October has become “Italian and Italian-American Heritage Month,” thanks to a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Nassau, Queens). The H. Res. 1524, co-sponsored by Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV02), “salutes the Italian and Italian-American community and exhibits appreciation for their culture and their heritage that have immeasurably enriched the lives of the people of this nation and the world.” It also honors Italian and Italian-American generals, admirals, doctors, philosophers, statesmen, musicians, athletes and Nobel laureates who have made US history.
The House resolution states that “the strength and success of the United States, the vitality of our communities, and the effectiveness of our American society depend, in great measure, upon the distinctive and sterling qualities demonstrated by people of diverse races, heritages, and ethnicities, exemplified by members of the Italian and Italian-American community, who share with us their rich and unique heritage.”
With this resolution, Congressman Suozzi paid tribute to his family. “My father’s life embodied the classic American Dream. The dream he and my grandfather often discussed had become a reality for the Suozzi family,” Suozzi proudly stated. Before the Chamber, Suozzi mentioned that his father was born in Italy, in Ruvo del Monte, Basilicata, but moved to America when he was about four years old with his entire family. Growing up, he then entered politics, becoming first Glen Cove City Court Judge at the age of 28–the youngest ever according to the New York Times–then as mayor and finally to the Appellate Division of the N.Y. State Supreme Court.
Congressman Suozzi has recently been named one of the inaugural honorees of the Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island. He will be recognized at the Long Island Italian Celebration on October 21 at Larkfield Manor in East Northport, NY. And he attended an event at the Columbus Citizen Foundation to engage Italian American Democratic voters in New York State.
