New York, USA, September 27, 2025
Thank you and what an honor to be here with you today. Thank you for having me and my team as part of this event.
We gather here in Yonkers, in a place filled with history. From this very hotel, the young men of the “Atlantic Battalion” set out to fight for Kosova’s liberation. Just now, we laid flowers at the grave of the Bytyqi brothers: Ylli, Mehmet and Agron — three young men born and raised in America, who left the comfort of this country to fight and ultimately give their lives for Kosova.
Their sacrifice, together with the Atlantic Battalion, will forever remain engraved in our nation’s memory. Coming here to honor them is the least we can do to show our eternal gratitude.
And today, in this same historic place, we honor two Americans who, in another way, devoted their lives to Kosova with their relentless advocacy, courage, and vision: Joe and Shirley DioGuardi.
Joe is turning 85, Shirley 75 – and I have to mention this because you cannot tell. But what they have done for us cannot be measured in years. Every Albanian American, no matter their political views or affiliations, acknowledges this simple truth: Joe DioGuardi was central in bringing the Albanian voice into American politics at a decisive time for Kosova. He was the one who opened the doors of American politics to Albanians, when not many people were interested in hearing about the suffering in the former Yugoslavia. Even those who once disagreed now admit this truth.
Joe’s story is even deeper. It begins with his Arbëresh roots. His father came from the village of Greci or as the locals call it, Katundi, in the region of Puglia. It is the only Arbëresh town where Skënderbeu/Skenderbeg himself once stood with his soldiers, when he came to the aid of the King of Naples, defending him from attacks by rival princes. In gratitude, the King granted him the land of Greci-Katundi. Skënderbeu left 2,000 of his soldiers there before returning to Arbëria. And so, the Arbëresh story began.
Out of that history, centuries later, comes Joe DioGuardi, inspired from and carrying forward the legacy of Skënderbeu’s soldiers, bringing the Arbëresh spirit of freedom across the ocean, into the halls of the U.S. Congress, and ultimately into the heart of Kosova’s cause.
But this is not Joe’s story alone. Since 1994, Shirley has stood by his side. With energy, intellect, and determination, she gave new strength to the Albanian American Civic League. She organized hearings in Congress and the Senate, she educated lawmakers who knew nothing about Kosova, and she wrote countless articles explaining our plight and our fight for freedom. She changed minds and moved hearts, until leaders in Washington DC could no longer ignore us.
Together, Joe and Shirley:
- lobbied President Clinton to stop the genocide in Kosova, ensuring Bosnia would not be repeated;
- defended the KLA as a liberation army with a just cause, not a terrorist group;
- convinced the Bush administration that Kosova’s independence must not be delayed. In 2008 it became reality;
- and to this very day, they have worked tirelessly in Washington DC to ensure that accountability is placed where it belongs — on those undermining peace and security.
Dear Joe, dear Shirley,
In every way you are Albanian by heart, by deed, and by destiny. Your life’s work stands as a shining example of what two Americans, guided by conscience and friendship, can do for a people fighting for its freedom.
And to the Board of the Albanian American Civic League: your work is irreplaceable. It is my deepest hope that many generations of Albanian Americans will continue your legacy. On behalf of the people of Kosova, I bow my head in gratitude. You are part of our history, you shaped our freedom, and you will forever remain a part of our future.
Happy birthday, Joe and Shirley. May you be blessed with health and joy, and may your legacy continue to inspire generations of both Albanians and Americans to carry forward your dedication to freedom, to justice, and to the unbreakable bond between our peoples.
In the end, I kept mentioning how the relationship between the Republic of Kosova and the Albanian nation in general with the United States of America is a 3D (three dimensional) relationship, meaning defense, diplomacy and development. But today let me add the fourth dimension, the fourth D: DioGuardi.
Cheers to everyone and thank you very much.
