On Thursday, October 11, Borough President Marty Markowitz hosted an event to observe Italian-American Heritage Month. The Borough President honored Robert Catell, Chairman of National Grid (US); RoseAnn C. Branda, President of the Brooklyn Bar Association; and Lella De Angelis and the Gargiulo Restaurant Family. Special recognition was given to Joseph Stile and Carl E. Tavolacci. Dignitaries included Francesco M. Talo, Consul General of Italy in New York and the Italian Heritage & Culture Month Committee of New York, Inc.

The event also featured Luciano Pavarotti: His Voice and Music, with the Italian Opera Company performing selections that paid tribute to the late, great tenor. Following the ceremony inside the Courtroom, a reception was held in the Rotunda, featuring Italian culinary delights, music and a performance of the traditional tarantella.

Brooklyn has one of the largest Italian-American populations in North America, and Borough President Markowitz celebrates the history, culture and contributions of a community vital to the past and future of the borough.