[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 94 (Friday, June 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               THE 25TH ANNUAL ITALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

 Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, our country is a remarkable 
mosaic--a mixture of races, languages, ethnicities, and religions--that 
grows increasingly diverse with each passing year. Nowhere is this 
incredible diversity more evident than in the State of New Jersey. In 
New Jersey, schoolchildren come from families that speak 120 different 
languages at home. These different languages are used in over 1.4 
million homes in my State. I have always believed that one of the 
United States greatest strengths is the diversity of the people that 
make up its citizenry and I am proud to call the attention of my 
colleagues to an event in New Jersey that celebrates the importance of 
the diversity that is a part of America's collective heritage.
  On June 4, 1995 the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ began its 
1995 Spring Heritage Festival Series. This Heritage Festival program 
salutes many of the different ethnic communities that contribute so 
greatly to New Jersey's diverse makeup. Highlighting old country 
customs and culture, the festival programs are an opportunity to 
express pride in the ethnic backgrounds that are a part of our 
collective heritage. Additionally, the Spring Heritage Festivals will 
contribute proceeds from their programs to the Garden State Arts 
Center's Cultural Center Fund which presents theater productions free-
of-charge to New Jersey's school children, seniors, and other deserving 
residents. The Heritage Festival thus not only pays tribute to the 
cultural influences from our past, it also makes a significant 
contribution to our present day cultural activities.
  On Saturday, June 10, 1995, the Heritage Festival Series will 
celebrate the 25th Annual Festa Italiana. Chaired by Eileen DiNizo, 
this year's event promise to be a grand celebration alive with colorful 
costumes, traditional foods, ethnic arts and crafts, and talented 
entertainers of Italian descent. The celebration will consist of both a 
day-long open air mall event, featuring piazza entertainment, food, 
crafts and a mass and an evening stage show highlighting renowned 
Italian entertainers. The Mall activities will kick-off with a 
traditional sing-a-long, dancing and comedy acts and will feature 
traditional food and crafts which will be available throughout the 
cultural exhibit area. Additionally, a liturgy will be concelebrated by 
the most Rev. Theodore E. McCarrick, Archbishop of Newark and clergy 
from throughout New Jersey. Immediately following the liturgy will be 
an evening stage show featuring many Italian artists including, 
comedian Freddie Travelena, singer Moreno Fruzzetti, and Anthony 
Rolando, two-time U.S. Accordion champion.
  On behalf of all New Jerseyans of Italian descent, which at 1.1 
million people is the largest ethnic group in my State, I offer my 
congratulations on the occasion of the 25th Annual Festa 
Italiana.


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