TO: ARISTOTELES CHAPTER NO. 34,
ORDER OF AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL
PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION, PITTSBURGH

It gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest personal regards to you, as you gather to recognize July 20, 2002, as Day of Remembrance of the Republic of Cyprus.

Independence stands steadfast as an inherent right of man. Our great nation was founded on this belief and continues to grow and prosper as we celebrate the dimensions of individual and community freedom. Your ancestors' struggle with Turkey, and their ongoing quest for freedom, reminds us of the great price and of the great rewards the fight for independence entails.

Pennsylvania joins the rest of the world in mourning all those lost during the July 20, 1974, invasion of the Island of Cyprus by Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims whom we hope will suffer no further sorrow.

On behalf of all Pennsylvanians, I extend best wishes to everyone gathered here to recognize July 20, 2002, as Day of Remembrance of the Republic of Cyprus. I ask all Pennsylvanians to pause in recognition of the innumerable contributions that citizens of Cypriot descent have played in the cultural, economic and civic development of Pennsylvania.

MARK SCHWEIKER
July 20, 2002