[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORS THE SOCIETY OF ST. TROFIMENA AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to 
join my neighborhood, Wooster Square in New Haven, Connecticut, and the 
Italian-American community in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 
Society of St. Trofimena. Founded in a home on Wooster Street in 
December of 1908, 100 years later, the Society of St. Trofimena 
continues to play an integral role in the lives of many of the families 
of Wooster Square.
  Immigrating to the United States in 2004, a group of Minoresi, 
families from the town of Minori, Italy, came to America in search of 
work and made New Haven their home. In an effort to provide mutual aid 
and comfort to each other they decided to form a fraternal group--the 
Society of St. Trofimena, Virgine & Martine. According to its original 
by-laws, its primary purpose was to unite all descendents of the town 
of Minori and to increase and spread the devotion of St. Torfimena. As 
a tribute, Antonio Esposito commissioned and donated to the society a 
statue of St. Trofimena that was made in Italy and shipped to New 
Haven. This statue has been used in all of the festivals honoring her 
and has been paraded through the streets of Wooster Square.
  The society flourished for more than 50 years before membership began 
to wane, however, in 1980 a group of descendents, spearheaded by 
Frances D'Amato Crisci and her brother Anthony D'Amato met to 
reorganize. In the years since its inception, members of the Society of 
St. Trofimena assumed a critical responsibility--maintaining the 
Italian heritage that thousands of Greater New Haven residents share. 
Each year, the Society of St. Trofimena keeps our community spirit 
alive honoring St. Trofimena on her feast day of July 13 and at a mass 
in memory of her deceased members in November. It is through efforts 
such as these that we renew our history and help pass it along.
  Forged through the bonds of family, the members of the Society of St. 
Trofimena continue to be active in the community--enriching our 
neighborhood and ensuring that our rich history is not forgotten by new 
generations. The original mission of the society is still apparent 
today as we gather to celebrate their centennial anniversary. It is 
with great pride that I stand today to extend my deepest thanks and 
warmest congratulations to the members of the Society of St. Trofimena 
on their 100th anniversary.

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