George Demeter

Photo of George Demeter
Born George Demeter
(1896-03-13)March 13, 1896 [1]
Athens, Greece [1]
Died 1983 (aged 86–87)[2]
Occupation Lawyer-Parliamentarian[1]
Alma mater Harvard College '18, Boston University Law School '24 [1]

George Demeter (/dɪˈmiːtər/; 1896–1983) is the author of Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure.[3] The second Wednesday in April has been designated as George Demeter Day in Massachusetts.[4]

Political involvement

Demeter served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for two terms in 1932 and 1934 representing the Back Bay district.[1][5][6] Demeter was the first Greek-American to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, building on the unsuccessful bid of Greek-American Nicholas G. Veniopoulos Nestor in 1922, who had gained the Republican nomination.[5][6]

Greek–American involvement

Demeter became involved with the national Greek-American service organization AHEPA, soon after it was founded on July 26, 1922. He was President of the Boston Lodge in 1923.[7] After Supreme President H. N. Wells was voted out of office in March 1924, he assumed the role of Supreme President of AHEPA for three months.[5][8][9]

While serving as Supreme President he contributed an editorial to the 1924 convention edition of "The Ahepa" entitled "Why Greek Organizations Fail!"[10] Sometime during this period between 1920 and 1940, Demeter was president of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England.[11] At the 27th Supreme Convention in 1949, AHEPA adopted Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure for its own use.[12] Demeter continued to be active in AHEPA as a Past Supreme President. He participated through at least the 47th Supreme Convention in 1969.[13]

Demeter was involved in the decision to include the Greek traditions of a laurel wreath and bronze medal in the Boston Marathon.[2] He crowned the winner of each race and gave them a medal from Greece for each marathon from 1931 to 1947.[2]

Academic work

Demeter was a professor of law at both Boston University and Suffolk University.[14][15] He also instructed new members of the Massachusetts Legislature in legislative procedure.[15]

Works

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Public officials of Massachusetts". The Causeway Print. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Coughlin, William (17 March 1983). "GEORGE DEMETER, 90; WAS LAWYER, STATE LEGISLATOR, PARLIAMENTARIAN". Boston Globe. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Demeter, George (1969). Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, Blue Book
  4. ↑ http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/actsResolves/1989/1989acts0208.pdf
  5. 1 2 3 "Prominent Speakers to Be Heard at Ahepa Banquet". Lowell Sun. 23 March 1938. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  6. 1 2 "St. George Cathedral Community History". Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  7. ↑ Leber 1972, p. 162.
  8. ↑ Leber 1972, p. 172.
  9. ↑ Matsoukas, Nick John (4 July 1935). A Letter from the Southwest. Saloniki-Greek Press. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Leber 1972, p. 173.
  11. ↑ Gussis, Christopher. "The Historic Boston Greek Cathedral -- Reliving 100 Years". Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  12. ↑ Leber 1972, p. 371, 375.
  13. ↑ Leber 1972, p. 506.
  14. ↑ "Ahepans Happily Celebrate Greek Independence Anniversary". Lowell Sun. 28 March 1938. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Offer Schooling To Legislators". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 18 December 1936. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
Sources
  • Leber, George J. (1972). The History of the Order of Ahepa. Washington, D.C.: The Order of Ahepa. 
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