[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10567-H10569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 347) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives in support of ``Italian-American Heritage Month'' and 
recognizing the contributions of Italian Americans to the United 
States.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 347

       Whereas Italians, like Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher 
     Columbus, were some of the first explorers to discover the 
     American continents and illustrate the geography;
       Whereas Italians and Italian Americans have made great 
     contributions to America's society economically, culturally, 
     and politically;
       Whereas Italian Americans have won prestigious prizes, such 
     as the Nobel Prize, the Pritzker Award for architecture, and 
     the Fields Medal for mathematics;
       Whereas Italians and Italian Americans invented pianos, 
     violins, calendars, radios, telescopes, compasses, 
     microscopes, thermometers, eye glasses, steam engines, 
     typewriters, and batteries;
       Whereas Italian Americans have toiled and labored while 
     helping to build our Nation's infrastructure, including 
     railroads, tunnels, highways, and subways;
       Whereas a great many Americans have enjoyed the 
     entertainment provided by Italian Americans, such as Hall of 
     Fame baseball player Joe DiMaggio, singer and songwriter 
     Frank Sinatra, world-renowned composer Henry Mancini, and 
     Oscar-winning actor Robert DeNiro;
       Whereas great Italian American political figures, such as 
     Fiorella La Guardia (who was both Mayor of, then Congressman 
     from, New York City), Anthony Celebrezze (who, in the Kennedy 
     administration, was the first Italian American Cabinet 
     member), and Antonin Scalia (who, in 1982, became the first 
     Italian American Supreme Court Justice), have enriched the 
     political process and brought national pride to our country;

[[Page H10568]]

       Whereas over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United 
     States between 1820 and 1991, which today has resulted in 
     over 26 million Americans of Italian descent in the United 
     States, making them the fifth largest ethnic group; and
       Whereas the Massachusetts Legislature has designated the 
     month of October as ``Italian-American Heritage Month'' in 
     Massachusetts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideas of ``Italian-American Heritage Month'' and 
     recognizes the significant contributions that Italian 
     Americans have made to the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Capuano) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).


