Joe and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi Become Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo

On 24 August 2026, at 11:17 a.m., the acting president of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, officially presented Kosovo citizenship decrees to two American figures, Joe DioGuardi and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi.

The special ceremony was held at the Presidency.

Earlier, in an announcement published on 24 August 2026 at 8:15 a.m., the Office of the President had announced that the presentation of the decrees would take place at 11:00 a.m.

“At 11:00 a.m., the Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, will present the Kosovo citizenship decrees to Joe DioGuardi and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi in a special ceremony,” the announcement said.

Joe DioGuardi, a former U.S. congressman and former head of the Albanian American Civic League, has lobbied in the United States for decades in support of Kosovo’s cause.

Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi has also worked to promote the rights of Albanians and Kosovo’s cause in American political circles.

Both are considered among the most dedicated Albanian-American lobbyists for Kosovo, particularly in Washington. Through their work, Joe and Shirley DioGuardi have become an important part of the history of Albanian-American lobbying in support of Kosovo.