10|05|25 - The Columbus Citizens Foundation of New York City has pledged $500,000 to help reinstate The College Board’s Italian Language and Culture Advanced Placement program. The program, known as AP Italian, was suspended following the 2008-2009 school year because of a lack of funding.

The commitment, announced by the Foundation’s president Frank Fusaro, matches the National Italian American Foundation's pledge of $500,000 announced last April. The Italian Government through the leadership of Italian Ambassador to Washington, Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, has spearheaded the efforts to bring together national Italian American organizations and to ensure that the AP program would be reinstated. Earlier this year, Italy pledged $1.5 million. The Order Sons of Italy (OSIA) has pledged $75,000 over threee years.

“The reinstatement of AP Italian will allow students to earn college credit for their advanced high school work and will encourage the study of Italian, the language of Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Giuseppe Verdi and Umberto Eco. We call on all Italian language advocates to join us and the Republic of Italy in making the advanced study of Italian a vital part of the American educational system.”

“The language and culture of Italy are touchstones of Western Civilization,” said Louis Tallarini, chairman of the Foundation. “Our board of governors voted unanimously to support the reinstatement of AP Italian language and Culture, which should be available to all American high school students and students around the world who should be rewarded for their commitment to serious study.”

Founded in 1944 to preserve and honor the culture, accomplishments and traditions of Italians and Italian Americans, the Columbus Citizens Foundation today produces New York City’s Annual Columbus Celebration, which includes the Columbus Day Parade, the largest celebration of its kind in the world.