US Secretary of Energy is Honored by
Cyprus US Chamber with Merit Award
What does the US Secretary of Energy
Dr. Ernest Jeffrey Moniz, Democratic Gubernatorial candidate for Pennsylvania
Katie McGinty and Consul General of Cyprus Koula Sofianou have in common? All
three were in attendance at the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce Annual Award
Dinner held Thursday, December 12 2013 at the NY Hilton, with the Secretary of
Energy being the guest of honor and receiving the coveted Merit Award of the
organization.
Congratulatory messages were
dispatched to the Chamber by Archbishop Demetrios, the President of the
Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, the Minister of of Energy, Commerce,
Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, NY State Governor Andrew
Cuomo, the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus to Washington respectively, Christos Panagopoulos and
George Chacalli, outgoing New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and Cyprus
Institute president, Costas N. Papanicolas.
The program began with the Chamber’s
Executive Director Despina Axiotakis’introduction, after which Fox Businesss
Network’s anchor Nicole Petallides launched the proceedings by introducing
Bishop Sevastianos of Zela who performed the Invocation. After the National
Anthems the Consul Generals of Greece and Cyprus, Georgios Iliopoulos and Koula
Sofianou respectively spoke, followed by the Chambers newly–elected president
Nicholas A. Karacostas, who introduced the honoree by saying that he is
“recognized for his contributions in strengthening relations between cyprus and
the United States through his work and collaboration as a founding member of
the cyprus Institute. He was instrumental” he continued, “ in forging the
concept , and the launch of the cyprus Institute. Furthermore, he also served
as a founding member of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology’s energy Institute that recently launched the
study of Cyprus’ hydrocarbons.” Karakostas then introduced the honoree.
In receiving the distinguished Merit
Award of the Chamber, Dr. Moniz reminded the turnout that it wasn’t the first
time he was being honored by Cypriots, having received some years ago the Cross
of Makarios III for his services to Cyprus. A nuclear physicist and the 13th
US Secretary of Energy since May 2013, Dr Moniz went to Cyprus in 2001, he
said, when the Cyprus Institute was “a gleam in the eye of some visionaries.”
Costas Papanicolas who later became the entity’s president, asked the scientist
for his cooperation, citing that a scientific organization such as the Cyprus
Institute would help address the problems that plague relationships in the
region. Having taken Frank Rose of Cornell University with him, Dr. Moniz
listened to the proposal and then his edict came in three words: “You’re crazy!”
he told the group.“ This can’t be done the way you want.”
The group however did not back down,
the government official continued. Professor Papanicolas and his followers
finally made the project a reality, the Cyprus Institute took flesh and bones.
It also has attracted a specter of important members and science can make a
difference, bringing prosperity to the region. Dr. Moniz counts as one of the
Institutes founders.
The nuclear phycisist also made
mention of the latest developments as of 2012, and the technology being put in
use in the area of Paphos for the sake of archeology. He said he was committed
supporting the research institite’s policies on energy and water which are the
challenges that Cyprus faces. He also mentioned that another project of the
Cyprus Institute is the multi-institutional cause of Tidal Changes, the drout,
wild fires, and in general, changes across the rgion.
Before dinner was served, the
Board of the Chamber gathered on stage to bestow an award on the Cyprus Consul
General who was returning to her land in a matter of days. The award was given
for her efforts and work, and the zboard unanimously wished her luck in her
vfuture endeavors.
