[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF THE DANTE CLUB'S 100TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the 100th year anniversary of the Dante Club in West 
Springfield, Massachusetts. The Dante Club has served as a place for 
Italians to embrace their culture, celebrate their history, and promote 
athleticism. Today, the Dante Club has over 900 members, a competitive 
racquetball league, and hosts widely attended social and cultural 
events throughout the year.
  On November 7, 1915, a group of Italian men gathered in Springfield 
with the goal of creating a club promoting ``culture, good fellowship, 
athletics, and good American citizenship.'' They named the club after 
Dante Alighieri, a highly acclaimed Italian poet and constructor of the 
Italian language. The Dante Club originally only accepted Italian 
members and sons of Italians, but later eased its membership 
restrictions, allowing men of other ethnic groups married to Italian 
women. In 1935, the Dante Women's Club division was formed, and in 1963 
the Club's constitution was amended, allowing non-Italians to become 
members.
  The Dante Club purchased its first site in 1924 in West Springfield. 
Thirty years later, the Club received notice that its property would be 
taken away in order to construct the Route 5 highway, so the members 
purchased the old Memorial School Building in West Springfield. This 
remains its current home today. The Club has had numerous improvements 
since its founding, and now includes a kitchen, banquet hall, and 
health center with racquetball courts. The Dante Club hosts a 
successful racquetball league, which runs from September to May of 
every year and includes six divisions with over 100 players. The health 
center was opened in 1970, and has trained several notable athletes, 
including the Michigan State hockey coach Amo Bessone, and Gene Grazia, 
1960 U.S. Hockey Team Olympic Gold Medalist.
  Mr. Speaker, the Dante Club's founders have succeeded in organizing a 
center in America to preserve and celebrate Italian culture and values, 
while fostering friendships and promoting athleticism and community. I 
wish the Dante Cub the best in its future endeavors, and look forward 
to watching it prosper for years to come.

                          ____________________