New Rhode Island License Plate Honors State's Greek Heritage

A new law has cleared the way for Rhode Island to honor its Greek heritage.

Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis, D-Coventry, West Greenwich, and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, Cranston, introduced the bill for the new license plate along with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, according to a media release.

“The noble Hellenic community in our state has always emphasized the strong connection between Rhode Island, known for its commitment to independence, and the nation of Greece, which was the birthplace of democracy," Raptakis said in the release. "Hellenic Rhode Islanders are proud of their heritage and this bill will allow them to further share their rich and historic culture with the rest of the state."

“Rhode Island is home to many proud Hellenic people and families, and this bill will allow them to showcase their pride of their rich Greek culture to everyone on our state’s roadways," McNamara said in the release. "It’s an honor to introduce this bill for my Hellenic constituents and the rest of Rhode Island’s Greek community."

According to the release, the new law "empowers the Division of Motor Vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association."

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association is a "fraternal organization founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia," the release said.

The organization was "founded with a focus on civil rights, particularly to counteract the Ku Klux Klan," the release said. "It is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe."

Rhode Island has three AHEPA chapters associated with the Assumption, Annunciation and St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Churches located in Cranston, Newport and Pawtucket, the release said.