Members of the Italian American One Voice Coalition (www.iaovc.org) were pleased this past weekend to join the Mercer County Italian American Festival Association, New Jersey State Senator President Stephen Sweeney, and other dignitaries, in rededicating the Christopher Columbus statue at the Italian American Heritage Center in Hamilton Township.

The statue was originally dedicated last October. In July vandals covered parts of it in black paint and wrote the number 13 on its chest. The statue of the great Italian navigator was repaired soon after. "We are proud to be part of this rededication and pleased that it has happened well in advance of Columbus Day 2015. It is a tribute to the resilience of all Italians-Americans and of course the greatest of all Italians, Christopher Columbus", said Dr. Manny Alfano, president of the Italian American One Voice Coalition.

Doctor Alfano also donated a check on behalf of the Anti-Bias Committee of UNICO National to the Mercer County Italian American Festival Association to assist in its continuing efforts to advance the great achievements of this nation's many Italian Americans. Doctor Alfano also pledged his support on behalf of the Italian American One Voice Coalition in any and all efforts going forward.

Source: Italian American One Voice Coalition