[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 93 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, rise today in honor and recognition of the 
leaders and members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, of Cleveland, 
Ohio, as they celebrate 80 years of faith, guidance and support, 
embracing generations of citizens throughout our Westside Cleveland 
community.
  In 1926, Our Lady of Mount Carmel was established to serve the 
spiritual and cultural needs of the Italian-American residents of this 
neighborhood. Father Sante Gattuso and Father Martin Compango were 
selected by then-Cleveland Bishop John Farrelly to assist and guide the 
needs of the growing population of Italian-American families, including 
newly arrived immigrants from Italy.
  Father Sante slowly garnered the trust and admiration of the people 
of the West 69th neighborhood and people began gathering on the front 
porch of the Fascano family home, where services were first conducted. 
Storefront space was rented for many years until ground was broken on 
West 70th Street in 1949, the year that the parish and newly built 
grade school found a permanent home--all of which was made possible by 
the faith, commitment and devotion of Father Sante Gattuso and the 
faithful Italian-American community of the Westside.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of every leader and member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, as they 
celebrate 80 years of cultivating faith, hope and heritage for 
generations of families within our Cleveland community. We also rise in 
honor and memory of the struggle, sacrifice and triumph of the founding 
members of this parish, who journeyed to America with few possessions 
beyond faith, love and hope in their hearts and the grit to survive. 
Love and faith still shines from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 
encircling this neighborhood with light, strength and hope rising on 
the dawn of every new day.

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