[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 4, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REPUBLIC OF ITALY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, 1996 marks the 50th anniversary of 
the establishment of the Republic of Italy. Fifty years ago, Italy 
escaped the dark hold of fascism and began the process of becoming the 
important democratic nation it is today. Modern Italy was created out 
of the tumultuous aftermath of World War II. The system of governing 
for the new republic received its mandate from the people of Italy, and 
it has continued in that fashion for the past 50 years. On May 9, 1946, 
Victor Emmanuel III gave up his claim to the Italian throne. On June 2, 
1946, Italians officially replaced the monarchy with a republic when 
Italy held its first free elections in 20 years. The purpose of the 
Constituent Assembly that was elected was to prepare a new democratic 
constitution to guide a free Italy in the future. The Assembly adopted 
a new constitution 1 year later. As Italy's democratic tradition has 
grown stronger and older over the years, the nation has continued to 
exert its leadership in world affairs. Today, Italy is a respected ally 
of much of the industrialized world and a leader in many of its 
organizations. I know that my Senate colleagues join me in celebrating 
the great strides that the Republic of Italy has made over the past 50 
years.

                          ____________________