                             General Leave

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Res. 347.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 
347. It is an important piece of legislation that has been introduced 
by my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano).
  This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives 
in support of Italian-American Heritage Month and recognizes the 
contributions of Italian-Americans to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United 
States between 1820 and 1991. Today, over 26 million Americans are of 
Italian decent in the United States, the fifth largest ethnic group 
within the United States.
  Some of the very first explorers to discover America were Italians, 
including Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus. Since then, 
Italians and Italian Americans have continued to make lasting 
contributions to our great country. For example, Italian Americans have 
won the Nobel Prize, the Pritzker Award for architecture, and the 
Fields Medal for mathematics. Italians and Italian Americans invented 
pianos, violins, radios and steam engines.
  America has been fortunate to enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra and 
composer Henry Mancini, the baseball heroics of Hall of Fame baseball 
legend Joe DiMaggio, and the acting of Oscar winner Robert DeNiro.
  We honor Italian American political figures in history, such as 
Fiorella La Guardia, Mayor and then Congressman from New York City; 
Anthony Celebrezze, who served in the cabinet of the Kennedy 
administration and was the first Italian-American cabinet member; and 
today we are fortunate to have the first Italian-American Supreme Court 
Justice, Antonin Scalia.
  Mr. Speaker, the Massachusetts legislature has designated October as 
``Italian American Heritage Month.'' I urge all Members to support the 
goals and ideals of this designation and to honor the contribution of 
Italian Americans as they have made them to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank those people that have allowed this 
resolution to come to the floor of the House. It is relatively simple 
and straightforward.
  October, as we all know, is a month that we celebrate Christopher 
Columbus Day, and it is a month that many Italian Americans across this 
country have utilized to remember their own heritage and their own 
background.
  I think it is particularly appropriate for this resolution to be 
before us on the same day as H.R. 2442, which recalls the plight of 
many Italian Americans during World War II. They were interned at the 
behest of this government, which was an amazing thing, considering that 
it happened at the same time that probably one of the largest ethnic 
groups in the world helping the Americans were Italian Americans 
fighting in World War II, and that included my father as an Italian 
American, the son of Italian Americans.
  This resolution simply states what many people already know, and some 
things I think people do not know. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette) went through much of it.
  But some of the things that people do not know is what Italian 
Americans and Italians have invented that help them every day, not the 
least of which is pianos, violins, the calendars that we all use every 
day were invented by Italians, radios down on Cape Cod in 
Massachusetts, telescopes, compasses, microscopes, thermometers, 
eyeglasses, steam engines, typewriters and batteries, all discovered by 
Italians or Italian Americans.
  I rise today simply to congratulate all of the people that have come 
to these shores, including Italians and Italian Americans, and all of 
their heritage, the 26 million people in America today who claim some 
Italian heritage, the fifth largest ethnic group, as was pointed out by 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  I also rise today to remind them that if they want to see some of the 
work that has been done by Italian Americans, all they have to do is 
simply step outside this Chamber and take a look up. Much of the art 
work done in this Capitol was done by Mr. Brumidi, also an Italian 
American.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleagues on the other side for 
allowing this to come up, and I join in asking for the passage of this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all Members to support Italian-American 
Heritage Month as designated by the Massachusetts Legislature. Our 
country is richer and stronger, thanks to the many contributions that 
Italian Americans have made to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this resolution. I 
want to congratulate my colleague and friend, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano), for bringing this measure to our 
attention. I urge its passage.
  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a 
distinct and important group in this country--Italian Americans. I 
introduced H. Res. 347 because I felt that America should stand up and 
recognize the invaluable contributions bequeathed upon our society by 
countless Italian Americans throughout this nation's history.
  Last October, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a law 
observing the month of October as Italian-American Heritage Month. This 
law recognizes the unique impression bestowed on our country's rich 
national heritage by Italian Americans. My resolution, H. Res. 347, not 
only supports the goals and ideas of Italian-American Heritage Month 
nationwide, but also recognizes the significant contributions Italian 
Americans have made to our great nation.
  Italian Americans have made significant contributions economically, 
culturally and politically to our society. Amerigo Vespucci and 
Christopher Columbus were some of the first explorers to discover the 
American continents and illustrate the geography. Italian Americans 
have won prestigious prizes, such as the Nobel Prize, the Pritzker 
Award for architecture, and the Fields Medal for mathematics.
  Over the past 200 years, 5.4 million Italians have immigrated to the 
United States. Today more than 26 million Americans are of Italian 
descent, 72 thousand alone reside in the eighth district of 
Massachusetts. As this country's fifth largest ethnic group, Italian 
Americans have brought to our communities a tireless work ethnic, a 
strong sense of family cohesion, and an artistically rich culture. This 
unique and profound impact of Italian culture has become an integral 
part of the American way of life. In fact, many Italian Americans have 
gone on to become prominent in our nation's academic, industrial, 
entertainment, and political fields.
  Nearly every American has experienced the unique contributions of 
Italian Americans. Famous Italian Americans like Hall of Fame baseball 
player Joe DiMaggio, world-renowed composer Henry Mancini, singer and 
songwriter Frank Sinatra, and Oscar winner Robert DeNiro have provided 
all Americans with many forms of entertainment. Millions of Americans 
have experienced the brilliance of Constantine Brumidi, an Italian 
immigrant, who was the artistic prodigy behind the elaborate paintings 
in the United States Capitol. Other Italian Americans have enriched our 
political process, including political figures such as Fiorella La 
Guardia, both mayor and Congressman from New York City, Anthony

[[Page H10569]]

Celebrezze, who served during John F. Kennedy's Administration and was 
the first Italian American Cabinet Member, and Antonin Scalia, who is 
the first Italian American appointed to the Supreme Court.
  I invite every Member to join me in celebrating the tremendous impact 
Italian Americans have made to our nation and our national identity.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 347.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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