[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    APPRECIATING AMERICA ALLY ITALY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as the incoming chairman 
of the Helsinki Commission Organization of Security and Cooperation in 
Europe, I was grateful for the delegation led by outgoing Chairman 
Steve Cohen as a bi-partisan delegation to Rome.
  Welcomed by U.S. charge d'affairs Shawn Crowley, we immediately met 
with valued former Congressman, now Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe 
Donnelly, who with wife Jill, represent America well. At the Palazzo 
Chigi Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, 
Ambassador Francesco Talo reviewed the new government's support of the 
independence of Ukraine. Prime Minister Meloni was on the way to Kyiv.
  Meeting with Undersecretary of the State for Foreign Affairs and 
International Cooperation Georgio Silli confirmed the courageous Meloni 
government recognizes the Chinese Communist Party is a systemic rival 
of authoritarians opposed to democracies.
  My affection for Italy is personal in that my son Add, was an 
orthopedic surgeon at U.S. Naval Hospital Naples for three years, where 
his wife Lauren, learned Italian cooking and grandchildren, Addison, 
Houston, and Emily Ruth learned perfect Italian with Addison later 
studying architecture in Genoa with Clemson University.
  The visit to Ancient Rome was a humbling reminder of our shared 
heritage so crucial for the development of Western Civilization. 
Appreciating Roman influence on America is enhanced by the more than 20 
million Italian Americans who are vital for the bright future of 
America.
  Italy is a cherished American ally as democracies with Rule of Law 
confront authoritarians with Rule of Gun.

                          ____________________