Public Employee Press

DC 37 celebrates Italian Heritage
La famiglia è la patria del cuore
—Your family is the homeland of your heart.

By JOSEPH LOPEZ

Nearly 400 members of the DC 37 family came together to break bread and drink vino at the 17th annual Italian Heritage Dinner Dance Oct. 13 at Russo's on the Bay in Queens.

"Today we celebrate the many accomplishments of Italian Americans, past, present and future," said Committee Chair and New York City Traffic Employees Local 1455 President Michael DeMarco at the start of the festivities.

The Committee was co-chaired by Dept. of Environmental Protection Supervisory Employees former Local 1322 President Fred Ricci.

DeMarco thanked the many local presidents and DC 37 staff in attendance and took a moment to remember late NYC Off-Track Betting Employees Local 2012 President Lenny Allen and DC 37
Retirees President Stu Leibowitz. "I know they always looked forward to this event. We miss them, and they are here with us today in spirit," DeMarco said.

"This event is always a family affair," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. "We are very fortunate to be able to come together as a family even during these tough economic times."

"This union is very family-oriented, which is important to Italians," said Local 1931 1st Vice President Tony Mattia, a proud Italian American. "My grandparents came here and it's because of them and their generation that we have what we have today," he said.

"The immigrants of this country built America," said Local 1321 Blue Collar Vice President Danny Messina. He applauded the evening at Russo's for always being a fantastic event. "It's an honor to celebrate our culture with DC 37," Messina said.

Even the party's DJ felt the family vibe, spinning the sweet sounds of Sister Sledge's disco classic, "We Are Family," as the dance floor filled to capacity.

When you're Italian, just like when you're a union member, you are family!