Gianaris, 'Idol' Star Maroulis Are Guests At Greek Parade

Assemblymember Michael Gianaris (l.) and "American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis were among the honored guests in the 2006 Greek Independence Day parade in Manhattan April 2.

Assemblymember Michael Gianaris and Constantine Maroulis, "American Idol" finalist,

were among the honored

guests at the Greek Independence Day parade in Manhattan last Sunday, April 2.

Gianaris is a lifelong resident of Astoria, where he was born to Nicholas and Magdalene Gianaris. He attended P. S. 84, J.H. S. 141 and Long Island City H. S. before graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Fordham University and receiving his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. A Democrat, he represents the 36th Assembly District.

Before his election to the Assembly, Gianaris was a member of Queens Community Planning Board 1. He has also served as legal counsel to the United Community Civic Association and as a board member of the Eastern Orthodox Lawyers Association.

In both his civic and governmental capacities, Gianaris has been a leader on environmental issues, fighting to reduce pollution emanating from Western Queens power plants and other emissions sources. As an Assemblymember, he has continued his efforts to reduce pollution and protect the health of area communities.

Maroulis, a 30-year-old singer and performing artist, finished sixth on American Idol after an abrupt departure in April 2005 from Season Four of America's most watched show. He went on to perform in last summer's highly successful "American Idol Tour". In October 2005, he signed with Kelsey Grammer's production company, Gramnet,

and ABC Television to develop a sitcom based on his life. He was named People Magazine's "Sexiest 30 Year-Old" in 2005 and has been a guest on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, "Ellen", "Regis and Kelly" and "Fox and Friends".

Raised in Brooklyn, Maroulis moved to New Jersey before leaving home to attend Boston Conservatory. After graduating in 2002, he amassed stage credits playing title roles in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and "Jesus Christ Superstar", as well as Roger in "Rent", Tom Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath", Malcolm in "Macbeth" and Tony in "West

Side Story". In addition, he has appeared on the NBC series "Law & Order: SVU", on the WB network and in several independent films. In 2003 he beat out more than 150 singers to join the band "Pray for the Soul of Betty". His recent run on "American Idol" thrust the band into the international spotlight.

The 2006 Greek Independence Day parade consisted of more than 50 floats (the largest number ever), community groups, churches, and Greek American and Philhellenes from New York City and the tri-state area. Honored guests included the Evzones (the elite Greek Presidential Guard), members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Color Guard, members of the Greek Army Philharmonic Band and Greek and U.S. government officials. Philip Christopher, Tasos Manessis and Georgia Kaloidis, civic leaders, served as parade cochairpersons.

The Greek Independence Day parade is held on the Sunday closest to March 25, when in 1821, after 400 years of rule by the Ottoman Empire, Greece declared its independence. The annual celebration brings together thousands of Greek-American civic, religious, and political organizations, representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church, and U.S. and Greek government officials to march in the parade up Fifth Avenue.

The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, organizer of the annual Greek Independence Day parade, is a not-forprofit organization comprised of nearly 200 cultural, civic, regional and professional organizations. The federation's mission is to preserve and promote Hellenic culture and heritage throughout the five boroughs of New York.