Happy holidays to all Italians and Italian Americans in the North West and Pacific area!
In 2000 there were 1,163,038 American citizens of Italian origin in the North West and Pacific region. These are the most recent census data in which you can identify Italian ancestry. In the 48 counties of Northern California, there were around 700,000, a little bit less than 5% of the total population. Today this number has surely grown, given that interest of the people to reconnect with Italy and become Italian citizens has reached 15,000 altogether and is progressively growing (2008-2009 +2,7%, 2009-2010 + 6%, 2010-2011+ 7,5%). Here is a photo of the most recent acquisitions on the December 17th ceremony in the Consulate. They will also be able to exercise their duty and right to vote in the next political election in February 2013.
To all the Italian Americans and Italians of this marvelous part of the world, I send my most heartfelt regards for a happy holiday and an excellent 2013. A particular thanks to the SF Committee for Italians Abroad (http://comites-sf.org) and to the leaders of the Italian American Associations of the region, many of which participated in the launching of the Year of Italian Culture in the United States at City Hall on December 12th.
The welcome that was given to me by the Italian American Associations is only equaled by the splendid reputation which Italians enjoy in these parts: excellent! Thanks from the heart. Here follows a few photos to remember. See you soon!
