Italian Consul General Minuti Helps City Observe Holiday, Honors Fiorentini’s Service as Mayor

(Additional photograph below.)

Italian Consul General Arnaldo Minuti joined Haverhill officials and the public Friday in observing Columbus Day, in honor of explorer Christopher Columbus voyage of America 531 years ago, as well as October’s Italian Heritage Month.

Massachusetts is one of 16 states that observes today exclusively as Columbus Day. Minuti, however, focused on honoring Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini on his retirement after 20 years in office.

“It is a special moment for you after 20 years of service to the community. I understood that in these 20 years of service to the community, a side of your heart has always been devoted to the Italian heritage,” he said.

Minuti, whose Boston consulate covers all of New England, also acknowledged Italian Heritage Month. He said the Italian community in the United States is a source of inspiration. He added Italy celebrates its friendship with the United States as it is based on a “common vision” of the two countries “working together for a world of democracy, common principles, human rights for everybody.”

Fiorentini’s office displayed photographs of such famous Italian-American political figures as former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. He also pointed to others continuing to serve.

“Today, Italian Americans have risen to the highest pinnacles of American life and enrich our nation at all levels. Today, Italian-Americans are educators, healthcare workers, scientists, first responders, military servicemembers, public servants, Supreme Court justice; the first lady of the United States is part Italian and there are a few Italian mayors, among so many other vital roles,” he said.

The mayor, however, noted today’s Italy was founded in 1870 and played no role in the colonization of the Americas.

“We acknowledge that the journeys of Columbus began for Native Americans a painful era of atrocities inflicted on the indigenous peoples in America,” he said.

Taking part in the observance were many residents of Italian heritage, including such elected officials as City Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua and School Committee member Paul A. Magliocchetti. The latter, in fact, addressed the diplomat in his native language.