Gov. Cuomo praises Fauci as 'a great Italian American representative, from New York, obviously'
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised fellow Italian American New Yorker Dr. Anthony Fauci as a great "representative" of the community during remarks the lawmaker delivered Saturday via video at the 2020 Columbus Citizens Foundation Celebration Gala.
"It's been my pleasure this year to work with another great Italian American, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Co-Grand Marshall," Cuomo said about the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Queens-born Cuomo, 62, said Brooklyn-born Fauci, 79, is "smart, hard-working, honest, dedicated."
He also described him as a "great Italian American representative. From New York, obviously."
The grandparents of both Cuomo and Fauci emigrated from Italy.
Cuomo acknowledged that there is "much sadness" this year because of the pandemic, and that he was "disappointed" not to attend the gala or march in the parade. But, he said, there was a "silver lining."
"This year we unveil a magnificent monument to our Italian American legacy and that monument will stand for all time," he said. "Last Columbus Day if you remember, one year ago, we said that we could work together and create a statue of the blessed Mother Cabrini. And now in honor of Columbus Day, we will do just that."
