Former US Congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, have become citizens of Kosovo.
The acting president of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, handed over their citizenship decrees during a special ceremony.
DioGuardi has been one of the most powerful voices in Washington for years in support of Kosovo Albanians and their independence. His wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, has also been committed to the Albanian cause and Kosovo.
Joseph John DioGuardi (known as Joe DioGuardi) is an American accountant and politician of Albanian descent, who served as the first Albanian-American congressman in the United States Congress.
He represented New York's 20th congressional district as a member of the Republican Party from 1985 to 1989. DioGuardi is also the founder and president of the Albanian-American Civic League (AACL), a lobbying organization that has played a historic role in raising awareness in Washington about the rights of Albanians in the Balkans and for the independence of Kosovo.
