[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING ROSA NACCARATO
(Mr. SUOZZI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken in this Chamber before about
my father's American success story as an Italian immigrant. Today, I
rise to tell the story of another Italian immigrant success story, the
story of my constituent's mother, Rosa Naccarato.
Rosa died unexpectedly this past Christmas, only 2 weeks shy of her
95th birthday.
In 1955, Rosa left Italy with her husband and six children, leaving
behind her friends and family, all in pursuit of the American Dream.
Think of the tears that were shed as family and a way of life were left
behind and as they faced the unknown.
The Naccaratos arrived in America with only $200 in their pocket.
They worked hard and experienced tremendous hardships and personal
affronts because they didn't speak English. But they refused to believe
that they were second-class citizens.
They persevered, and their children all achieved tremendous success.
Their son, Anthony Naccarato, my constituent, was recently installed as
the New York State president of the Sons and Daughters of Italy.
Anthony asked me to speak up on behalf of his mother and all
immigrants who make the leap of faith to leave everything behind and
come to America to try and live the American Dream. Hopefully, Rosa
Naccarato's story will inspire others to persevere through the
hardships, the discrimination, and the outright disrespect.
Mr. Speaker, today, we honor Rosa Naccarato. God bless her, and God
bless the United States of America.
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