Taking office as Consul General in Los Angeles, one of the largest Italian American communities of the United States, is a big responsibility.
The first challenge that Honorable Antonio Verde needs to face is getting acquainted with a vast and vibrant network of local groups and associations. A month passed since he succeeded to Giuseppe Perrone, and protocol is still a substantial part of the beginning of his mandate.
Casa Italiana, home of the L.A. Italian community since 1972, hosted on December 10 a welcome reception to honor the new Consul General, giving the opportunity for those who hadn’t met Antonio Verde yet to get to know him in person.
President of Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California, Ann Potenza, who was among the organizers of the event, said she was thrilled to have the chance to connect the Organization to the Italian Consulate General in Los Angeles and that her main goal is to make the new Consul General feel at home.
In addition, the ceremony at Casa Italiana was also an occasion for Federated members to gather together and strengthen the ties that for many years have linked those who share the commitment to keeping Italian traditions alive.
Before his speech, the Consul General was introduced by Ann Potenza to all the guests and representatives who were in attendance, creating the right atmosphere to begin the celebrations. English writer Virginia Woolf used to say that “Humor is the first of the gifts to perish in a foreign tongue,” but Honorable Antonio Verde seems to be an exception: as he took the stage, he greeted the audience and reaffirmed his enthusiasm for this new mission.
After a few words in English, he switched to Italian, considering that most of the attendees were able to understand it and to speak it fluently. And he jokingly added, “If you don’t know Italian, well…” – confirming that he already feels pretty comfortable addressing the local audience.
The brief and amusing introduction was then followed by more serious remarks, and the Consul General stated that working in collaboration with Federated Italo-Americans is essential to fulfill his duties as a representative of the Italian Government abroad, especially thanks to the pivotal role played by the Organization within the large Italian community of Southern California.
Under the umbrella of Federated, in fact, many different Italian-American associations, groups, and companies based in the L.A. County are united. Antonio Verde said that he is “Happy and eager to work with all of them for a common objective,” and that the Italian Consulate is intended to support not only the fellow citizens who moved here long ago, but also the new generations who recently came to Southern California.
Among the participants in the reception at Casa Italiana were many representatives of the local societies, including the Grandsons of Italy, the Italian American Lawyers Association, and the Italo-American Foundation.
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