BERGEN COUNTY CELEBRATES ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
PARAMUS, NJ – On Wednesday, October 11th the County of Bergen hosted a ceremony in recognition of Italian American Heritage Month in the Piazza at One Bergen County Plaza.
Italian American Heritage Month was first proclaimed by the President and Congress in 1989 and is celebrated each year in the month of October to celebrate and honor the immeasurable contributions, achievements, and successes of Italians and Italian Americans throughout the United States. With nearly 200,000 people of Italian descent, more people in Bergen County identify as Italian American than any other heritage.
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III issued a proclamation recognizing October 2023 as Italian American Heritage Month to Honorary Consul of the Consulate General of Italy in New York, Sarah Salamone. The event also featured remarks from honorees State Senator Paul A. Sarlo of District 36 and the State Senator Joseph A. Lagana of District 38 as well as a cultural performance on the piccolo by Mauro Salamone of Federazione Siciliana del New Jersey.
The County 2023 Italian American Heritage Month celebration was attended by state, county, and municipal officials from across Bergen County including County Commissioners Rafael Marte, Dr. Joan Voss, Germaine Ortiz, Tracy Zur, Steve Tanelli, Mary Amoroso, State Senators Joseph Lagana and Paul Sarlo, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, County Clerk John Hogan, County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Sheriff’s Office Chief Carmelo Giustra, and Sheriff’s Office Chief Warrant Officer Freddy Federico among several others.
The County presented “2023 Italian American Outstanding Service Awards” to members of the community.
2023 Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Community Service Award Recipients:
Gianna Carrino, Teen Thrive Program Coordinator, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Ralph Contini, UNICO National President
Michele DiIorgi, Deputy Director, Housing Authority of Bergen County
Maria Ferrara, Executive Assistant to the President, Bergen Community College
Eugene Iaconetti, Corporal, United States Marine Corps, Veteran
Honorable Joseph A. Lagana, Senator, District 38 New Jersey Legislature
Honorable Paul A. Sarlo, Senator, District 36 New Jersey Legislature, Mayor of the Borough of Wood-Ridge
Gian Varbaro, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Food and refreshments followed the conclusion of the ceremony compliments of Clemente Bakery and the Cangialosi Family.
Photo Caption: Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss, Bergen County Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, Honorable Senator Joseph A. Lagana of District 38, Honorable Senator Paul A. Sarlo of District 36, Bergen County Commissioner Steve Tanelli, District 38 Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, and Bergen County Clerk John Hogan standing with 2023 Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Service Award Honorees.
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