ALBANY – New York State Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, was recently recognized by the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators as the conference’s Distinguished Legislator of the Year. 

“It is an honor to be recognized by my peers,” said Deputy Minority Leader Griffo. “From literature to the arts to politics and beyond, Italian-Americans have made significant contributions here in New York State and across the country. We see these contributions every day and I am proud of my Italian heritage.”

The New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators is a bipartisan organization of New York State Senate and Assembly members who are actively involved in promoting and celebrating the state’s Italian-American community. Its mission is to highlight the positive impact that Italian-Americans have had on New York and the United States, while also dispelling negative stereotypes of the cultural group. 

The conference has annually offered scholarships to current college students or high school seniors entering college to help reduce the financial burden of attending college. This year, the conference offered four scholarships – two for academics and two for athletics - totaling $10,000.

Deputy Minority Leader Griffo served as president of the conference from 2010-12.