Founded 37 years ago by Dr. Pasquale Nestico, Filitalia International has grown rapidly to become one of the largest and most influential Italian American organizations, boasting 28 chapters across the United States, Italy, Venezuela and Cuba. This impressive growth and success were celebrated this past weekend at its gala in Philadelphia. 

COPOMIAO/ISDA President Basil Russo was honored as the evening’s featured speaker. He commended Dr. Nestico for his vision and leadership in strengthening the cultural bond between the U.S. and Italy.

Russo also acknowledged the significant contributions of the organization’s current president, Severio Nestico, and gala chair, Paula Bonavitacola, both of whom have been instrumental in supporting the Italian American Future Leaders Conference (IAFL), sponsored by COPOMIAO.

As Russo took the stage, he drew waves of applause from the audience as he spoke about COPOMIAO’s highly successful efforts in overcoming the challenges facing our community.

Recent COPOMIAO accomplishments include:

• Precedent-setting cultural collaborations between the Italian American and Native American communities
• Saving Columbus Day in Massachusetts thanks to viral advocacy
• Working directly with Congressmen Tom Suozzi and Mark Amodei to establish an Italian American History Museum on Washington, D.C.'s national mall
• Organizing the 3rd annual IAFL Conference in Sunset, Fla., to engage and empower our youth

The evening reached yet another high point when Russo introduced attorney George Bochetto, COPOMIAO’s legal counsel, whose successful lawsuit saved and unboxed the Columbus statue in Philadelphia’s Marconi Plaza. The audience’s reaction was electric, mirroring the enthusiasm Russo has seen nationwide from Italian Americans dedicated to preserving and honoring their heritage against attempts to diminish it. 

Russo concluded, “Italian Americans have finally become a force to be reckoned with.”