Miscellanea - Rubrica d'attualita`

The Sicilian-American Cultural Association of Chicago has bestowed its Medal of Honor to the exiting Consul General Enrico Granara, citing his sincerity, modesty, refinement, dignity and cultural contributions to their organization.

In presenting the coveted award to Mr. Granara, Alfred E. Gallo, Esq., Chairman of SACA, stated: “We regret your departure but understand that we cannot continue to have your amicable presence forever. We shall miss you and pray that your service for your country continue with the success and fortitude you have enjoyed all theses years.”

The award was presented by Chairman Gallo on May 28th at the “Casa Italia” in Stone Park, in the presence of Directors Emil Venuti, Vincent Inserra e Dino Porto. The latter also representing the Midwest COMITES together with Giorgio Argondizzo, Bruno Dal Santo, Filippo Foti e Ron Turano.

Consul Granara received gifts from several other organizations such as Italidea, Italian Community Center in Milwaukee, Italian Cultural Center in Stone Park, FIERI, NIAF and JCCIA as well as cash from others, which he promptly turned over to Italidea who is administering the Italian language programs sponsored by the Italian Government.

Earlier in April, Consul Granara visited St. Louis and received a collector’s book about St. Louis and a lifetime membership from “Italiano per piacere”. While in St. Louis, Consul Granara attended a reception in his honor at the Shaw Community Center on the Italian “Hill” area. The organizers of the successful Italian Language program sponsored by the Italian Government gave the reception. In attendance were students, instructors, the Principal and staff from the school, representatives of the St. Louis School Board, members of the Federation of Italian American Organizations and the Mayor of St. Louis, Francis Slay who proclaimed April 4th to be Enrico Granara Day in St. Louis.

Some of the gifts were given to the Consul General during the “Festa della Repubblica” and farewell party given in the beautiful Crystal Garden at Navy Pier in Chicago, to some 300 invited guests on June 2, 2003. In conclusion of the ceremonies and the dedications by local authorities, Consul Granara in turn bestowed his Government’s recognition to deserving citizens present including the title of Commendatore to Robert Allegrini, Cavaliere Ufficiale to Gene Farina and Cavaliere to Dr. Giuseppe Amato and Giuseppe Bruno. The same title of Cavaliere was earlier bestowed to Franco Giannotti of St. Louis and Walter Wolff of New York.

Consul General Granara will leave the Chicago area on June 21, headed for an executive position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, Italy. We wish Consul Granara the best of success in his new assignment and we express once more our gratitude for his untiring promotion of the Italian culture and the attention he has given to our St. Louis community. He will be missed.