[Congressional Bills 117th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Res. 1385 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1385 Recognizing September 22nd, 2022, as the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Colombo-Stella Lodge 1149 Day. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 22, 2022 Mr. Costa submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform _______________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTION Recognizing September 22nd, 2022, as the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Colombo-Stella Lodge 1149 Day. Whereas the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America is the first and oldest Italian fraternal organization in the United States, established in 1905; Whereas Alfonso Cubicciotti, a member, who was also president of many Italian organizations, immigrated west to start the first lodge in California; Whereas Cubicciotti was known because he spoke against the Dillingham bill, which called for Italian immigrants to pass a literacy test, be measured for physical desirability, and any health restrictions or ``defects'' that could force their return to Italy; Whereas a charter was signed on September 22, 1922, for the first lodge in California located in Fresno, the geographic center of California and one of the richest agricultural zones in our Nation; Whereas the Sons of Italy Colombo Lodge 1149's main purpose was to give Italians a place to gather safely, to socialize and to help assimilate in the United States; Whereas they were also very involved in Italian-American causes and worked to end bigotry and discrimination; Whereas, when established in 1922, the Sons of Italy Colombo Lodge was a ``men's only'' club; Whereas the women's auxiliary, the Stella Lodge, was established in 1928 and when the men served in the military during World War II, membership was depleted, and the women helped to save the Colombo Lodge; Whereas the two merged and became what is now known as Colombo-Stella Lodge 1149; Whereas since its origin, the Lodge has donated to many nonprofit and charitable business organizations including war relief, the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, earthquake relief, children's orphanages, and Cooley's anemia; and Whereas, on September 22, 2022, the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Colombo-Stella Lodge 1149, will celebrate 100 years of service to the Fresno community, remaining the first and oldest Italian organization in California: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of a ``Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Colombo- Stella Lodge 1149 Day''. <all>