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George Demeter

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George Demeter
Photo of George Demeter
Born(1896-03-13)March 13, 1896 [1]
Athens, Greece [1]
Died1983 (aged 86–87)[2]
OccupationLawyer-Parliamentarian[1]
Alma materHarvard College 1918, Boston University Law School 1924 [1]

George Demeter (/dɪˈmiːtər/; 1896–1983) was a Greek American politician, professor of law, and parliamentarian. He was 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

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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

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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 in 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

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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

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  • Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, 2nd edition, 1949
  • Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, 3rd revised edition, 1950, Bostonia Press.
  • Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, Universal edition, 1953, Bostonia Press.
  • Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, Universal Revised, 1961, Bostonia Press.
  • Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, Blue Book edition, 1969, Little, Brown and Company.
  • How to Master the Rules of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, 1948, Mosher Press.
  • Main Motion, 3rd edition, 1943, Bostonia
  • Master Parliamentarian, 1948, Bostonia
  • Parliamentary Procedure for Boy's State, 1949, Bostonia
  • Parliamentary Procedure for Girl's State, 4th edition, 1942, Bostonia
  • Ahepa Manual: Official Guide of the Order of Ahepa, Containing Early History and Miscellaneous Fundamentals of the Order, 1926, Boston: Athens Print. Co.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Public officials of Massachusetts". The Causeway Print. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Coughlin, William (17 March 1983). "George Demeter, 90; Was Lawyer, State Legislator, Parliamentarian". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. 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 [bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ a b c "Prominent Speakers to Be Heard at Ahepa Banquet". Lowell Sun. 23 March 1938. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  6. ^ a b "St. George Cathedral Community History". Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. 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. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  10. ^ Leber 1972, p. 173.
  11. ^ Gussis, Christopher. "The Historic Boston Greek Cathedral -- Reliving 100 Years". Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. 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. ^ a b "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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