[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A SPECIAL PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2001

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, the Italian American community in this 
nation remains deeply interested in tracing and maintaining their 
family connections in Italy. Each year, family members of all ages 
visit the small towns and villages where their loved ones lived before 
emigrating to the United States.
  I recently became aware of one such trip by the grandson of one of 
the more prominent and successful Italian American families in our 
country: the Pope family. Paul David Pope, a successful businessman and 
philanthropist who lives in Florida, traveled to Italy in June to honor 
the memory of his grandfather, Generoso Pope Sr. While doing so, he 
rekindled the spirit of benevolence which his grandfather had bestowed 
on the villages of Pasquarielli, Terranova and Arpaise in the southern 
province of Benevento.
  In 1906, at the age of 15, Generoso Pope left his poor farming 
village and arrived in New York City with little money and a dream of 
success. He labored in the sand pits of Long Island for five years 
while going to night school. Following that, he went to work for the 
newly formed Colonial Sand and Stone Company and by 1926 he was the 
company President.
  In 1928, Pope purchased II Progresso Italo-Americano, the nation's 
largest Italian language daily newspaper. He later bought 3 other large 
Italian language newspapers in New York and Philadelphia.
  Generoso Pope became an advocate and a champion for the new Italian 
immigrants who came to the United States. A patriot who helped to raise 
funds for the Allies War effort, Pope urged his readers to learn 
English, become citizens and vote. Pope later became the sponsor of the 
now world famous Columbus Day celebration in New York.
  In 1929, Pope returned to Arpaise, Italy, with his wife and sons. He 
paid for a municipal power plant to bring electricity to the poor and 
isolated community, and in subsequent years, helped other local 
villages construct buildings like churches, schools and municipal 
structures. He also financed scholarships for worthy students.
  More than 70 years later, Paul Pope followed his grandfather's path 
home to Arpaise, to learn more about his grandfather's impact on the 
small towns where he lived. Paul also emulated his grandfather by 
making a significant contribution to fund several urgently needed civic 
improvements in the town. The emotional highlight of the trip occurred 
when town leaders and citizens honored Paul Pope with a magnificent 
Festa. It came 65 years after a similar Festa was held for his 
grandfather. Mayor Armando Cimmino bestowed Honorary Citizenship on 
Paul Pope for his work and philanthropy on behalf of Arpaise. Paul Pope 
also received the prestigious Magna Grecia Award by the International 
Association of Magna Grecia and an award from the International 
Association of Marguttiani. Paul Pope concluded his historic visit with 
a private mass with His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
  While in Italy, Pope announced the establishment of the Pope Medal to 
be presented annually to an individual who makes significant 
contributions in promoting their cultural initiatives, as well as his 
intention to sponsor an annual conference on the Italian-American 
experience, dedicated to the memory of his grandfather. The annual 
conference will be held under the auspices of the Calandra Institute of 
Queens College, City University of New York. The first conference will 
be held in 2002 and will focus on the Italian language press in America 
from its origins in the 19th century through today. Mr. Paul also hopes 
to hold additional forums at selected American colleges and 
universities with leading Italians in business, government, education 
and the arts.
  Paul Pope's experience proves once again that the ties between the 
United States and Italy are strong and enduring. I salute Paul Pope and 
the distinguished Italian Americans from New York who accompanied him 
on the trip including New York State Supreme Court Justice Dominic R. 
Massaro; Monsignor George J. Cascelli, Director Italian Apostolate of 
the Archdiocese of New York; Dr. Joseph Scelsa, Vice President for 
Institutional Development at Queens College; Maria Fosco, President of 
the Italian Welfare League; and Joan Migliori, Assistant Director of 
the City University of New York Italy Exchange Program. Paul Pope has 
made an important contribution to furthering cultural interactions 
between the United States and Italy, and I commend him for his 
leadership, commitment and vision.

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