City Hall was packed Monday evening with friends and family of the seven Peekskill residents honored as part of October’s Italian American Heritage month. It was the first time the city honored its residents of Italian descent. Italian American Heritage month was first celebrated in 1989 by a special proclamation of both Congress and President George H.W. Bush.

It is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. “So many of Peekskill residents came here from Italy for a better life,” said Deputy Mayor Patricia Salvate Riley “and they brought the fabric of the Italian heritage to Peekskill.”