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HISTORY

 

Rockford, Illinois has a significant Italian American population with the early immigrants largely arriving from Italy in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. In recognition of Rockford’s strong Italian heritage, a Sister City relationship was established between Rockford and Ferentino, Italy in 2006. This partnership symbolizes the enduring ties between Italy and the Rockford area and is for all Italian Americans and Rockfordians to participate in and benefit from.  Immigrants from Ferentino established the St. Ambrogio (Ambrose) Club nearly a century ago. St. Ambrogio is the highly revered patron saint of Ferentino, Italy.

In 2005, an Italian Sister City Committee was formed so as to facilitate the formalization of a Sister City agreement with Ferentino and to host a delegation of their public officials to Rockford. On May 15, 2006, Lawrence J. Morrissey, Mayor of Rockford and Dr. Piergianni Fiorletta, Mayor of Ferentino, signed a formal Sister City agreement during a Rockford City Council meeting. In July 2015, the Committee was renamed the Rockford Italian Sister Cities Alliance.

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