[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 136 (Thursday, October 11, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 STATEMENT IN HONOR OF COLUMBUS DAY AND ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 30th anniversary of 
Columbus Day as a public holiday and the 25th anniversary of our nation 
celebrating October as Italian American Heritage Month.
  In completing his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean over 500 
years ago, Christopher Columbus changed the course of history for the 
American continent.
  Today, the nation's estimated 25 million Italian Americans from all 
walks of life have left a permanent and undeniable mark on the history 
of America. From Alphonse Tonty, the co-founder of Detroit, Michigan to 
Joe Dimaggio, the famous Yankee slugger--and everyone in between--
Italian Americans have contributed in countless ways to the greatness 
of this country.
  As someone who has the privilege of working in our Nation's capital, 
I note with admiration the contributions of Italian Americans found 
throughout Washington D.C. The statue of Abraham Lincoln found in the 
Lincoln Memorial, was carved from 28 blocks of marble by a Neapolitan 
immigrant named Attilio Piccirilli and his five brothers. The interior 
dome of the Capitol Building was painted by Constantino Brumidi, an 
Italian artist. Union Station and the National Cathedral were built 
with the help of Italian immigrants.
  Today, the strength of the relationship between the United States and 
Italy is a testament to the countless immigrants from Italy who made 
America their home generations ago. Whether it is U.S. military 
personnel stationed in Italy to assist in our efforts in the Balkans or 
Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero offering ``no limitations'' on 
Italian support of our anti-terrorism campaign in the aftermath of the 
horrific attacks against America on September 11, 2001, Italy is a key 
ally of the United States.
  The history of cooperation between our nations date back to the some 
1,500 men who fought in three different Italian regiments to help 
America gain its independence from Great Britain during the 
Revolutionary War. It is believed Thomas Jefferson's Tuscan neighbor, 
Filippo Mazzei, suggested the historic words found in the Declaration 
of Independence--``All men are created equal.'' Indeed, two of the 
original signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Italian 
origin: William Paca and Caesar Rodney.
  Even in some of the darkest periods of our history, Italian Americans 
have helped us learn important lessons. During World War II, we 
shamefully restricted the freedoms of more than 600,000 Italian-born 
immigrants and Italian Americans. From arrest to internment to 
confiscation of property, proud Americans were subjected to deplorable 
treatment because of their national origin. As we formulate our 
response to the recent terrorist attacks, policy makers are mindful of 
the lessons learned from our treatment of Italian Americans during the 
1940s.
  Italian Americans are an integral part of this nation's success. As 
America celebrates the holiday commemorating the great Italian 
explorer, I join in honoring the contributions Americans of Italian 
descent have made to our great country.