    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 8, 2001]
    [Pages 1204-1206]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Columbus Day Proclamation
    October 8, 2001

        Thank you very much. I'm glad I invited you. [Laughter] Thank you
    all for coming. Laura and I are delighted to have you here to celebrate
    Columbus Day. Since 1934, when Franklin Roosevelt first proclaimed the
    national holiday, our entire Nation has observed Columbus Day to mark
    that moment when the Old World met the New. We honor the man from Genoa
    and the vision that carried him throughout his 10-week voyage. And we
    recognize--as well, we recognize the unique contributions that people of
    Italian descent have made here in our country for more than five
    centuries.
        Italian Americans were among the many public servants last month who
    gave extraordinary service in an hour of dire emergency. Some are with
    us today. The fire

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    department of Arlington, Virginia, was first on the scene after the
    attack on the Pentagon. And we're so honored to have Battalion Chief Jim
    Bonzano with us today.
        We have representatives of the New York Police and Fire Departments
    with us, representatives of people who showed incredible bravery and
    sacrifice and determination. Please welcome Joe Esposito and Chief Dan Nigro.
        Chief Nigro is the successor of Peter
    Ganci, Jr., whom I had the privilege of meeting 2 years ago. Chief Ganci
    gave his life at the World Trade Center and was laid to rest on
    September the 15th. We're so delighted today to have heroes here
    representing the Ganci family, his wife, his
    two sons, and
    his daughters. Welcome, and thank you for
    being here. I can't remember if it was Chris or Peter III who
    looked out at the South Lawn and said, ``God, I wish Dad were here. He
    could hit a three wood right over the fence.'' [Laughter] I said, ``It
    might make him nervous; he might shank it into the water.'' [Laughter]
    He said, ``No, you don't know my dad.''
        I want to thank the Sons of Italy who have joined us today, as well
    as the leadership of the National Italian American Foundation and UNICO
    National who are here, as well. Thank you all for coming.
        Ambassador Salleo from Italy, we're so
    glad you're here, and thank you for bringing your wife with you as well. I just got off the phone call with
    your Prime Minister, Prime Minister Berlusconi, who is a good friend of mine and a good friend of
    America's. He sends his best, by the way. Welcome.
        I want to thank the Members of Congress who are here. Thank you all
    for coming. And I also am so pleased that the first Italian American to
    serve on our Supreme Court has agreed to join us as well. Justice
    Scalia, thank you for being here, sir.
        I'm proud to have a number of Italian Americans in my
    administration. A member of my Cabinet unfortunately is not here, but I
    can assure you he's doing a great job, and that's Tony Principi--so proud of Tony's service to the veterans of
    our country. He's doing a really outstanding job.
        As you know, that sometimes we have to do battle on Capitol Hill. I
    try to avoid those battles, but occasionally it has to happen. And
    therefore, I picked an Italian American to lead that battle for the
    White House--[laughter]--Nick Calio. Where are
    you, Nick? There you are. I know Congresswoman Pelosi is saying, all you've got to do is do it the way she
    tells you to, and things will be fine. [Laughter] I'm also honored that
    Gian-Carlo Peressutti of my staff has
    put this event together, and I want to thank Gian-Carlo as well for his
    hard work.
        Our White House has been--has welcomed many entertainers before. And
    today we have the honor of welcoming a lady who you all know well, whose
    mom had entertained at the White House years ago. She entertained the
    Kennedys. And today, after I sign the proclamation, Liza
    Minnelli has agreed to entertain us in this
    beautiful room in this beautiful house of the people.
        I was in New York last week. Like all Americans, I am amazed at what
    a great job the New York City folks are doing, the spirit of New York,
    the willingness for people to pull together and to help a neighbor in
    need. And I'm most impressed by the character of the leadership there,
    two people of Italian heritage, I might add, the Governor--[laughter]--and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
        The evil ones thought they were going to hurt us, and they did to a
    certain extent. But what they really did was, they enabled the world to
    see the true character and compassion and spirit of our country, and no
    finer example than that in New York City.
        This Columbus Day should be one of deep pride for all Americans--all
    Americans--especially those for Italian descent. From the very beginning
    of our country, the sons and daughters of Italy have

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    brought honor to themselves and have enriched our national life. In the
    beauty of this Capital City, we see the hand of Italian immigrants who
    spent more than 10 years carving the great seated figure in the Lincoln
    Memorial, who adorned the National Cathedral with statues, and who
    graced the dome and corridors of the Capitol building with magnificent
    art.
        Our freedom itself was gained with the help of three Italian
    regiments that crossed the Atlantic to fight in the Revolutionary War.
    Our Declaration of Independence bears the signature of two Italian
    Americans. In later struggle, dozens of Italian Americans would receive
    the Medal of Honor. And today, when Americans pay tribute to ``The
    Greatest Generation,'' we have in mind people like Captain Don Gentile,
    the fighting ace who General Eisenhower described as a ``one-man air
    force.''
        Take any field of endeavor, any achievement of this country, and
    Italian Americans are part of it. For generation after generation, the
    success of our country has drawn heavily from the industry and
    resourcefulness of Italian immigrants and their families. The same can
    be said for the values that make us a great nation. The millions who
    came here brought with them a distinct strength of character, faith in
    God, devotion to family, and love of life.
        This summer I visited Genoa, where 550 years ago Christopher
    Columbus was born. All around that vibrant, modern city are glimpses of
    the ancient civilization that still inspires the world's admiration and
    always will. In so many ways, that culture has added to our own, first
    on three small ships, then on many more. It is our good fortune to be an
    immigrant nation, to be the keepers of traditions and gifts that have
    come to us from great nations like Italy. More than 15 million Americans
    claim Italian heritage. And all Americans have reason to be grateful,
    because we would be poorer without it.
        I now have the singular honor of signing the official document
    proclaiming October 8th, 2001, as Columbus Day in the United States of
    America.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:09 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to James Bonzano, battalion chief,
    Arlington County Fire Department; Joseph J. Esposito, chief, New York
    City Police Department; Daniel A. Nigro, chief, Fire Department-City of
    New York; Kathleen Ganci, widow of New York City Fire Department Chief
    Peter Ganci, Jr., and their children, Christopher, Peter III, and
    Danielle; Italian Ambassador to the United States Fernando Salleo and
    his wife, Anna Maria; Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy; Gov.
    George E. Pataki of New York; and Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York
    City. The proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.