Pascrell, Amodei Lead Push to Proclaim October as Italian-American Heritage Month

Co-chairs of Congressional Italian-American Delegation call on Congress to designate month in celebration of Italian culture

PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Mark E. Amodei (R-NV-02), co-chairs of the Congressional Italian-American Delegation, introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to establish October as Italian and Italian-American Heritage Month. The resolution is cosponsored by Italian-American Delegation Members Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-9), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3), Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY-22), and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC-5).

“Italian-Americans are an integral part of our nation’s diverse cultural makeup. Establishing a month in recognition of our people’s successes honors the enormous contributions the Italian and Italian-American people have made to this country and the world throughout our history. That includes the generals, admirals, doctors, philosophers, statesmen, musicians, athletes, and Nobel laureates who have made the United States the great nation that it is today,” said Rep. Pascrell, a descendent of Italian immigrants. “With this month being especially significant for Italian-Americans, I am proud to introduce this resolution with my co-chair Rep. Amodei and strongly urge my colleagues to support its passage.”

“As an Italian-American, I have always been extremely proud of my heritage and equally proud of the significant contributions my ancestors have made to our country,” said Rep. Amodei. “Designating October as our national heritage month allows Italian-Americans to celebrate and pay tribute to the meaningful accomplishments made by our forebears, and I’m proud to join my fellow co-chair Rep. Bill Pascrell in this effort. I will continue supporting measures that highlight all that binds our countries together culturally, commercially, and strategically.”

“As a proud Italian-American and member of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, I am pleased to join this bipartisan resolution introduced by my colleagues Rep. Pascrell and Rep. Amodei recognizing the month of October as Italian American Heritage Month,” said Rep. DeLauro. “Italian Americans have made enormous contributions to our country and the Italian American heritage of New Haven and the third congressional district is incredibly strong. I’m pleased to join this important resolution recognizing the achievements of Italian Americans and celebrates the rich heritage so many Americans cherish.”

“On behalf of the National Italian American Foundation, we support and thank the Italian American Congressional Delegation Co-chairs Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Mark Amodei for their efforts to recognize the month of October as Italian American Heritage Month,” said NIAF Chairman Patricia de Stacy Harrison. “Since its first celebration in 1989, Italian American Heritage Month has been a source of pride for the Italian American community and a special opportunity to celebrate the Italian explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus, and honor Italian and Italian Americans who have made significant contributions to our civil society throughout the history of our country. We cannot fully appreciate the significance of the present without recognizing the discoveries, successes, sacrifices, values, and cultural contributions from Americans of Italian descent that have enriched our lives.”

A champion of promoting the contributions and successes of Italian-Americans, Rep. Pascrell has led efforts in the Congress to establish October in honor of Italian heritage. In addition to his position as co-chair of the Italian-American Delegation, he also serves as a legislative branch liaison to the Republic of Italy.

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