District: New York’s 13th Congressional District (Staten Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Graves End)

Committee/Leadership Assignments: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Vice Chair; Subcommittee on Aviation; Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials) and Committee on Foreign Affairs (Subcommittee on Europe; Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia; Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade)

Contact: Phone (202) 225-3371, (718) 351-1062; Fax (202) 226-1272; (718) 980-0768

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Regarding the state of the US economy, what are the prospects for recovery, and how soon?

I remain optimistic that we will begin to see signs that our economy is once-again flourishing soon. In fact, I feel that we have already started to make the turn-around to a healthy fiscal position. Thanks in no small part to legislation like the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Recovery Act), the HIRE Act and the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, our government is making critical investments in our infrastructure and workforce while establishing or strengthening the regulations needed to protect our consumers. In my district of Staten Island and Brooklyn, $175 million in Recovery Act funds will be used to rehabilitate the Staten Island Ferry terminal. This funding will not only preserve a landmark, the Staten Island Ferry remains the only free means of transportation around New York City. We also received $40 million in Recovery Act funds to improve the Staten Island Expressway and over $200 million to rehabilitate 12 subways stations and the D/M subway line in the Brooklyn portion of the district. These projects modernize our infrastructure and provide honest, good-paying jobs at a time when people need them. We have also been fortunate to have over 25 small businesses receive loans from the Recovery Act to keep their businesses going. And these are just some of the ways we are working to bolster our economy. So I have faith that we will begin to see the signs of an economic upturn in the near future.

What are some of the particular challenges that you are facing in your district?

Creating jobs is always a priority of mine and I am constantly working with my colleagues in Congress to tap into new sources of job creation. Right now, I am also working on the financial regulatory reform bill that is being conferenced between the House and Senate. With approximately 75,000 of my constituents working on Wall Street or in an ancillary job, it is critical that we institute thoughtful regulations of our financial services industry that protect consumers but that do not push jobs to overseas markets. The Financial Services Industry is the leading force driving New York City’s economy and we cannot afford to pass regulation that will be too stringent and drive investors to Singapore, Zurich or another foreign city that does not stifle the market.

I know that many people, including lawmakers, are angry at Wall Street because they want to place blame for the economic downturn and I am angry too. But we need to realize that we should be punishing the few, greedy individuals who are responsible rather than the entire industry. When we punish the “big banks,” we are not only punishing their CEOs but also our local branch managers and the janitors who clean their buildings and restaurant owners who feed their employees. The ripple effect of over-regulation who be devastating for New York City, and eventually the country, so I am working hard to make sure that we institute common-sense legislation that will allow the financial services industry to flourish in a safe way.

What would you say is the state of our democracy in these challenging and unusually polarized times?

Unfortunately, I believe we live in the age of sound bites, and that can cause a great partisan divide amongst our lawmakers. And that is not in the best interest of the American people. I am proud to say that I will work with any lawmaker – democrat, republican, independent – to get the job done for my constituents. In fact, since coming to Washington, I have worked consistently with Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) on an issue which is very close to my heart – veterans’ mental health. We have a diverse country with a number of distinct challenges facing us as a Nation. We need our lawmakers to work together and come to a sense of mutual understanding so that we can tackle these challenges for the benefit of all our country’s citizens.

In various polls conducted throughout the U.S. Congress hasn't fared well with the American people. Why is that, in your opinion, and how do you address is issue as Congressman?

I think that many working families are feeling the effects of the economic downturn and are looking to their government for answers. The American people, however, should know that many members in Congress and in the Administration are fighting hard to make things better for them. I am working to make sure our children receive the quality education they deserve, our veterans receive the services they need and our seniors can retire in comfort and with dignity. I am also working to strengthen our national security and protect our citizens. We are dealing with a number of important issues and that can be overwhelming, but we are continuing to work hard and things will turn around.

Would you encourage more active voter participation in your decision making as Congressman, using the advances of technology, like the Internet and other forms of communication?

