On Wednesday evening, Governor Kathy Hochul met with members and representatives of the Albanian community at Patsy’s Pizzeria in East Harlem. Patsy’s Pizza is a premier pizza chain of our compatriot Frank Brija.
The meeting reinforced the Governor’s commitment to ensure that the Albanian community has a seat at the table. The Pan Albanian Federation of America Vatra stands firmly in support of her collaborative approach to governing.
Vatra President Elmi Berisha thanked Governor Hochul for the Kosovo Independence Day ceremony, which is expected to be a continual event by the community. Earlier this year, the commemoration of the 14th Anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence Day marked the first time the Governor’s Office through its Bronx Representative at the time Sophia Zayas jointly with local elected officials hosted the event in the Bronx.
In keeping with the making-history theme, Kathy Hochul is New York’s first female Governor. Prior to winning state-wide office, Kathy was elected to and served at the U.S. House of Representatives as a Western New York Democrat in Congress from 2011 to 2013. Hochul has served as Lieutenant Governor of New York State from 2015 to 2021.
At the end of July, Governor Hochul visited with the members and representatives of the Albanian community. In her address, she acknowledged the “great Albanian community of over 100,000”, its respectable traditions and prominent figures, many of whom escaped the harsh realities of their home country like her own ancestors. Putting it in the context of the “American dream’, Governor Hochul said that the presence of communities like this strengthen our resolve to reach for bigger goals.
The July event, held on the newly dedicated Gjergj Kastrioti Skendyerbeu Street in the Bronx, was covered by Dielli.