SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER AS "ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE MONTH" IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO
WHEREAS, October is recognized as" Italian American Heritage and Culture Month", an annual celebration to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants to this great city; and
WHEREAS, "Italian American Heritage and Culture Month" was first celebrated in October, 1989 after then President George H. W. Bush and the Congress of the United States declared it so to celebrate centuries of contributions made by Italian Americans to this great city and country; and
WHEREAS, Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also issued proclamations in 1993 and 2010 declaring October as "Italian American Heritage and Culture Month;" and
WHEREAS, Italians began their great migration to America in the 1870s, and they brought with them a strong work ethic and close knit families, working hard at whatever menial job helped them to support their families and to acclimate to their new home; and
WHEREAS, As detailed in the New York Times article "How Italians Became 'White"' by Brent Staples, Italian Americans faced discrimination, persecution, and sometimes even death until the mid-20'h century.
WHEREAS, Italian Americans overcame hostility and prejudice to better their lot in life, working as blue collar workers: merchants, cooks, vendors, barbers and in many other jobs, flourishing and becoming an integral part of our society; and
WHEREAS, Italians migrated to Chicago's neighborhoods of Little Italy, Taylor Street and the Heart of Italy, located at 24"' and Oakley, enriching this city with their culture, fruit markets, bakeries, pasta shops and restaurants, serving some of the world's finest cuisines and forever leaving their footprint on the heart of this great City; and
WHEREAS, Italian Americans have made significant contributions to this country in many fields, ranging from appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States, memberships in the Natio...
Click here for full text