Albanian American Civic League
{{Short description|American lobby group}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Albanian American
Civic League
| image =
| size =
| formation = January 1989
| type = Non-governmental organization
| status =
| purpose =
| headquarters = Ossining, New York{{cite web| publisher= The Christian Science Monitor| url= http://www.csmonitor.com/1999/0331/p2s1.html| author= Ron Scherer| title= Pulling political and purse strings: US Albanians find themselves in un-familiar arena of rallies and TV| date= 31 March 1999| access-date= 26 March 2013}}
| language = English, Albanian
| general =
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Joseph J. DioGuardi
| parent_organization =
| budget =
| website = {{url|http://www.aacl.com/}}
| former name =
}}
File:Albanian American Civic League.jpg
The Albanian American Civic League (AACL, Albanian: Lidhja Qytetare Shqiptaro-Amerikane){{sfn|Elsie|2010|p=6}} is the only Albanian American lobby group in Washington, D.C., representing the concerns and interests of the Albanian people in the United States and the Balkans. The Civic League was founded by former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi and a board of Albanian Americans in 1989. Since then, it has actively and effectively lobbied the United States Congress in an effort to influence U.S. foreign policy in the Balkans, including for the independence of Kosovo.{{cite web| publisher= AACL| url= http://www.aacl.us/| title= Albanian American Civic League| access-date= 25 March 2013}}
History
The Albanian American Civic League was founded in January 1989 by former Albanian American Congressman Joseph J. DioGuardi and a handful of Albanian American businessmen who sought to influence the policies of the United States State Department with regard to the Balkans, particularly Kosovo. Over the years, the organization has raised millions of dollars to help promote its causes.{{sfn|Hockenos|2003|p=203}} The AACL lobbied prominent U.S. senators such as Claiborne Pell, Al D'Amato, Carl Levin, William Broomfield, Larry Pressler and most notably Eliot Engel for its cause.{{sfn|Hockenos|2003|p=217}}
Notes
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References
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book| last=Elsie| first=Robert| author-link=Robert Elsie| year=2010| publisher=Scarecrow Press, Inc.| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=haFlGXIg8uoC&q=Historical+Dictionary+of+Albania| title=Historical Dictionary of Albania| isbn=9780810873803| access-date=8 June 2013}}
- {{cite book| last=Hockenos| first=Paul| year=2003| publisher=Cornell University Press| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=e4pAs4JYSAMC&q=Homeland+Calling%3A+Exile+Patriotism+%26+the+Balkan+Wars&pg=PA294| title= Homeland Calling: Exile Patriotism & the Balkan Wars| isbn=0801441587| access-date=25 March 2013}}
{{refend}}
External links
- [http://www.aacl.com/ Official Website of Albanian American Civic League]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Foreign policy political advocacy groups in the United States
Category:Albania–United States relations
Category:Albanian-American history