[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2283-2284]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING GUISEPPE GARIBALDI

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the American 
dream and honoring those who have not only embodied a pioneering 
spirit, but more specifically, one individual who inspired two nations 
through his passionate leadership, and through his dedication to family 
and pride in tradition.

[[Page 2284]]

  Italian-American Guiseppe Garibaldi lived and fought for the dream of 
creating his own destiny. All too often today we give little thought to 
the freedom of deciding who we are, to deciding what we want to be even 
how and where we raise a family and practice our faith. However, 150 
years ago, these decisions meant the world to Mr. Garibaldi.
  Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in Nice, Italy, on July 4, 1807. In his 
early twenties, Mr. Garibaldi continued his family's coastal trade 
business and answered a call of duty to enlist in the military. At the 
age of 25, Garibaldi's budding leadership was recognized and he was 
commissioned as a merchant marine captain.
  Throughout Central and South America, he fought in independence 
struggles leading the Italian Legion. His success earned him the title 
``Hero of Two Worlds'' from the people of Italy and Uruguay. Garibaldi 
continued to foster his passionate beliefs and soon after leaving South 
America began learning English and applied for citizenship in America. 
His request was granted and Garibaldi settled in New York among other 
notable Italian minds of the time. Not only did he become a community 
leader for Italian Americans living in Staten Island, he encouraged 
fellow immigrants to work hard for their dreams and to create true 
communities with their neighbors, while still embracing family and 
traditions from Italy.
  After his time living in the United States, Garibaldi was called upon 
again to be a military leader. He led the troops at Risorgimento that 
fought to unite a divided Italy and succeeded in their mission in 1861. 
This man's great works and leadership helped shift Italy from a 
dynastic tyranny to a time of political self-determination.
  Because of this extraordinary accomplishment, President Abraham 
Lincoln offered Garibaldi a position as Major General of the Union 
Army. Although Garibaldi declined the impressive commission, the 39th 
New York Infantry was still known afterward as ``The Garibaldi 
Guard''--where Italian-Americans fought alongside fellow soldiers to 
protect the America they loved.
  Giuseppe Garibaldi was not just a soldier though. He was a husband, 
father and an active free mason who believed that people should unite 
as brothers within a nation and as a global community. He encouraged 
fellow immigrants to persevere through hope and hard work and to be 
proud of their Italian roots.
  As an Italian American, I am proud of my heritage and this is why 
yesterday I introduced a bill today to posthumously award the 
Congressional Gold Medal to Giuseppe Garibaldi for his life's passions 
and accomplishments. My bill also commemorates the 150th anniversary of 
the Republic of Italy, which will be celebrated across Italy and the 
United States on March 17, 2011. Thank you to Congressman Michael Grimm 
of New York who is introducing the bill in the U.S. House of 
Representatives. It is my hope that this legislation will challenge us 
all to pause and reflect on the pioneering spirit, family and 
traditions that have made this great country what it is today.

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