I have always said that hearing from my constituents is critical to doing what’s best from the district. In fact, I have often credited my constituents with pointing my attention to various needs in our community. Because of all the constituents who have spoken to me and whose voices have been heard, many key, community initiatives are taking place. As a way to engage my constituents, I have use various types of online and social media since taking office in January 2009. I have an active Facebook page and Twitter account, which informs the constituents following me of my recent work. I also send our regular eNewsletters, held tele-town halls and keep my website as up-to-date as possible. I hope that these forms of outreach, and in particular, my website, serve as valuable resources for the residents of Staten Island and Brooklyn.

How did you become interested in the Greek-American community, and who introduced you to them?

I have always been interested in the Greek-American community. As you know, before Congress I was in the New York City Council where I worked to introduce a resolution condemning Turkey’s occupation of Northern Cyprus. Running for Congress, Greek and Cypriot American supporters including Peter Papanicolau and others were early supporters of my campaign and I am proud to represent them. I have continued this advocacy through my position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Throughout my life, I have lived near Greek families and I very much relate their plight to that of the Irish, which as you may know, I am intimately familiar with.

What are your thoughts on the Cyprus issue and what are some of the things you've done to support settlement efforts?

Ending the occupation of Cyprus has long been a focus of my political career. Greece and Cyprus’s steadfast commitment to finding peaceful solutions to ending the occupation have touched and motivated my own work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. After over 30 years, the division of Cyprus continues, despite thousands of peaceful crossings through the years. I am proud to say that each time Secretary Clinton has come to address the Committee, I have brought up Cyprus. In fact, Secretary Clinton described Cyprus as a strategic focal point in response to my questions on integrating the Island. I have also hosted Minister Kyprianou of Cyprus at a Members-Only briefing for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The bottom-line is that I will not allow the ongoing occupation of Cyprus to be ignored, and I hope to lead a congressional delegation with the subcommittee on Europe to Cyprus next year to further highlight the issue.

Do you consider Turkish provocations in the Aegean a threat to regional stability and international peace? Also, what actions have you taken or do you plan to take to encourage the US to take a stronger stance against this kind of irresponsible behavior?

I think that any type of unnecessary military aggression is a serious threat to the region. There is no need for it, and I must commend Greece for continually standing strong against taking the bait and entering into conflict with Turkey over these provocations. I am particularly encouraged by last month’s summit between Greece and Turkey where, for the first time in history, the two countries signed 21 agreements to boost trade, cut defense spending and increase tourism. I believe that this is a positive step in the right direction for the Aegean. I will monitor it closely and definitely respond if Turkey continues its harassment in the Aegean, despite the recent agreements with Greece.

Are you aware of the state persecution against the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey and what have you done to address this issue in Congress?

I am very much aware of the fragile state of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and am concerned for the future and longevity of this historic institution. I have signed legislation expressing this view and have sent letters expressing my disapproval of Turkey’s refusal to recognize this body. I have met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and know that despite Turkey’s refusal to reopen Halki’s doors and grant the Church the legitimacy that it is owed and had in the past, the Ecumenical Patriarch is a peaceful leader who patiently works with both sides to resolve the matter. I believe the US must play an integral role in encouraging Turkey from moving away from any xenophobic moves to diminish the Patriarchate. After all, I believe that this recognition would not only benefit the Patriarchate’s legacy, but Turkey’s multi-cultural history, as well.

Since the Bush Administration recognized FYROM as "Macedonia", the country has become more intransigent when it comes to territorial and cultural irredentism against Greece that happens to be its major financial supporter. What kind of action on the part of the US would you promote in order for a mutually acceptable solution to be facilitated?

The Bush Administration made a serious mistake when it inaccurately labeled FYROM as “Macedonia,” and we continue to see the repercussions of this action to this day. I have denounced this move through co-sponsoring legislation in the House, and I will work to make sure that a mutual agreeable name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, is reached. After all, Macedonia is Greek!