Senate Resolution No. 3646

BY: Senator AVELLA

HONORING Helen Chiotes upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Homeric Award by the
Chian Federation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Helen Chiotes has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Helen
Chiotes upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Homeric
Award by the Chian Federation, to be celebrated at its 38th Annual
Homeric Award Gala on Friday, February 9, 2018, at the Hellenic American
Cultural Center, Astoria, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Homeric Award was established in 1977, to honor
individuals who have exhibited exceptional leadership in the field of
politics, science, arts, education, and public service; these
individuals have distinguished themselves in their field and have shown
strong and abiding commitment to public service and social progress,
serving as an exemplary model to humanity; and

WHEREAS, Helen Chiotes is a renowned Journalist, Philanthropist, and
advocate of numerous US/Hellenic and Orthodox causes; and

WHEREAS, A 40-year veteran of CBS, Helen Chiotes has always been
committed to the Greek Orthodox Church; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, Helen Chiotes was invited by the late
Archbishop Iakovos to participate in a panel on American media which
promoted the Greek Orthodox Church; nine years later, she was
instrumental in arranging the first television broadcast of the Divine
Liturgy from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New York; and

WHEREAS, Helen Chiotes is the youngest daughter of Constantine and
Vasiliki Chiotes, who came to America from Sparta, Greece, at the age of
16; at an early age, she dedicated her time to studying various forms of
dance, expecting to become a ballerina; and

WHEREAS, After attending the Barbizon School of fashion modeling,
Helen Chiotes became a fashion and photographic model, which led to her
career as an executive at CBS; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable woman went on to study journalism at New
York University and various subjects at the New York School for Social
Research; she focused on adult education at the New York County Lawyers
Association and advanced economics at the Henry George School of Social
Science; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Helen
Chiotes was the subject of commendation in two separate editions of the
book, Two Thousand Women Achievement; she was also featured in the book,
Foremost Women in Communications, and received recognition for
outstanding and continuing meritorious service to CBS; and

WHEREAS, Helen Chiotes is a member of the Women's Press Club of New
York City, the American Women in Radio and Television and the National
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Helen Chiotes has displayed
throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Helen Chiotes, that future generations may know and appreciate her
admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which she is held by her peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Helen Chiotes upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Homeric Award by the Chian Federation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Helen Chiotes.