Senate Resolution 386 Printer's Number 2001

PENNSYLVANIA, October 2 - contributed to the history of the Americas for centuries,

significant Italian immigration to the United States did not

begin until the 19th century; and

WHEREAS, Challenging social and economic conditions in Italy,

including high unemployment, oppressive taxation, poverty,

natural disasters, disease and famine, prompted many Italians to

seek greater opportunity and quality of life abroad; and

WHEREAS, While educated Italian professionals also emigrated,

many Italian immigrants arrived with limited education or

specialized training but went on to fuel America's industrial

growth by providing labor for factories, mines and the

construction of roads, dams, tunnels and bridges; and

WHEREAS, As Italian Americans established communities in the

nation's major cities, they often faced religious and ethnic

discrimination, including acts of violence; and

WHEREAS, During this period, Italian Americans embraced

Christopher Columbus as a symbol of Italian heritage, honoring

his life and accomplishments as an expression of cultural pride

and a means of affirming their place in their new homeland; and

WHEREAS, In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued

Proclamation 335, commemorating the 400th anniversary of

Columbus's arrival in the Americas and recognizing him as a

"pioneer of progress and enlightenment"; and

WHEREAS, In 1905, the Order Sons of Italy in America was

formed, with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to follow in 1913,

laying the foundation for organizations dedicated to preserving

Italian-American heritage and culture; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt

established the tradition of issuing an annual presidential

proclamation recognizing October 12 as Columbus Day; and

20260SR0386PN2001 - 2 -

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