October is celebrated as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, honouring the historical heritage and culture of Italian-Americans. We would like to thank the Palm Beach County Commissioners, who proclaimed October Italian-American Heritage Month in 2023 and invited us to the ceremony to adopt the proclamation.
This extraordinary and generous gesture of friendship reminds us of the importance of the Italian-American community within the history and culture of the United States and of the significant contributions made by Italian immigrants and their descendants throughout this great country, particularly in the south-eastern region.
Our thoughts turn to the text of the first resolution adopted by the US Congress in 1989 to celebrate Italian-American values, as well as their cultural and historical heritage, in the United States by designating October as “Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month”:
“H.J.Res.392
One Hundred First Congress of the United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine
Joint Resolution
Designating October 1989 as ‘Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month’.
Whereas Italians and Italian-Americans have contributed to the United States in all aspects of life, including art, science, civil service, military service, athletics, and education;
Whereas Italian-Americans make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States;
Whereas, in recognition of the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, recognized as one of the greatest explorers in world history and the first to record the discovery of the Americas, a national observance day was established in October of every year;
Whereas the phrase in the Declaration of Independence, ‘All men are created equal’, was suggested by the Italian patriot and immigrant Philip Mazzei;
Whereas during October 1989 special attention will be directed at local and State programs that promote Italian heritage and culture, with special emphasis on national programs such as the Italian Heritage Center at Catholic University of America; and
Whereas during October 1989 the National Italian American Foundation will host the 14th annual dinner to honor Italians and Italian-Americans making important contributions to the development of the arts, sciences, athletics, and education in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 1989 is designated as ‘Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month’, and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate”.
On this occasion, we are honored to recall the proclamations delivered to us by Palm Beach County on the Italian National Day last year and this year.
