[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1943-E1944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO DR. MARCO BRUNO AND JOSEPH ALESSI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 1996

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, as we approach October, National Italian-
American Heritage Month, being an Italian-American myself, I would like 
to commend two distinguished individuals from my congressional district 
for their dedication to increasing the awareness of Italian-American 
heritage. These two gentlemen, Dr. Marco Bruno and Mr. Joseph Alessi, 
were recently recognized by the Belleville Chapter of UNICO National 
for their accomplishments.
  Dr. Bruno is extremely active in the Italian-American community. He 
is a founder and charter member of the Center for Italian and Italian-
American Culture, Inc. He has served as the center's vice president, a 
member of the board of trustees, chairman of the membership committee, 
participant and chairman of several other cultural and fundraising 
activities. Currently, Dr. Bruno is serving his third year as president 
of the executive board. He is a member of the National Italian American 
Foundation [NIAF]. Dr. Bruno has been a member of Cedar Grove UNICO for 
over 10 years and has served as chairman of the Heritage Committee. In 
addition, he has held the offices of vice president and president. In 
1992, Dr. Bruno was honored as the Cedar Grove UNICO Man of the Year. 
His numerous activities with UNICO include various heritage programs, 
coordinator of the Columbus Day Parade, Christmas Toy Drive, and 
director of Italian language classes in Cedar Grove. He is a member of 
the UNICO Once Voice Committee and has assisted in the organization of 
Italian-American Heritage Day at Montclair State College, and the One 
Voice Seminar at Seton Hall University. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Dr. Bruno 
has most recently served as co-chairman of the A-T Children's Project 
Family Day fundraiser.
  Mr. Speaker, the second notable Italian-American, Joseph Alessi 
served as Essex County Condemnation Commissioner and an Arbitrator for 
the Essex County Court Special Civil Part. He became a member of Cedar 
Grove UNICO in 1986 and served as president from 1988 to 1990. He 
founded the Heritage Committee of Cedar Grove UNICO and was 
instrumental in procuring educational videos on Italian heritage. Mr. 
Alessi served on the UNICO scholarship committee and was active in 
various fundraising events. He was appointed to the honorary advisory 
committee for the Newark Public Library's International Cultural 
Festival in Italy. Mr. Alessi serves with Dr. Bruno as a trustee for 
the Center for Italian and Italian-American Culture. In addition, he 
also holds the position as co-chairman of the center's annual gala. 
Finally, Mr. Alessi is

[[Page E1944]]

a member of One-Voice, an organization founded by Dr. Emanuel A. 
Alfano, who is dedicated to eradicating negative Italian stereotyping 
and defamation.
  Mr. Speaker, I cannot express enough appreciation and admiration for 
these two gentlemen. They have already contributed more to their 
communities than most people could even dream of accomplishing in a 
lifetime. Their actions and characters carry the highest level of 
integrity and should be noted by all. Mr. Speaker, Italian-Americans 
have suffered many hardships over the years, and it is thanks to 
individuals such as Dr. Bruno and Mr. Alessi that we begin to 
reestablish our rich and notable heritage. Thank you gentlemen, and may 
you continue your noble efforts to propel the heritage of Italian-
Americans.

                          ____________________