NEW YORK – As the centennial year of The National Herald draws to a close, the newspaper continues to receive honors for its service to the Greek-American community and to society at a whole.
On February 25 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill authorizing the re-naming of the Long Island City street where TNH’s headquarters are located as “Έθνικός Κήρυξ – National Herald Way,” rendering the first institution and the first street in Queens whose name includes Greek letters.
The mayor presented Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris with a ceremonial pen as a keepsake for the special event that filled the rotunda of the ornate Surrogate Courthouse near City Hall with friends and families of 41 individuals who were similarly honored – TNH being the only institution among the honorees.
The late Demetrios Kastanas was one of those honored. His wife, Nomiki, spoke about his life, along with their son George and daughter Matina Siderakis.
The ceremony’s most touching moments were related to the honorees, police officers, firemen, and soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the service of their community and country.
“Έθνικός Κήρυξ – National Herald Way” will be located on 30th Street between 37th and 38th Avenues in Long Island City. A special ceremony is being planned around the date of the newspaper’s 101st anniversary on April 2.
The official press release issued by New York Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, who represents the area near the Herald’s headquarters, reads as follows;
“Today is a historic moment for the Greek- and Cypriot-American community in our City as we officially rename 30th Street between 37th and 38th Avenue in Astoria ‘Εθνικός Κήρυξ – National Herald Way.’
I’m proud to sponsor this significant commemoration honoring the contributions the National Herald has made to my home neighborhood of Astoria, and to make ‘Εθνικός Κήρυξ – National Herald Way’ the first street in Queens named with Greek lettering.
For over a century, the National Herald has been a beacon of progressive press, assisting needy families in the community, and contributing to civic and cultural achievements that make Astoria one of the greatest neighborhoods in our City.”
Councilmember Costa Constantinides said: “For the past 100 years, the National Herald has provided a dedicated Greek language media outlet for Greek-Americans throughout the country. Its in-depth coverage of both domestic issues, as well as foreign-policy and Greece-related news, is a valuable resource for our community We’re proud to commemorate the National Herald’s dedication to our community with this street co-naming and thank Council Member Van Bramer for his strong leadership.”
Accepting the honor, Publisher-Editor Diamataris said: “I am deeply honored and pleased that the City of New York, through the good office of Majority Leader Van Bramer, decided to recognize the significant contribution that the National Herald has made to our community and to society at large for the past 100 years. I want to express my great appreciation to Majority Leader Van Bramer and Mayor de Blasio for an honor that we richly deserve, given our history and our services, and we are deeply appreciative.”