ITALIAN ELECTIONS 2006

            This week Italian Tribune features Quintino Cianfaglione.  He is running for the Italian Parliament on Minister Mirko Tramaglia’s list.  Born in Pratola Peligna (Abruzzo), Quintino finished his formal education in Italy before coming to the United States.  Very active in the local communities of New York and Connecticut in which he served for more than 30 years, he is currently the president of COMITES, NY-CT (the largest world wide).

Q.  If elected what will be your priority?

A.  I will immediately work on the issues of dual citizenship.  It is extremely important that Italian s abroad regain their birth right to be Italian and I have promised during my campaign, that this issue will be a priority.

Q.  To represent such large number of Italians like we have in the USA, Canada, Central America and Mexico, is somewhat overwhelming, how do plan to accomplish it?

A.  I am convinced that the COMITES can have a crucial role in acting as liaison between the office of the elected representative and the local community.  Lets not forget that the COMITES was created for that purpose, monitoring and advising institutions on how to implement programs, monitor how the local Consulate offices operate and other issues relate to culture and language.  The COMITES is a not for profit organization and unfortunately never had adequate funds to operate, I will that that changes as well.

Q.  Very often, the Italians abroad complain about the lack of means of communications.

Radio, television, printed media, too little and often not of good quality, are you going to improve this area?

A.  We live in a global village where it is much easier now to get news at home on the Web.  Instead, we must communicate to Italy who we are and how we live.  When I go to Rome, or to my town in Abruzzo, I never fail to see how Italians do not know who we are, how we live.  Many still do not realize that, if in this country all that is “Made in Italy” is very strong, it due to us, all the Italian Americans.  We must have a better channel of communication with Italy, now they need to know who these 24 millions of Italian living abroad are. 

Q.  How will the relationship between Italy and the USA change as a result of this election?

A.  Weather the Left or the Right wins, there will be a re-adjustment in the relationship between the two countries.  Who will be elected will represent the Italian government here.  Thus, the American government will deal with a new representative of the Italian community.  Instead, will be interesting to see how Italian politicians see us.  Last week I was in Rome with Minister Tremaglia, and I had the opportunity to observe how the Italian Senate and Parliament really work.  I think that, although the law was in the Italian Constitution, only now, has the vote becomes a reality.  Italian politicians are not ready to deal with us.  At times I have the feeling that they still do not take us seriously.  That will soon change.

Q.  Why should the Italian community give you the vote?

A.  I have been involved with the community for 30 years.  I have been the president of Pratolana Society, in Hartford, CT, I have conducted radio and television shows for the Italian community, I have been involved with the COMITES for almost a decade.  All this has given me the opportunity to listen and understand what it is needed.  All Italians like me who came as immigrants, who struggled to be heard, who never asked for any help, deserve to be represented honorably. I am confident that I can do that.