[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE 150TH YEAR OF ITALIAN UNIFICATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI-

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that Congressman 
Bill Pascrell and I rise on behalf of the Italian American Delegation 
to honor the 150th year of Italian Unification.
  On March 17th, 2011 the Republic of Italy celebrates their 150th year 
of unification throughout Italy and across the United States with a 
series of activities turning 2011 into an ``Italian Year.''
  150 years ago the Risorgimento gave birth to modern Italy, preserving 
the ideals of western civilization: the protection of the rights, 
freedoms, and liberty of individuals.
  Much of what we are as Americans and what we believe in has roots in 
Italy. As long time allies, we share a unique partnership in the arts, 
sciences and politics. Our friendship is strengthened through our 
common values and historical ties. It has been shaped through the ideas 
and contributions of great figures like Andrea Palladio and Thomas 
Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Gaetano Filangieri, Giuseppe Garibaldi 
and Abraham Lincoln.
  As co-chairs of the Italian-American delegation, we are proud to 
represent millions of Americans who like ourselves, are of Italian 
descent. Our ancestors have brought proud traditions of service with 
them to the United States. We still share those values today and with 
assistance from many Italian-American community organizations we 
continue to pass these traditions onto future generations.
  As President Kennedy stated during the Centennial celebration of 
Italian Unification, ``We have the old and the new bound together and 
inextricably linked, Italy and the United States, past, present and we 
believe, future.''
  We proudly recognize and celebrate this 150th anniversary of Italian 
Unification and the continued friendship between the United States and 
Italy.

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