Italian Americans and all people of goodwill are grateful to Teamsters Local 456 President Louis A. Picani for his powerful testimony before the Mount Vernon City Council on September 26th. The Local was an early and vocal advocate for establishing the Juneteenth holiday “long before it was recognized by the public and the media,” President Picani said. “I now stand before you appalled and disgusted that you are now considering taking Columbus Day away from the Italian Americans who helped build this country.”  We endorse his statement and stand in solidarity with our fellow Italian Louis Picani and others who testified to preserve Columbus Day at the City Council meeting.