Sponsored by:
Senator ANTHONY R. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris)
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Van Drew, Baroni, Ruiz, Sarlo, Weinberg, Buono and Pennacchio
SYNOPSIS
Designates month of October of every year as Italian-American History and Heritage Month.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of October of every year as Italian-American History and Heritage Month and repealing Joint Resolution No. 3, approved June 20, 1996.
Whereas, The history of America and the State of New Jersey have been significantly influenced by the rich heritage of Italy; and
Whereas, The cultural heritage of Italy includes the classical civilization of Rome, the fine arts of the Renaissance, the scientific and artistic genius of Leonardo Da Vinci, the literary works of Dante and Petrarch, the operas of Verdi and Puccini and many other contributions that have enriched civilization; and
Whereas, Over 5.4 million Italians emigrated to the United States between the years 1820 and 1991; and
Whereas, Over 1.5 million New Jerseyans or 18 percent of the State population are of Italian descent, according to the 2000 U.S. Census; and
Whereas, Italian-Americans have made many contributions to the history of the United States and New Jersey; and
Whereas, The voyages of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus brought together the civilizations of Europe and the Americas; and
Whereas, Columbus' first contact with the New World in 1492 is celebrated as a State and federal holiday every year in October; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to designate a month honoring the significant accomplishments and contributions of the Italian-American community by designating the month of October annually as Italian-American History and Heritage Month; and
Whereas, It is appropriate to encourage American history classes in this State to highlight the contributions which Italian-Americans have made throughout American history; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of October of every year is designated as Italian-American History and Heritage Month.
2. The Governor and Legislature of the State of New Jersey encourage American history classes throughout the State to discuss and examine the contributions which Italian-Americans have made to the history of this country during Italian-American History and Heritage Month and the people of this State are encouraged to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. Joint Resolution No. 3 of 1996 (C.36:2-39), approved June 20, 1996, is repealed.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of October of every year as Italian-American History and Heritage Month. Joint Resolution No. 3 of 1996, which designated the week ending on October 12 of every year as Italian-American History and Heritage Week, is repealed.