Honorary Consul Dana Bucin served as the Mistress of Ceremonies at the 25th Annual Immigrant Day at the Connecticut State Capitol organized by CT Immigrant & Refugee Coalition - CIRC and the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity, a day of recognition and celebration for the invaluable contributions that immigrants have made and continue to make to our state and nation.
Connecticut's commitment to being pro-immigrant is deeply rooted in our state motto, "qui transtulit sustinet" (Latin for “he or she who transplants sustains”) and is evident through the significant steps it has taken to support immigrants through state laws and policies, such as supporting international entrepreneurs, improving immigrant access to healthcare, housing, employment and essential documentation such as REAL ID/ driver licenses. These efforts not only benefit immigrants but also contribute to the overall prosperity and well-being of our state.
At the event we honored eight naturalized U.S. citizens hailing from India, Peru, Pakistan, Austria, Argentina, Romania, and Ukraine, who exemplify the growing influence and power of immigrants in Connecticut through service to their communities.
We also honored Governor of CT Ned Lamont with the “Amicus Imigrantium Praemium”, as well as three leaders who embody the virtues of service to immigrants and refugees in Connecticut: Dr. Nicole Esposito, Ed.D, CEO, Professor Mehrdad Faezi and Donna Petrone.  Dr. Wanda Maria Popescu a member of the Romanian community and Professor of Anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, as well as Svetlana Moskvitch from the Ukrainian community, for her dedication to helping Ukrainian refugees, were honored in this ceremony. Many thanks to the various state officials, legislators and foreign diplomats in attendance: Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, State Senator Tony Hwang, State Senator Saud Anwar, State Senator Matt Lesser, State Representative Hilda Santiago, State Representative Anthony Nolan, State Representative Jimmy Sanchez, State Representative Susan Johnson, State Representative Elish Collins, State Representative Jillian Gilchrest, State Representative Hubert Delany, His Excellency Elvis Tuesta, Consul General of Peru.
The entire ceremony can be accessed here: https://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=24797
Harris Beach Murtha was a proud sponsor of this event.  Many thanks to a great team of CIRC Board members such as Umesh Vig, Werner Oyanadel and volunteers who put together such an incredible event!