New York City District 30 Council Member Phil Wong (second from left) was present for the Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York’s 15th annual gala on Monday, Oct. 12, at Russo’s on the Bay.
Photo Credit: Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York
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New York City Council Member Phil Wong was on hand to take part in the Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York’s 15th annual gala on Monday, Oct. 12, at Russo’s on the Bay, located at 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach.
The gala served as a celebration of Italian heritage, with several distinguished Italians and Italian-Americans being honored.
One of this year’s honorees at the Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York’s gala was former Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio, affectionately known as the “Divine Ponytail.” Baggio, who received the “Greatest Italian Soccer Player of All Time Award,” is tied for the most goals scored for the Italian National soccer team in World Cup history, with nine goals. He is also tied for the fourth-most goals for the Italian National team, with 35 goals across his career, which ran from 1988 to 2004.
(Left to right) Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York Chairman Tony Di Piazza, former professional Italian soccer player Roberto Baggio and Council Member Phil Wong with a proclamation for the Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York. Photo Credit: Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York
Some of Baggio’s other notable career highlights include winning the Ballon d’Or, which is given to the player judged to be the best soccer player each season, as well as a third-place finish with Team Italy in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and a second-place finish in the 1994 World Cup.
“It’s not every day you get to stand next to a soccer legend who played in a World Cup final and won the coveted Ballon d’Or,” Wong said. “It was a real pleasure meeting Roberto Baggio and celebrating the incredible contributions of the Italian-American community right here in Queens. My thanks to Chairman Tony Di Piazza, President Tony Mulè, Stefano Turriciano and everyone at the Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York for the invitation and for everything they do to preserve and celebrate Italian heritage and traditions.”
Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York Chairman Tony Di Piazza and President Tony Mulè. Photo Credit: Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York
Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York President Tony Mulè. Photo Credit: Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York
Wong represents New York City’s 30th Council District, which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Maspeth, Middle Village and parts of Glendale, Elmhurst, Rego Park and Ridgewood.