[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 42 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Pages 1375-1376]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Columbus Day Celebration

October 13, 2003

    Thank you all. Please be seated. Grazie, Antonio. [Laughter] Thank 
you all for coming. I'm honored to join you in observing Columbus Day 
and to celebrate Columbus Day in the District named after Christopher 
Columbus.
    The journey of the explorer from Genoa is one of the great stories 
of daring and discovery. And the journey of millions of immigrants from 
Italy is also a story of discovery and bravery, and that journey has 
enriched our country. That's really what we're celebrating today. 
America is a stronger and finer nation because of the influence of 
Italian Americans.
    The veterans of America are better off as a result of the influence 
of Tony Principi, the Secretary--[applause]. He's really done a good 
job, and I'm proud of his commitment and service to our country as a 
Cabinet Secretary. I value his advice. I love his spirit. I'm also happy 
to report that, like me, he married well. [Laughter] And Liz is with us 
today, as is Captain Tony Principi, a captain in our Air Force who is 
celebrating his 30th birthday today. So happy birthday.
    Members of my team are here. I want to thank them for coming--Roy 
Bernardi, who is the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development at HUD, and I'm glad Alice is with you. Thanks for coming, 
Roy. You're doing a great job--former mayor of Syracuse, I want you to 
know. Pat Harrison is with us, Assistant Secretary of State for 
Education and Cultural Affairs. Dana Gioia, who is the Chairman of the 
National Endowment of Arts and is doing a great job. Thank you for 
coming, Dana. I appreciate it.
    As you know, one of the things our Nation is doing right now is 
we're leading the fight against AIDS, particularly on the continent of 
Africa. One of the generals in the fight against AIDS is Tony Fauci from 
the National Institutes of Health. Thank you for coming. That would be 
Dr. Tony Fauci, a great man.
    We've got Members of Congress with us today. First of all, the 
Senator from the great State of Wyoming, Mike Enzi. Thank you for 
coming, Senator. And Ginny Brown-Waite, from the--Congresswoman from 
Florida. Ginny Brown, thank you for coming, and I'm glad you brought 
Harvey along too. Thanks for coming, Harvey.
    Stefano Stefanini, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of 
Italy, thank you for coming, sir. Give my best to my friend Silvio 
Berlusconi, who I'm close to, and I value his leadership and friendship, 
always such a joy to see him. So please pass on my very best.
    Frank Guarini is here, who is the Chairman of the National Italian 
American Foundation, former Member from the great State of New Jersey. 
Frank, thank you for coming. Phil Piccigallo is with us, the national 
executive director of the Order of Sons of Italy is with us. Thank you 
for coming, Phil. Frank Caperino, the National President of UNICO 
National, is with us today. And thank you all for coming. Thanks for 
being here.
    For nearly 70 years, our country has celebrated in honor of 
Columbus. And on this day, we celebrate the contributions of Italian 
Americans. You're among the many millions who claim Italian heritage, 
and you can claim that heritage with pride. And I know you do. 
[Laughter] I know you do.
    Every aspect of our culture, whether it be art or music to law and 
politics, owes something to the influence of Italian Americans. You can 
take special pride in the deep tradition of service to this country. 
People of Italian descent oftentimes hear the call to serve something 
greater than themselves. Twenty-four Italian Americans have won the 
Congressional Medal of Honor. That's high service to something greater 
than yourself.
    One of them was Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. You may have 
heard of this brave man. He died in the battle of Iwo Jima. He won both 
the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. It speaks to his valor and his 
service, but he wasn't alone. There's thousands who have sacrificed and 
served a country they love. Sure, they love their heritage, but most of 
all they love America and what America stands for.
    Rocky Versace is an Italian American. He won the Medal of Honor in 
Vietnam because of the defiance he showed after being taken captive by 
the Viet Cong. I met his family

[[Page 1376]]

last summer when I awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumously. Rocky 
set an example of bravery and dedication that changed the lives of his 
fellow soldiers but most of all honored the country he loves. He was of 
Italian descent, proud of his heritage, but most of all, he loved 
America. He loved what we stood for and was willing to sacrifice for it.
    And that's what's happening today. People are willing to sacrifice 
for the country they love. They remember the lessons of September the 
11th, 2001. And so do I. It's something we should never forget, 
especially the lessons of those who sacrificed, for lives lost.
    Peter Ganci, you may have heard of Peter. He was the fire chief of 
New York City. He died at the World Trade Center when he went into the--
into the destruction to save men and women. Fifty people--50 of his men 
were rescued before the second tower fell. The chief was in there urging 
them to flee for their safety. He ordered all out of the area. He 
refused to go. And his statement was, ``I'm not leaving my men.'' One 
brave guy who embodies the best of the sons and daughters of Italy.
    The faith of the Italian-American community in God is an important 
part of our Nation's fabric. The faith in family, the love of life, and 
the commitment to our country are great gifts. Italian Americans share 
those gifts generously. And that is why we celebrate Columbus Day.
    And for the contribution the Italian Americans have made to America, 
I say: Thank you; we are grateful. But most of all, I ask God's 
blessings, not only of those of Italian descent but I ask God's 
blessings for all of us who are fortunate enough to live in the United 
States of America.
    May God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 10:32 a.m. in Room 450 in the Dwight D. 
Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to 
Elizabeth Ann Principi, wife of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. 
Principi, and their son, Capt. Anthony Principi, Jr., USAF; Alice 
Bernardi, wife of Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
for Community Planning and Development Roy A. Bernardi; Anthony S. 
Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, 
National Institutes of Health; Harvey Waite, husband of Representative 
Virginia Brown-Waite; and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.