[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE LEOMINSTER COLONIAL BAND ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 
                         CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2010

  Mr. OLVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Leominster 
Colonial Band for its 100 years of active involvement in the Leominster 
community.
  The Leominster Colonial Band started as a group of Italian immigrant 
musicians gathering together and soon became an institution in 
Leominster. The band was founded by Gaspare Bisceglia, a 16-year-old 
apprentice bandmaster, who immigrated to Leominster from San Giovanni, 
Italy. The band gave its first concert on the Leominster common on 
August 16, 1910.
  Known originally as the ``Banda Regione d'Italia,'' the band has 
undergone several name changes as its role in the city evolved and its 
membership diversified. It became the ``Italian Colonial Band,'' and 
later the ``Leominster Colonial Band.''
  The history of the Leominster Colonial Band is interwoven with the 
history of Leominster. Over the years, the band has played at numerous 
civic events and parades. The band performed in celebrations at the end 
of World War I and led Leominster's welcoming parade when American 
troops returned from World War II. The band also played at the 
dedication of Leominster's Spanish-American War monument.
  During the Great Depression, Gaspare Bisceglia established a free 
summer concert series on the downtown common. This tradition has 
continued over the years and the band now performs five free concerts 
every year at Leominster's historic Carter Park. The band plays an 
annual Christmas concert and regularly plays at Italian feasts in 
Leominster, Boston and throughout Massachusetts. It frequently 
participates in church celebrations in the Worcester and Greater Boston 
areas and plays in processions for weddings and funerals.
  In 2006, the Leominster Colonial Band received the ``Citizen of the 
Year'' award from the Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State 
College, in recognition of its contributions and dedication to Italian 
culture. In the spring of 2010, the band will be honored with the City 
of Leominster's ``Citizen of the Year'' award.
  I am very proud to represent the town of Leominster, which is rich in 
history and public spirit. The members of the Leominster Colonial Band 
demonstrate a spirit of community involvement, a dedication to 
upholding Italian cultural traditions, and a commitment to performing 
quality band music. Please join me in congratulating the Leominster 
Colonial Band as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary.

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