Cleveland’s Italian American National Convention to Address Pressing Initiatives Introduced at Federal & Local Level


 U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi, and local & national Italian American leader Basil Russo, will discuss WWII’s unresolved controversy, Columbus Day and the holiday’s return to Cleveland. 

 

 CLEVELAND, Ohio — ISDA, one of the country’s largest and most influential Italian American organizations, is holding its National Convention in Cleveland from Aug. 7-11 at the Downtown Hilton hotel. Hundreds of ISDA delegates from around the country are attending. 

U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi, of New York, will be the keynote speaker at the Convention’s opening luncheon this Sunday. He will discuss legislation he recently introduced that would require our government to apologize for the injustice imposed on 600,000 Italian residents of our country — including some in Northeast Ohio — who were designated as “Enemy Aliens” and suppressed during WWII. The legislation also seeks to establish grants to fund the introduction of comprehensive Italian American history curricula in U.S. schools, which would shed light on major achievements and tribulations that have largely been forgotten. 

ISDA National President Basil M. Russo will then speak about the history and controversy surrounding Columbus Day, both locally and nationwide. Russo — a former Cleveland City Councilman, judge and attorney who also leads the prestigious Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations — is planning the return of the Columbus Day parade to Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, which will step off at noon on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. 

Congressman Suozzi and President Russo will make their luncheon presentations starting at 12:15 p.m. in the ballroom of the Hilton Cleveland Downtown hotel on Sunday, Aug. 8. The speakers will be available for media interviews at 1 p.m. 

ABOUT ISDA 

Tradition, history, family and philanthropy have defined ISDA since 1930. From our old school brick lodges to our 21st century digital tools, we celebrate, preserve and promote the Italian American heritage. (orderisda.org) 

CONTACT 

John Deike 

Digital Media Director 

Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) 

e: JDeditor@orderisda.org 

 

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today!

 

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