Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro recently recognized October as Italian American Heritage and Culture Month. During a presentation in Legislative Chambers, Legislator Todaro presented proclamations to the Good Government Club of WNY, Hutch Tech Italian Club, Italian American Police Association of WNY, Italian Sons and Daughters, Buffalo Public Schools Supervisor of World Languages Pietro Mendola and the Cultural Center of Italia.

Between 1820 and 2000, over five million Italians immigrated to the United States which makes Italian Americans the fifth largest ethnic group today. Currently, there are 26 million Americans of Italian descent who celebrate their culture and help raise awareness about the local Italian heritage in their communities.

Legislator Todaro said, “I am a proud Italian American. My grandparents came to America on a boat with absolutely nothing except for a dream and the clothes on their back. The struggles they faced on a day-to-day basis were unimaginable. They could not read or write, but with hard work, resilience and determination—they overcame every obstacle in their way. It means a lot for me to recognize Italian American Heritage and Culture Month because I learned from my grandparents on what it took to live the American dream and that type of drive needs to be celebrated.”