[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16] [House] [Pages 23955-23956] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 347) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of ``Italian-American Heritage Month'' and recognizing the contributions of Italian Americans to the United States. The Clerk read as follows: H. Res. 347 Whereas Italians, like Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus, were some of the first explorers to discover the American continents and illustrate the geography; Whereas Italians and Italian Americans have made great contributions to America's society economically, culturally, and politically; Whereas Italian Americans have won prestigious prizes, such as the Nobel Prize, the Pritzker Award for architecture, and the Fields Medal for mathematics; Whereas Italians and Italian Americans invented pianos, violins, calendars, radios, telescopes, compasses, microscopes, thermometers, eye glasses, steam engines, typewriters, and batteries; Whereas Italian Americans have toiled and labored while helping to build our Nation's infrastructure, including railroads, tunnels, highways, and subways; Whereas a great many Americans have enjoyed the entertainment provided by Italian Americans, such as Hall of Fame baseball player Joe DiMaggio, singer and songwriter Frank Sinatra, world-renowned composer Henry Mancini, and Oscar-winning actor Robert DeNiro; Whereas great Italian American political figures, such as Fiorella La Guardia (who was both Mayor of, then Congressman from, New York City), Anthony Celebrezze (who, in the Kennedy administration, was the first Italian American Cabinet member), and Antonin Scalia (who, in 1982, became the first Italian American Supreme Court Justice), have enriched the political process and brought national pride to our country; Whereas over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1991, which today has resulted in over 26 million Americans of Italian descent in the United States, making them the fifth largest ethnic group; and Whereas the Massachusetts Legislature has designated the month of October as ``Italian-American Heritage Month'' in Massachusetts: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideas of ``Italian-American Heritage Month'' and recognizes the significant contributions that Italian Americans have made to the United States. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette). General Leave Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 347. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio? There was no objection. Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 347. It is an important piece of legislation that has been introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano). This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives in support of Italian-American Heritage Month and recognizes the contributions of Italian-Americans to the United States. Mr. Speaker, over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1991. Today, over 26 million Americans are of Italian decent in the United States, the fifth largest ethnic group within the United States. Some of the very first explorers to discover America were Italians, including Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus. Since then, Italians and Italian Americans have continued to make lasting contributions to our great country. For example, Italian Americans have won the Nobel Prize, the Pritzker Award for architecture, and the Fields Medal for mathematics. Italians and Italian Americans invented pianos, violins, radios and steam engines. America has been fortunate to enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra and composer Henry Mancini, the baseball [[Page 23956]] heroics of Hall of Fame baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, and the acting of Oscar winner Robert DeNiro. We honor Italian American political figures in history, such as Fiorella La Guardia, Mayor and then Congressman from New York City; Anthony Celebrezze, who served in the cabinet of the Kennedy administration and was the first Italian-American cabinet member; and today we are fortunate to have the first Italian-American Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia. Mr. Speaker, the Massachusetts legislature has designated October as ``Italian American Heritage Month.'' I urge all Members to support the goals and ideals of this designation and to honor the contribution of Italian Americans as they have made them to the United States. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank those people that have allowed this resolution to come to the floor of the House. It is relatively simple and straightforward. October, as we all know, is a month that we celebrate Christopher Columbus Day, and it is a month that many Italian Americans across this country have utilized to remember their own heritage and their own background. I think it is particularly appropriate for this resolution to be before us on the same day as H.R. 2442, which recalls the plight of many Italian Americans during World War II. They were interned at the behest of this government, which was an amazing thing, considering that it happened at the same time that probably one of the largest ethnic groups in the world helping the Americans were Italian Americans fighting in World War II, and that included my father as an Italian American, the son of Italian Americans. This resolution simply states what many people already know, and some things I think people do not know. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) went through much of it. But some of the things that people do not know is what Italian Americans and Italians have invented that help them every day, not the least of which is pianos, violins, the calendars that we all use every day were invented by Italians, radios down on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, telescopes, compasses, microscopes, thermometers, eyeglasses, steam engines, typewriters and batteries, all discovered by Italians or Italian Americans. I rise today simply to congratulate all of the people that have come to these shores, including Italians and Italian Americans, and all of their heritage, the 26 million people in America today who claim some Italian heritage, the fifth largest ethnic group, as was pointed out by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette). I also rise today to remind them that if they want to see some of the work that has been done by Italian Americans, all they have to do is simply step outside this Chamber and take a look up. Much of the art work done in this Capitol was done by Mr. Brumidi, also an Italian American. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleagues on the other side for allowing this to come up, and I join in asking for the passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all Members to support Italian-American Heritage Month as designated by the Massachusetts Legislature. Our country is richer and stronger, thanks to the many contributions that Italian Americans have made to the United States. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this resolution. I want to congratulate my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano), for bringing this measure to our attention. I urge its passage. Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a distinct and important group in this country--Italian Americans. I introduced H. Res. 347 because I felt that America should stand up and recognize the invaluable contributions bequeathed upon our society by countless Italian Americans throughout this nation's history. Last October, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a law observing the month of October as Italian-American Heritage Month. This law recognizes the unique impression bestowed on our country's rich national heritage by Italian Americans. My resolution, H. Res. 347, not only supports the goals and ideas of Italian-American Heritage Month nationwide, but also recognizes the significant contributions Italian Americans have made to our great nation. Italian Americans have made significant contributions economically, culturally and politically to our society. Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus were some of the first explorers to discover the American continents and illustrate the geography. Italian Americans have won prestigious prizes, such as the Nobel Prize, the Pritzker Award for architecture, and the Fields Medal for mathematics. Over the past 200 years, 5.4 million Italians have immigrated to the United States. Today more than 26 million Americans are of Italian descent, 72 thousand alone reside in the eighth district of Massachusetts. As this country's fifth largest ethnic group, Italian Americans have brought to our communities a tireless work ethnic, a strong sense of family cohesion, and an artistically rich culture. This unique and profound impact of Italian culture has become an integral part of the American way of life. In fact, many Italian Americans have gone on to become prominent in our nation's academic, industrial, entertainment, and political fields. Nearly every American has experienced the unique contributions of Italian Americans. Famous Italian Americans like Hall of Fame baseball player Joe DiMaggio, world-renowed composer Henry Mancini, singer and songwriter Frank Sinatra, and Oscar winner Robert DeNiro have provided all Americans with many forms of entertainment. Millions of Americans have experienced the brilliance of Constantine Brumidi, an Italian immigrant, who was the artistic prodigy behind the elaborate paintings in the United States Capitol. Other Italian Americans have enriched our political process, including political figures such as Fiorella La Guardia, both mayor and Congressman from New York City, Anthony Celebrezze, who served during John F. Kennedy's Administration and was the first Italian American Cabinet Member, and Antonin Scalia, who is the first Italian American appointed to the Supreme Court. I invite every Member to join me in celebrating the tremendous impact Italian Americans have made to our nation and our national identity. Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 347. The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________