Sons of Italy® Statement on N.Y. Gubernatorial Candidate’s Remarks Concerning N.Y. Governor’s Italian Heritage

July 28, 2014, Washington, D.C.

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSDIA)®, the nation’s largest and oldest organization representing Italian Americans, is appalled and outraged at the use of language by New York gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino implying that Governor Cuomo’s recent actions regarding the Moreland Commission controversy are similar to those of a mafia boss or mobster, and that they are indicative of a pattern of behavior by Governor Cuomo.

Andrew Cuomo has served New York State and this nation for many years in a highly dignified, judicious, able and upstanding manner.  Mr. Astorino’s political aspirations and differences with the governor are no excuse for resorting to inappropriate, untrue and insinuating aspersions, which are harmful and undeserving not only to the Governor, but to America’s 26 million Italian Americans.

Philip R. Piccigallo, Ph.D.
National Executive Director
Order Sons of Italy in America®

Established in 1905, the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) has hundreds of thousands of family members located in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. OSIA works at the community, national and international levels to promote the heritage and culture of an estimated 26 million Italian Americans, the nation's fifth largest ethnic group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. To learn more, visit www.osia.org