[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO THE ITALIAN-AMERICANS

                                 ______


                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Italian-
Americans, pillars of our great Nation.
  Since the landing on the shores of this continent by a brave and 
daring sailor from Genova known to us as Christopher Columbus, Italian-
Americans have played a vital role in forming our country.
  From the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Italian 
William Paca, a declaration that contained the words ``and all men were 
created equal,'' it is no wonder that this great Nation should be named 
America, after the Florentine explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
  More than 23 million Italian immigrants have come to this country. 
They worked in the coal mines, they dug our subway systems, they 
planted our vineyards, and they were foremost in their appreciation of 
family values. Constantine Brumidi spent his life in America painting 
the inside of the dome of our Capitol--16 months of it on his back.
  They also formed the Garibalde Guard, a fighting unit made up of 
mostly Italian-Americans who scored victories in numerous battles from 
Bull Run to Appomattox; and Gen. Luigi di Cesnola, Civil War hero and 
winner of the Medal of Honor.
  The achievements and contributions of Italian-Americans continued 
into the 20th Century. Amadeo Giannini founded the Bank of America, 
turning it into the largest, privately-owned banking institution in the 
world. Angelo Siciliano became America's Charles Atlas, Silvestre Poli 
started 20th Century Fox, Amadeo Obici founded Planter's Peanuts, 
Theresa DeFrancischi posed for the Miss Liberty head on our silver 
dollars, Charles Bonaparte founded the FBI, Rudolph Valentine was the 
star of the silent screen, and war hero Sgt. John Basilone who was the 
only one in history to receive our Nation's two highest honors, the 
Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.
  The tapestry of America is deeply woven with the contributions by 
Italian-Americans; Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra, Vince Lombardi, Mario 
Andretti, Rocky Marciano, Frank Capra, Lee Iacocca, Guy Lombardi, Bila 
Grasso, and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, are just a few.
  The Italian contribution to America spans a history of 503 years. It 
is a contribution that has continuing residuals that benefit every 
American every day, and it should not be overlooked, but revered.
  Mr. Speaker, today I am happy to join the Governor of the great State 
of Florida, along with many county commissioners, city mayors and 
councils, in declaring the month of October 1995, as Italian Heritage 
and Cultural Month.


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