Two Connecticut legislators, Senator Ryan Fazio of the 36th State Senate District and Congressman Chris Aniskovich of the 35th House District, introduced House Bill No. 1162 to establish the “Connecticut Italian-American Heritage Commission.”
The bill, drafted in collaboration with the Italian American Defense League (IADL), the State Commerce Committee, and the Connecticut Council of American Italian Organization, aims to create a commission dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection of Italian and Italian-American heritage throughout the state, including, but not limited to, developing cultural and educational programs and preserving certain cultural and historic sites.
“The new law is about recognizing and celebrating the vibrant heritage of Italian Americans in Connecticut,” said IADL President Matthew Guarnieri, stressing that the Commission will play a key role in educating future generations, ensuring that the culture and contributions of Italian Americans are preserved as a community asset, and remain an integral part of the state’s identity.
Guarnieri concluded, “We will be looking to our community and all those who value the contributions of Western Civilization to our society to support this important initiative.”
IADL and the Connecticut Council of American Italian Organizations encourage everyone to contact members of the Commerce Committee and state legislators to support bill No. 1162 in the Connecticut General Assembly.
IADL’s mission is to promote education, portray Italians in a positive light, preserve traditions, and combat discrimination against the Italian American community and people of all ethnic groups. Recently, the association formally filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit against the city of New Haven and Mayor Justin Elicker for removing the Christopher Columbus statue in 2020. Some leading Italian-American figures, including federal Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro who wrote a public statement on it on June 25, 2020, backed the Mayor’s decision.
