[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 1995

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
October as Italian-American Heritage month and to acknowledge the 
accomplishments and contributions of Italian-Americans. As an American 
with Italian roots, I appreciate the significance of this month. My 
grandfather Michael came here from Italy to begin a new life, seeking 
opportunity for himself and his posterity. As many older Italian-
Americans can attest, life in the States was not necessarily easy. Our 
people worked hard and labored long hours in some very difficult jobs, 
seeking only to earn an honest living. Michael Martini actually worked 
16 hours a day making hats and selling them out of a little shop in 
what would become my hometown of Passaic, NJ.
  Despite hard work, the road was not always easy. At times ethnic 
discrimination reared its ugly head to dampen the progress of Italian-
Americans; they wee often assigned the most menial tasks or passed up 
for promotions because of their names or their accents. Even as late as 
the 1970's, prejudice against Italian-Americans was not unknown.
  One such example occurred during a 1970 City University of New York 
enrollment expansion in New York City. As the University enrollment 
experienced unprecedented expansion, faculty members born of Italian-
American heritage were unjustly denied tenure. A small yet strong group 
of faculty began meeting on a regular basis to discuss the injustice 
unfolding all around them. After many years of cultivating support from 
outside agencies and State legislators, Italian-American descendants 
slowly but surely leveled the playing field. On March 17, 1975, 
Chancellor Kibbee of the City University of New York addressed the 
interests of the minority group developing academic, cultural and 
political programs aimed at the progress of the Italian-American 
society.
  As they should, Italian-Americans have and will fight all forms of 
discrimination and prejudice head-on with pride and a fiery spirit. 
This is just one aspect of our culture we should remember as Italian-
American Heritage month begins, and I want to urge my colleagues, 
especially those of Italian descent, to join me in the celebration.

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