Art. History. Heritage.
This morning Our Lady of Pompei Church graciously hosted a mass for the Columbus Monument Corporation in celebration of our immigrant ancestors who gave us the gift of US citizenship. In attendance were honorees Ralph Rotella and Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, as well as last year’s honoree County Executive J. Ryan McMahon. It was a wonderful observance.
The Columbus Monument Corporation invites you to join us for our Annual Columbus Day Luncheon Celebration at 12:00 p.m. on Monday October 10, 2022. Our luncheon will be held at the Oncenter’s Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center, following a Wreath Laying ceremony at Columbus Circle at 11:00 a.m.
Join us to honor this year’s recipient of the Joseph J. Pietrafesa Award, Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli for his years of service and his commitment to our community representing the 129th Assembly District.
We will also be honoring Ralph Rotella with the Pirro Family “Santa Maria” Award for his outstanding citizenship efforts and work on behalf of the Syracuse Rescue Mission.
Tickets for the luncheon are $40 per person and $400 for a table of ten.
We ask you to consider a donation to our campaign to preserve the Columbus Monument. This year, more than ever before, your support for this important campaign is needed. Any size donation is greatly appreciated. Donors of over $100 will be recognized at the luncheon. Donations are tax deductible.
All checks should be made payable to Columbus Monument Corporation, and sent to:
Columbus Monument Corporation
c/o Ginnie Lostumbo, Treasurer
220 Clayton Manor Drive Apt 9
Liverpool, NY 13088
Any dietary restrictions must be sent with your check. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to change meals the day of the luncheon. Upon receipt of your check, we will arrange for all tickets to be held at the entrance to the luncheon on October 10th. If you have any questions, you may contact Ginnie Lostumbo at (315) 422-7750.
Your reply by Saturday October 1, 2022, will be greatly appreciated.
Bob Gardino and Anthony Ilacqua in New York City with Basil Russo, President of the Conference, at the Columbus Foundation headquarters.
Our mission is to preserve the culture, history and values our parents and grandparents passed on to us. COPOMIAO provides us with the opportunity to honor the memories of those who are no longer with us, and express our gratitude to those that are.”
Basil M. Russo, President, COPOMIAO
The Columbus Monument Corporation was pleased to become the newest member of COPOMIAO at its July meeting. Formed in 1975 and based in New York City, the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations is comprised of 58 of the most influential cultural, educational, fraternal and anti-defamation groups in the nation.
The new association with COPOMIAO brings national awareness and importance to our preservation efforts in Syracuse, and to our continued legal confrontation with Mayor Ben Walsh. We are proud to support the efforts of COPOMIAO to preserve our immigrant heritage, and are pleased to have its support in our campaign to preserve and protect the historic Columbus Monument Syracuse.
For more information visit www.copomiao.org
As the mob chants “take it down” Ben Walsh stands firmly with his comrades (their words, not ours).
This was before his sham “Action Committee” even concluded. He participated in this event, but shunned the celebration of a national holiday at the event below, attended by hundreds of actual Syracuse citizens.
Walsh acted illegally in an attempt to carry out the mob’s demands, but thankfully was stopped by the New York Supreme Court.
ART. HISTORY. HERITAGE. Syracuse citizens deserve all three.
ROME, Italy — It was a historic week in Rome and within Vatican City as a delegation of Italian American leaders met with government officials and Pope Francis to advance cultural and religious initiatives — and to set the stage for new economic opportunities — between the U.S. and Italy.
The delegation, assembled by Judge Basil M. Russo — who leads The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) — conducted a panel discussion with Italian Supreme Court justices, and sat down with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to pinpoint issues of mutual concern.
The Columbus Monument Corp is a proud member of COPOMIAO.
“Our Catholic faith is such an intricate and essential part of our heritage that it, more than anything else, defines our Italian American identity. It deserves newfound focus and attention,” said Russo.
The landmark visit to the “Eternal City” is a first-of-its-kind event and one of many new summits that are designed to preserve and promote Italian American history, traditions, institutions, and financial and cultural connectivity toItaly.
“In the last 18 months alone, COPOMIAO has unified hundreds of Italian American organizations to preserve and revive the culture our ancestors brought with them fromItaly,” said Russo. “Now we’re forming strategic partnerships and alliances throughout Italia to bring our journey full-circle.”
Meanwhile, discussions are underway with The White House, Italian American politicians, various museum officials and top educators to promote public policy, advocacy initiatives, and the Italian language in the U.S.
Additionally, COPOMIAO will sponsor an Italian American youth summit inFloridanext year to energize the younger generations around our heritage.
Stay tuned: More updates from the historic Rome summit will be sent out later this month.
The delegation included:
Basil M. Russo, a retired judge who serves as President of COPOMIAO, as well as National President of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.
Joan Prezioso, Chairperson of the Board of the Italian Welfare League, the oldest and largest Italian American charitable organization.
Frances Donnarumma, National President of the Italian American Bar Association, which represents all Italian American judges and lawyers.
Anthony Ficarri, President of the Italian American War Veterans of the United States, representing all Italian American military veterans.
Berardo Paradiso, President of the Italian American Committee on Education that provides teacher instruction and funding and allows for 75,000 US high school students to study the Italian language.
Gabriele Delmonico, President and Executive Director of A Chance in Life, an international charitable organization founded in Italy that serves needy youth.
Charles Marsala, President of the Italian American Federation of the Southeast, representing 22 Italian American organizations.
Marianna Gatto, Executive Director and cofounder of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles.
Robert DiBiase, Chair of the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission.
Richard DiLiberto, President of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture.
Ron Onesti, President of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, representing 30 Italian American organizations in Chicago.
Tom Damigella, Board Member representing the Italian American Alliance of the New England states.
Joseph Rosalina, National Executive Vice President of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.
Kathleen Strozza, Trustee of the UNICO Foundation, the largest Italian American service organization.
Anthony Gianfrancesco, Past President of the Italian American Bar Association.
Patricia Russo, Executive Editor of La Nostra Voce, the fastest growing Italian American newspaper.
Cav. Gilda Rorro, Chair, New Jersey School Curriculum Development Committee.
Umberto Mucci, Founder and Editor of We the Italians, a major social media Italian and Italian American news magazine.
Paul Pirrotta, President of the Canicattinese Society.
Giampaolo Girardi and Marco Di Fazi, Ordine Avvocati di Roma Board Members.
Additional guests: Loyse Paradiso, Faith DiLiberto, Roberta DiBiase, Rita Damigella, Beatrice Delmonico, Maryann Ficarri, Geraldine Caggiano, Hercules Paskalis, Joseph Rosalina, Jr., and Dr. Mary Rorro.
