Zito Hellas: Greek Canadian Lawmaker Raises House with Touching Tribute (video)

Peter Fragiskatos, a Greek-Canadian MP, won the applause of the Canadian parliament during a speech on Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Fragiskatos highlighted the legacy of the Greek explorer Ioannis Phokas, more widely known by his Spanish name, Juan de Fuca.

Born in 1536 on the Ionian island of Kefalonia, Phokas is best known for exploring the Strait of Juan de Fuca, between Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula (northwestern Washington state).

In his statement in the Canadian parliament, Fragiskatos, also of Kefalonian descent, explained the significance of Phokas’s explorations in the history of Canada.

He finished his short speech with the following:

“On behalf of all Canadians of Greek and Kefalonian heritage, of which I am one, I salute the memory of Juan de Fuca. Zito Hellas, Zito Kefalonia, Zito Canada!”