Joe and Shirley DioGuardi Become Citizens of Kosovo as Kurti Praises Their Longstanding Support

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti held a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister with Joe DioGuardi and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, who are now officially citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.

During the meeting, Kurti described them as longtime friends of Kosovo and expressed his gratitude for their decades-long commitment to supporting the Albanian cause and Kosovo, particularly in the United States of America, reports “Bota sot”.

According to the prime minister, in addition to being American citizens, Joe and Shirley DioGuardi now also belong to the Republic of Kosovo. He stressed that they have always stood firmly alongside the Albanian nation and people, while continuing to take an interest in developments in Kosovo and offer valuable ideas and contributions.

Kurti said that during the meeting he thanked them for their immeasurable contribution over nearly four decades, from the United States Congress to the Albanian American Civic League. Members of the League’s Board also took part in the discussion, which focused on their valuable engagement, unwavering dedication to their homeland, as well as current affairs and the future.

Joe DioGuardi, the first American congressman of Albanian origin, together with Tom Lantos, Bob Dole and Eliot Engel, was among the earliest and most powerful voices to support Kosovo at a time when the Albanian people most needed their voice to be heard around the world.

Kurti said that Kosovo was fortunate and blessed to have such ambassadors even at a time when the Republic of Kosovo did not have an embassy in the United States of America. For this reason, he emphasized that the state and people of Kosovo will always be grateful to them.