transparency, and accountability key components of a vibrant democratic system. It also allows these legislators to craft policies that respond directly to the unique cultural, economic, and social circumstances of their states and districts.

In moments of crisis whether natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic downturns state legislators are often on the frontlines of the response, advocating for swift action, targeted aid, and community-based recovery efforts. Their proximity to the people allows them to assess needs quickly and implement solutions tailored to local realities.

In this webinar, we will engage directly with Hellenic American bipartisan legislators about their experiences and responsibilities in state government, their role in navigating the evolving landscape of American politics, and their efforts to promote Hellenic values and priorities within their legislative work. The conversation will also touch on their views regarding the recent U.S. national and state elections, and the impact of emerging political trends on governance at all levels.

Beyond their roles within their respective states, the panelists are also members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA), a global organization that fosters cooperation among legislators of Hellenic descent. PADEE-WHIA supports dialogue with the Hellenic Parliament and promotes shared strategies for addressing issues concerning Greece, Cyprus, and the global Hellenic diaspora. These efforts are especially important in advancing Hellenic perspectives in international relations, regional security in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the strengthening of transatlantic cultural and political ties.

We invite you to join this timely and insightful discussion, as we explore how Hellenic American legislators are shaping the present and future locally, nationally, and globally while staying rooted in the values of their heritage.

EMBCA is an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Internal Revenue (IRC) Section 501(c)(3), classified as a public charity, and qualifies to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522 . Donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170. Thank you all again for your continuing enthusiasm and support of our events !!