The October 2017 Italian American Heritage Kick Off at Massachusetts State House was sponsored by the Italian Consul General Nicola De Santis and the Italian American Heritage Committee. Speaker of the House Rep. Robert De Leo served as Master of Ceremonies ushering in a full month of activities all over the Commonwealth run by Italian and Italian-American organizations celebrating their Italian heritage.

Lt. Governor Karyn Polito read a Proclamation from Governor Charlie Baker declaring October as Italian Heritage Month. This year, the Italian Heritage Committee’s Italian-American honorees for their professional achievements included the Hon. Justice Frank Gaziano for Distinguished Judicial Excellence; Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina Fiandaca for Distinguished Public Service; Chef Marisa Iocco for Distinguished Culinary Arts; Dr. Mario Emanuel Motta for Distinguished Service in Medicine and Astronomy; and Dr. Robert Giugliano of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital for Distinguished Service in Cardiovascular Medicine.