Basil M. Russo — president of Italian Sons and Daughters of America and the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations — commends JCCIA cohesion, delivers remarks on wave of national and overseas initiatives.

Chicago’s Italian American community, represented by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), came together this week to address opportunities and challenges that are elevating and impacting our shared heritage.

JCCIA President Ron Onesti convened the meeting and invited COPOMIAO President Basil Russo to speak on the transformative success the Italian American community has achieved in recent years.

Russo began by congratulating Onesti and the JCCIA for their highly effective efforts in uniting Chicago’s Italian American organizations, and he commended their tenacity as they fight both legal and PR battles over the fate of Chicago’s Columbus statues (which were uprooted during the 2020 riots by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot).

“Strength doesn’t mean much without conviction and vision, and the JCCIA’s strategy in numbers runs parallel with COPOMIAO’s mission of unity and broad collaboration,” said Russo.

Along these lines, COPOMIAO — with the insight and support of its’ member organizations — has achieved the following since 2021:

• The launch of Italian American Future Leaders, a national annual conference and fellowship platform that is connecting our younger generations to the Italian American cultural experience. The application process is open now for individuals, ages 21 to 35, who want to attend “IAFL2” this January.

• A precedent-setting celebration, hosted at the White House by First Lady Jill Biden, during Italian American Heritage Month

• An ongoing collaboration with the Mayor of Genoa, in the reexamination of Columbus’ life and legacy

• The Coordination of Lawsuits across the country that have resulted in several favorable court rulings to preserve Columbus Statues

• The initiation of a successful National Campaign that prompted the White House to issue an appropriate Columbus Day Proclamation in 2022 and 2023

• The promotion of an inclusive Italian Heritage Curriculum in grades K-12 throughout our country to ensure our culture is taught in our schools

• A National Meeting of Delegates In NYC and a reception with the Consul General of Italy to coordinate mutual goals

• A Meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State, and a Private Audience with Pope Francis, to discuss the significant role the Catholic Church has played in our heritage

• A Historic Trip to Rome to meet with prominent Italian Government Officials to develop stronger cultural and commercial ties

• A Private Reception at the home of the Italian Ambassador in Washington, D.C., to establish a more productive working relationship

Stay tuned for what’s coming next, as COPOMIAO leaders continue to elevate our culture and heritage across all generations.

 

Italian Sons and Daughters of America and the JCCIA are two of the 60 leading Italian American groups that comprise The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (www.copomiao.org).