[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1107]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA PADRE 
                            PIO LODGE #2350

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2015

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Sons of 
Italy in America Padre Pio Lodge #2350, located in West Orange, New 
Jersey as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
  The Sons of Italy in America, a Fraternal Organization created on 
June 22, 1905 by six Italian immigrants living in Little Italy, began 
as an organization seeking to establish homes and shelters for the 
elderly, life insurance and mortuary funds, and scholarship funds. The 
founding members of the Sons of Italy in America sought to form a 
support system for Italian immigrants, offering these people assistance 
in becoming American citizens and provide educational opportunities in 
assimilation into American culture. The organization continues this 
rich tradition through its various lodges across the country, including 
the Padre Pio Lodge #2350, located in West Orange.
  Since 1975, the Sons of Italy in America Padre Pio Lodge #2350, has 
promoted Italian traditions and heritage in Essex County. The Padre Pio 
Lodge functions as an important aspect of society, especially through 
its partnership with multiple charities. The Padre Pio Lodge avidly 
supports the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund, Cooley's Anemia 
Foundation, Alzheimer Association, Alicia Rose Teen Age Cancer 
Foundation, Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism, and Arthritis 
Foundation. The Lodge also assists two local food banks, donates toys 
and school supplies to schools and churches during the Christmas 
season, and supports our troops through Operation Shoebox.
  The Padre Pio Lodge continues the Sons of Italy in America tradition 
of awarding students with scholarship opportunities. The Lodge holds 
education to be of utmost importance, and seeks to offer a helping hand 
to students in the area. In 2014 alone, Padre Pio Lodge gave 
scholarships to eleven qualified high school seniors.
  This year, the Lodge announced that it would honor Sam Fumosa, a 
Charter member and Past State President of the Sons of Italy in 
America, with the Paul Ippolito Memorial Award. Sam participated in the 
Garibaldi-Meucci Museum on Staten Island and the Commission for Social 
Justice of OSIA. The Padre Pio Lodge will also honor Rosalind Aquino 
with the Angela DeNuzio Award for service to the Lodge and Anthony 
Benevento with the Michael D'Aries Award for dedication to the Lodge. 
Both Rosalind and Anthony worked tirelessly to ensure that the Lodge 
remained open during times of low membership. Because of their efforts, 
the Lodge now includes 125 members, with more joining every day.
  To celebrate 40 successful years of promoting Italian heritage and 
supporting the local community, the Lodge will host a Carnevale 
celebration on Saturday, February 7th, 2015 at Hanover Manor, located 
at 16 Eagle Rock Avenue, East Hanover, New Jersey. Carnevale, a 
traditional Italian celebration dating back to the year 1268 A.D., 
includes music, food, and dance. The Lodge's Carnevale on February 7th 
will surely be a celebration not worth missing.
  I commend the members of the Sons of Italy in America Padre Pio 
Lodge, especially committee chair, Dawn Giambattista, for their 
dedication to promoting the rich legacy of Italian heritage in America. 
The Lodge has consistently demonstrated a dedication and commitment to 
advancing the community of West Orange.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Sons of Italy in America, Padre Pio Lodge #2350 as it celebrates 
its 40th Anniversary.