Congressman Crowley, House Colleagues, Greek-American Community Celebrate Health Benefits of the Greek Diet

(Washington, D.C.) – On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, joined his Congressional colleagues,  Greece’s Ambassador to the United States Christos Panagopoulos, renowned chefs and nutrition experts from Greece and the U.S., and members of the Greek-American community in an event recognizing the health benefits of the Greek diet. The event follows a recent New York Times article and an accompanying study in the New England Journal of Medicine documenting new findings on how people in countries like Greece have contributed to the health of their populations by embracing a diet that has been shown to reduce heart attacks and strokes.

“It was great to join my colleagues in Congress, Ambassador Panagopoulos, and the Greek-American community in an event where we not only had the chance to learn more about the health benefits of Greek cuisine, but we got to try it too,” said Rep. Crowley. “When it comes to healthy eating, we have much to learn from our Greek friends!”

The event, which took place in the Rayburn House Office Building of the U.S. Capitol, included Food Network personality and chef Cat Cora and former Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” contestant and restaurateur Mike Isabella, among others, as well as healthy eating advocates. Following an informational presentation on the Greek diet, attendees were invited to participate in cooking demonstrations and taste a sampling of Greek cuisine.

Earlier in the week, Crowley met with Ambassador Panagopoulos in his Capitol Hill office, where they discussed the healthy eating event as well as a number of issues of importance to U.S.-Greece relations, including geopolitical relations, Greece’s upcoming leadership of the European Union, and the proud Greek-American community in New York.

“I was honored to meet with Ambassador Panagopoulos and I appreciated our discussion on a number of issues at the forefront of U.S.-Greece relations,” said Rep. Crowley. “New York is home to a vibrant Greek community and there is no question this community plays a significant role in strengthening the ties between our two countries. I look forward to continuing to work with Ambassador Panagopoulos and the Greek-American community moving forward.”

Congressman Crowley is the eight-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.