[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING GERARDO OLIVERO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 3, 2019

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the outstanding 
contributions of Gerardo Olivero to the people of the State of New 
Jersey. His numerous achievements through hard work and dedication 
inspire generations, old and young. To this day, he motivates his 
community to achieve their own American Dream.
  Of humble beginnings, Gerardo Olivero was born in Avellino, Italy, 
the youngest of 11 children. The Olivero family moved to Tripoli, Libya 
in 1939 and worked tirelessly on the land given to them, however, this 
peaceful life did not last. In 1943, the Olivero family was forced to 
evacuate Italian Libya due to World War II. They left their new home 
behind, sought shelter in a refugee camp in Sicily, Italy, and returned 
back to their hometown of Avellino.
  In 1952, Gerardo's father, Constantino, immigrated to the United 
States and three years later, the rest of the family made the same 
journey. The seven-day voyage from Naples to Manhattan not only 
reunited Gerardo with his father, but also opened a world of new 
opportunities. Making a home in Paterson, New Jersey, Gerardo attended 
Central High School, where he diligently studied English.
  Gerardo worked many jobs to help support himself and his family. His 
first and most pivotal job was in a coat factory; at the beginning of 
his career he learned the fundamentals of persistence and gratitude 
that would make him a role model for his community. While visiting 
Italy in 1967 for the first time since leaving, Gerardo met and later 
married Dina Della Salla on October 22 of that year. The two returned 
to the United States and settled down in Paterson. In 1973 Gerardo 
became a businessman in his own right, opening a coat factory, which 
stayed in business for 28 years until his retirement in 2001. This was 
one of Gerardo's greatest achievements, second to that of raising his 
family with his loving wife.
  In 1955, Gerardo began an active membership in the Roma Club, formed 
numerous lifelong friendships, became Vice President in 1972, and went 
on to serve as President from 1982 to 2014. With the Roma Club being a 
second family to him, Gerardo still frequents the club and keeps his 
Italian heritage alive as a participating member, whilst residing in 
his Pompton Plains home of 43 years and enjoying being a proud father 
and grandfather.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to working with and recognizing the 
efforts of dedicated individuals like Mr. Gerardo Olivero.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Gerardo Olivero's 
family and friends, and the residents of the State of New Jersey in 
recognizing his outstanding character and service to his community.

                          ____________________