The Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island joins more than 120 cultural and nonprofit groups across the U.S. rallying support for creating a Smithsonian Museum of Italian American History in the nation’s capital.
Leaders and members of the Italian American Congressional Caucus, in collaboration with the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO), spearheaded H.R. 1102, a bipartisan bill that, if passed, would create a commission to weigh the feasibility of funding, developing, and operating the museum on Washington’s National Mall.
“This is another important initiative by Italian Americans to further emphasize the journey of our ancestors and the lasting impact Italian Americans have made on American culture,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, Founder and Executive Director of the Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island. “Our organization, representing millions of Italian Americans across Long Island, proudly supports the bipartisan bill and urges all Italian Americans from our region to send their respective U.S. Representatives letters supporting the groundbreaking legislation and initiative.”
This commission would consist of experts in museum planning and the American immigrant experience, following a process modeled after similar initiatives that led to national museums honoring other ethnic communities.
“My father was born in Ruvo del Monte, Italy, and immigrated to the United States as a child,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi, co-leading the bill alongside Rep. Michael Rulli. “Here, he served as a B-24 navigator in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He came home from the war and attended Harvard Law School on the G.I. bill. At 28 years old, he was elected City Court Judge in our hometown of Glen Cove, the youngest judge in the history of New York State. His story, and the story of so many other Italian Americans of his generation, embodies the American dream and fulfills the very promise of this country. These stories deserve a platform to be told.”
Advocacy efforts are already underway, as Italian Americans across the country contact their respective U.S. House reps to voice their support for the bill.
“COPOMIAO’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Committee pitched me the plan in 2024, and it was brilliant,” said Basil Russo, who leads the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) and COPOMIAO. “This prestigious historical initiative is part of our broader, dynamic movement, which includes the illumination of our heritage in Hollywood, the elevation of our younger generations, and the preservation of our monuments and holidays.”
Make Your Voice Heard
To support H.R. 1102, please copy the following letter and send it to your respective U.S. Representatives:
Dear [Congressman or Congresswoman],
I am writing to ask you to support H.R. 1102, the National Museum of Italian American History Commission Act, which would create a planning commission to examine the feasibility of establishing a Smithsonian Museum of Italian American History.
All of the bipartisan chairs and co-chairs of the Italian Delegation have joined as original co-sponsors, and every major Italian American organization in the country supports the bill.
Italian Americans have made invaluable contributions to the United States. From Fortune 500 CEOs and public servants to Supreme Court Justices and Nobel Prize recipients, they have excelled in all areas of American life. The Italian American story is the quintessential American story — immigrants arriving in our country and embracing commitments to family, community, public service, love of country, and hope for a better future.
This legislation will create a planning commission of experts in museum planning and the immigrant experience to examine the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding, and operating such a facility as part of the Smithsonian Institution.
I am requesting that you support this bill by signing on as a co-sponsor.
Please contact Ivanley Noisette ([email protected]) in Congressman Tom Suozzi’s office to do so.
Thank you for your consideration,
[Your Name]