FORMER NEW YORK CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN MOLINARI TO JOIN AMERICAN ITALIAN FOOD COALITION AS CO-CHAIR

Encourages Biden Administration, Europe to Recommit to Critical Alliances

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the American Italian Food Coalition (AIFC) announced that former New York congresswoman and prominent business leader Susan Molinari will serve as the group’s new Co-Chair.

“As a second-generation Italian-American, I couldn’t be prouder to serve as Co-Chair of the American Italian Food Coalition,” Molinari said. “Our mission is focused on the critical alliance between the United States and Italy and the strong cultural heritage of Italians in America. President Biden’s recent decision to deescalate trade tensions over the Airbus-Boeing in Europe was a step in the right direction. I am encouraged by and confident that the Biden Administration will continue to rebuild our ties with Italy and Europe at this critical time.”

Launched in 2019, the AIFC is an alliance of more than 450 Italian companies, manufacturers, and trade associations dedicated to ensuring that American consumers continue to have access to high-quality, affordable imported Italian products including pasta, coffee, biscuits, and wafers. Former Pennsylvania Congressman Lou Barletta, who joined that group since its inception, serves as Co-Chair alongside Molinari.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Susan to the AIFC and look forward to partnering with her to send the message that Italy and America have deep ties and one of the strongest alliances in the world,” said Lou Barletta. “Together, we will continue highlighting the cultural bonds between our two nations, most notably so much of the food we enjoy every day.”

Former Congresswoman Susan Molinari (R-NY) was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. She grew up surrounded by a large family with strong Italian roots. Her grandparents immigrated to the United States from Calabria and Naples, Italy in the early 1900’s. From an early age, Molinari was involved in politics and grew up working on her father’s political campaigns.

In 1985, at the age of 27, she won her first campaign and was elected to the New York City Council. Five years later, the New York Staten Island Republican Party asked Molinari to run for office. After being elected to Congress in 1990, she went on to win reelection five times. Throughout her time in office, Molinari served on the Education and Labor; Transportation and Infrastructure; and Budget Committees.

Notably, as a member of the Budget Committee, Molinari participated in crafting the nation’s first balanced budget in 25 years. She also worked hand-in-hand with then-Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) on the Violence Against Women Act, which provided $1.6 billion toward the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, imposed automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted, and more.

After her time in office, among other positions, Molinari went on to become co-host of the CBS News Saturday Morning show; chair of The Century Council, a non-profit, corporate social responsibility program; and founder and chair of Susan Molinari Strategies, LLC.

Most recently, Molinari served as the Vice President of Public Affairs at Google for the Americas and oversaw dozens of policy offices throughout North and South America. She currently serves on the board of Harvard University’s Kennedy School Institute of Politics, The American Action Foundation, APCO Media, Protiviti, and many more organizations and nonprofits. She was selected as one of the Women of the Year by Glamour Magazine and recognized by Time Magazine as one of 40 most influential people under 40.

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