As a proud Greek American, the U.S. Congressman from New Hampshire’s first district, and the co-chair of the Hellenic caucus in Congress, I know that I would not be who I am or where I am today, without my upbringing in a Greek family, rooted in our shared tradition of serving others.
My family came to America from a small village on a hilltop in Greece for the same reason as millions before them and after them. They were in search of a better life in a place of opportunity and promise.
It wasn’t always easy, but through hard work, determination, and the support of their families and the Greek American community, my great-grandfather founded what would become our family restaurant, the Puritan Backroom.
One hundred and six years later it is still in our family, and the legacy and values of my great-grandfather live on. Growing up working in our restaurant served as a constant reminder that I am the beneficiary of their journey, their struggle, and their hard work.
My great-grandfather’s story encapsulates the very best of the “American dream:” that everyone, no matter their background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, should be able to access opportunities to succeed and enjoy equal rights and freedoms.
That should be the reality for every single American, and I’m eager to continue working in Congress to make life better for families in New Hampshire and across the country and ensure that everyone does have the chance to get ahead.
We’ve made important progress toward that worthy goal. In Congress, we stood up to powerful corporate interests and lowered the price of prescription drugs to help seniors struggling to pay their bills. We expanded the child tax credit and reduced child poverty by 50%. We delivered the most significant investment in our climate and infrastructure in decades to modernize our roads and bridges, connect families and businesses with broadband access, revitalize our economy, and lower energy costs for families. We passed bipartisan legislation to combat the threat of gun violence and invest in mental health care.
But there is so much more work to be done to help families in America make ends meet, to help them afford the cost of child care, housing, groceries and gas, to ensure their children receive a quality education and older adults can pay their health care bills.
I’m running for reelection because I believe in a brighter tomorrow for our country and our world, and I’m eager to continue advocating for solutions that bring us closer to realizing that brighter tomorrow and the “American dream” ideal for everyone.
If the people of New Hampshire send me back to Congress, I will keep fighting to make our economy work for all, not just the super-rich, with provisions like the Child Tax Credit to put more money in the pockets of hardworking families. I will advocate for a tax code that supports small businesses, which are so critical to our local economy and our communities. I will fight for Americans’ fundamental rights, including the sacred right to vote and a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. I will continue my work to make health care more accessible, and safeguard essential programs that are fundamental to the health and well-being of our country, like Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. I will keep working to protect our environment and make our country more inclusive and fair for all people.
Serving in elected office is not about playing politics, scoring points, or advancing personal egos. It’s about serving the public and doing everything you can to try to improve the lives of the people you’ve sworn to serve and represent.
That also means faithfully and responsibly advocating for justice and peace on the international stage. I’ve been an outspoken advocate for the bicommunal reunification of Cyprus, and an end to suffering in wars around the world. I’ve encouraged the U.S. to always stand with our democratic allies in peace, like Greece, and forge a path forward for international partnership and mutual commitment to fight climate change, invest in renewable energy, and create a world order that allows for peace, prosperity, and democratic ideals.
I will keep fighting for the vision of this country that drew our ancestors to America: one where everyone is created equal and can create a prosperous, free, and safe life for themselves and future generations.
While the challenges we face are great, I still believe that together we can stand up for our democracy, create opportunities and safeguard the freedoms of every citizen, and continue our ancestors’ work of creating a more perfect union. That’s why I’m running to continue representing the people of New Hampshire in Congress, and it’s why I’ll keep fighting every day as long as I have this job to serve my community, make life better for families across America, and honor my family’s story and the Hellenic values of service, community, and democracy.
• Chris Pappas, U.S. Congressman for New Hampshire’s first district
