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 National Academy of Sciences, to recognition in all fields Including science, religion, the arts, education, fashion and sports; and
WHEREAS, Over 500,000 citizens of Italian descent reside in the City of Chicago and Cook County and are proud of their heritage and contributions to society as demonstrated by The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hosting an annual Italian Flag Raising Ceremony on the second Friday of October at noon in Daley Plaza in recognition of the contributions of so many Italian American people;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here in this assembly this 26th Day of May, 2021 A.D., moving forward do hereby designate the month of October in the City of Chicago as "Italian American Heritage and Culture Month" in recognition of the many contributions of Italian Americans to this great City.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans in gratitude and recognition for these many contributions to our great City.
Nicholas Sposato Alderman, 38th Ward