LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the inauguration of the first
Greek-American library established and operated in New York City at the
Pan-Macedonian Studies Center, Inc. in Whitestone, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across the great State
of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the inauguration of the first Greek-American library established
and operated in New York City at the Pan-Macedonian Studies Center, Inc.
in Whitestone, New York, to be celebrated on Friday, January 20, 2012;
and
WHEREAS, The inauguration and blessing of the new Greek-American
library will be officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of Amer-
ica; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Elias Neofytides founded the Pan-Macedonian Studies
Center, Inc. along with Mr. Paul Evangelou Esq., Barbara Papigioti and
Fotis Gerasopoulos; and
WHEREAS, Their goal was and continues to be the creation of a complete
educational center established to benefit the community; many programs
were started and a book collection from both Greece and the United
States was instrumental in the creation of the first Greek-American
library in New York; to date, over 5,000 books have been collected and
some have been donated to schools and public libraries throughout the
United States; and
WHEREAS, The Pan-Macedonian Studies Center, Inc. is currently creating
book clubs and is planning on collaborating with Higher Educational
Centers, as they have done in the past, making rare books from their
collection which were made available from donors, obtainable to students
to assist them with their studies and research projects; and
WHEREAS, For the past 15 years, the Pan-Macedonian Studies Center,
Inc. has aired a weekly television program titled "Macedonian TV of
USA" in both Queens and Nassau County; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, monthly lectures have been held in many catego-
ries such as tutoring, dance lessons, and computer lessons; and the
Pan-Macedonian Studies Center, Inc. has hosted numerous health fairs;
and
WHEREAS, All programs provided to the public by the Pan-Macedonian
Studies Center, Inc. are at no cost to the public; the Center is run by
volunteers, both young and old, and is under the luminous direction of
its current President, Dimitrios Bozirikidis; and
WHEREAS, This occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative
Body to recognize and pay tribute to the first Greek-American library
established and operated in New York City; and
WHEREAS, The first Greek-American library may take just pride in its
purposeful beginnings, as it looks forward to serving the educational,
cultural and intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the inauguration of the first Greek-American library estab-
lished and operated in New York City at the Pan-Macedonian Studies
Center, Inc. in Whitestone, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dimitrios Bozirikidis, President, and members of the Board of

Directors of the Pan-Macedonian Studies Center, Inc. 149-14 14th Avenue,
Whitestone, New York 11357.