Pictured left to right: Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, poet laureate Emanuel di Pasquale, Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, Commissioner Deputy Director Nick DiRocco, and Commissioner Susan M. Kiley.

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners appointed Long Branch resident Emanuel di Pasquale as the Poet Laureate of Monmouth County during the Commissioner meeting held on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

"On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, it is our honor to appoint Emanuel di Pasquale as the Poet Laureate of Monmouth County,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The position of Poet Laureate is a seasoned poet appointed by a governing body to compose poems for special occasions and to promote artistic and literary expression within the community. We thank Emanuel for volunteering his time and incredible skills.”

“Congratulations to Emanuel di Pasquale on this honor,” said Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, who presented the proclamation on behalf of the Commissioners. “Emanuel has a remarkable story of immigrating to the United States in 1956 and developing his passion for the arts and literature. Emanual even taught as a professor of English for more than 54 years and has published numerous books and poems including: Genesis, the Silver Lake Poems, Escape the Night and Cartwheels to the Moon.”

For additional information about Monmouth County and the Board of County Commissioners, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.