While Mr. Giannoulias was visiting Los Angeles, The American Hellenic Council leadership co-hosted an event to support the 34-year old candidate in his effort to join the exclusive group of 100. If elected, Mr. Giannoulias will join Senator Olympia Snow of Maine as the only Greek-Americans in the US Senate in this coming election.

Mr. Giannoulias, who is a son of Greek immigrants, spoke to the young members of our community about the need for a sustainable economic development and for policies to bring America back on a path of prosperity and growth. His vision consists of bringing back to this country the aura of the American Dream that his parents and he are part of: The ability to start with nothing and still be very successful, if you work hard at what you do.

Alexi, a champion of the middle class, has refused to take political contributions from corporations and corporate Political Action Committees, which has put his campaign in peril but also illustrates that he is willing to put his money where his mouth is and be honest with the American people. Mr. Giannoulias also spoke of the need for a prudent foreign policy, one that subscribes to human rights and freedom of religion.

The latest polls put Mr. Giannoulias in a statistical dead heat with opponent Mark Kirk (R) for the Senate seat previously held by President Obama. The Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll of 600 respondents shows each candidate with 34%, with the Green Party candidate receiving 6% and the Libertarian Party candidate 4%. The margin of error of the poll was at +/- 4%.

With the elections only a few days away and the two candidates so close in the polls, Mike Galanakis, President of the AHC stressed how important it is for the Greek community to support Alexi.