New York Conference of

Italian-American State Legislators

2009-2010 OFFICERS September 24, 2010
Diane J. Savino, President
Ginny Fields, Vice President
Joseph Griffo, Secretary Paladino for the People
Peter J. Abbate, Jr., Treasurer
PO Box 447
2009-2010 EXECUTIVE CMTE. Buffalo, NY 14205
James N. Tedisco
James D. Conte
Joseph Morelle Dear Mr. Paladino;
Donna Lupardo
RoAnn Destito
Ginny Fields On behalf of the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators, I write
Joseph S. Saladino
Carl Marcellino
to you today to demand an explanation of comments attributed to your campaign in
William B. Magnarelli yesterday’s City Hall News.
PAST PRESIDENTS
Edward Lentol As President of the Conference, I live in a county with the highest number of Italian
Joseph Margiotta
William F. Passannante
Americans, in a state with largest population of Italian Americans. The Conference has
Ralph Marino worked hard to elevate and highlight Italian American contributions to the State of New
George Cincotta
Joseph R. Pisani
York and beyond, in all aspects of society, including literature, the arts, architecture and
Joseph R. Lentol politics. One of our goals is to dispel negative stereotypes of Italian Americans.
Caesar Trunzo
George Madison
Anthony M. Maseillo Unfortunately, in an attempt to provoke your opponent, your campaign has decided to em-
Anthony S. Seminerio
Nicholas A. Spano
ploy schoolyard bully tactics, including using “sly Italian references”, against Mr. Cuomo,
Eric N. Vitaliano a proud Italian American whose family has contributed tremendously to our image.
Thomas P. DiNapoli
Serphin R. Maltese
George Onorato Mr. Paladino, we have already seen you use derogatory terms, including the word
Patricia L. Acampora
Carl L. Marcellino
“dago”. In an environment where people still believe it is acceptable to degrade our
RoAnn Destito shared cultural heritage, whether it be mob references or the buffoonery of the “Jersey
William B. Magnarelli
Shore”, it is simply unacceptable for you to lower the discourse even further, particu-
larly in a gubernatorial campaign.

New York State faces great challenges ahead. As someone who aspires to be the Chief Exec-
utive of the State of New York we ask that you show leadership and immediately cease and
desist any attacks based on Mr. Cuomo’s ethnicity or that of any other individual.

Degrading your own heritage and that of millions of other New Yorkers is offensive
and has no place in a modern campaign. As an Italian American yourself we call upon
you to recognize the negative perception that your campaign will give all New Yorkers
regardless of what ethnic group.

Sincerely,

Diane J. Savino
23rd Senate District

Room 512, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12247 (518) 455-2437