Giorgio Napolitano, Italian ex-president, passed away today in Rome. His service to the country will be remembered with deep respect. While the world will remember him for his crucial role during the times of political turmoil in Italy and his efforts to promote stability and unity in Italian politics, I for one have a particularly distinct memory of him.
I had the honour of getting awarded by the then Italian President Giorgio Napolitano - the honorary distinction of Commander of the "Order of Merit of the Italian Republic", Commendatore dell' “Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana”.
I remember him writing to me, praising the work of my father and me in Campania region about the crisis of toxic waste and its dire implications on the residents of Campania, he said, “Thanks to independent studies such as yours, and those of your father before you, we have been made aware of the seriousness of this phenomenon and how it needs to be addressed. I therefore wish to express my appreciation of your scientific work and your commitment to improving the quality of life in our region.”
Rest in peace. 💐🕊️