As of December 1, it is possible to renew your Italian passport at the Honorary Italian Consulate in Orlando located at 111 N Orange Ave. Great relief for the local community who will not have to face long journeys to the Consulate General in Miami. The demand for services in Florida is in great a to growth. We are seeing a very strong migration and Florida has become the No. 1 growing state in the U.S.

Italians can be fingerprinted and photographed in Orlando and then it will all be sent to the Consulate General for passport finalization. The service is limited to residents of the Orlando area. Honorary Consul, Antonietta Brancaccio, appointed last Dec. 10 by Consul General Musillo, says she is very satisfied.

Aside from routine services the Honorary Consul is involved in the community' by taking part in important events such as recently the opening of the new Orlando port air terminal. "We are working to create an Orlando/Rome flight" she says. "Also focusing on opening an Italian Chamber of Commerce in Orlando, and expanding Italian language teaching. We are hosting exchange programs. Last July, high school students came and spent two days in Orlando accompanied by the director of the Florida Teachers Organization (FATI)."

So many other future projects that will require time and constant commitment are to be expected.