108 STAT. 1670 PUBLIC LAW 103-309—AUG. 23, 1994 Public Law 103-809 103d Congress Joint Resolution Aug. 23, 1994 [H.J. Res. 175] j Designating October 1994 as "Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month". Whereas Italians and Italian-Americans have contributed to the United States in all aspects of life, including art, science, civil service, military service, athletics, tJucation, law, and politics; Whereas Italian-Americans make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States; Whereas in recognition of the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, recognized as one of the greatest explorers in world history and the first to record the discovery of the Americas, a national observance day was established in October of every year; Whereas the phrase in the Declaration of Independence "All men are created equal", was suggested by the Italian patriot and immigrant Philip Mazzei; Whereas the people of the United States take great pride in the accomplishments of the many outstanding men and women of Italian descent who have enriched our Nation's history such as Fiorello La Guardia, the beloved Mayor of New York City, and Enrico Fermi, who won the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics; Whereas Italy enjoys a rich cultural heritage and has given the world the great works of Dante, the breathtaking art of Giotti and Michelangelo, and the inspirational music of Antonio Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti; Whereas the Americas were named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci; Whereas Giuseppe Verdi, one of the world's most renowned opera composers, was born October 10, 1813; Whereas William Paca, an Italian-American, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; and Whereas during October 1993 and October 1994 special attention will be directed at National, State, and local programs that promote Italian heritage and culture: Now, therefore, be it
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