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A resolution recognizing October as Italian-American Heritage Month and celebrating the contributions and achievements of Italian Americans.
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WHEREAS, over 26 million Americans of Italian descent currently reside in the US - making up America’s seventh largest ethnic group; and
WHEREAS, Italian-American Heritage Month celebrates the distinguished cultural contributions of Americans with Italian lineage; the heritage month is in October; and
WHEREAS, Italian explorers were at the forefront of European expansion into the Americas. Even America’s name is Italian inspired. Amerigo Vespucci, who explored the east coast of South America between 1499 and 1502, is the source of the name “America”; and
WHEREAS, in 1805, Thomas Jefferson recruited a group of musicians from Sicily to form a military band, later to become the nucleus of the U.S. Marine Band; and
WHEREAS, to assist Italian immigrants in the U.S., Pope Leo XIII dispatched a contingent of priests and nuns in the late 1800s. Among them was Sister Francesca Cabrini, who founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, Geraldine Ferraro broke the gender barrier in U.S politics by being the first woman on a major party ticket; running for vice president alongside the presidential candidate Walter Mondale; and
WHEREAS, President Clinton signed the Wartime Violation of Italian-American Civil Liberties Act in 2000. This led to an official apology for the civil liberty violations Italian-Americans endured during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Italian-American Heritage Month is a celebration of food, music, culture, people and history past and present. It is therefore fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County enthusiastically join the event of the Italian-American Heritage Month and acknowledge the contributions to the building of this country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the month of October 2021 as Italian-American Heritage Month in Nashville and Davidson County to honor the accomplishments of Italian-Americans and their decedents whose significant contributions help make America’s history.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.