Res. No. 1565 Title Resolution recognizing the month of October, 2000 as "Italian Heritage and Culture Month" in the City of New York and acknowledging the tremendous contributions that Italian-Americans have made to this City and nation. Body By The Speaker (Council Member Vallone) also Council Members Dear, Malave-Dilan, Henry, Koslowitz, Lopez, Marshall, Michels, Nelson, Rivera, Robles, Abel and Stabile; also Council Members DiBrienza, Eisland, Espada, Fisher, Foster, Harrison, Lasher, Leffler, Miller, O'Donovan and Povman Whereas, from its very foundations in the ancient world, throught he Renaissance and up to the present day, the accomplishments of the Italian civilization continue to amaze in their magnitude, importance, breadth, and continuing impact on the modern world; and Whereas, In the year 2000, Italy and its people continue to make their inimitable presence felt around the world in commerce, culture and a myriad of other arenas of human endeavor; and Whereas, The Italian people, over the course of their long history, have spread to every corner of the globe, bringing with them their unique culture and traditions, and that New York City has been especially blessed with a vibrant and robust Italian community; and Whereas, Italian-Americans are intrinsic to the history and contemporary life of New York City, having contributed to the development of the City before there even was such a city; but particularly in the past century, when Italian immigrants passed through Ellis Island, their achievements have been vast and constant; and Whereas, New York's political lineage alone would indicate the breadth and depth of influence Italian-Americans have had on this City, but to end there would only tell a small part of this fascinating story; local commerce, Wall Street, law enforcement, education, medicine, philanthropy, law, social services, music, literature, entertainment, and the fine arts are just some of the fields in which Italian-Americans have made enormous inroads; and Whereas, According to the Calandra Institute, in 1910 there were approximately 340,000 Italian-born residents in New York City and that by 1940, that the number had climbed to one million, which at the time rivaled the total population of Rome; and Whereas. New York City was the choice destination for the majority of Italian immigrants and throughout the century, they carved out enclaves in all five boroughs, whether it was Mulberry Street in Manhattan, Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, or the many neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island; and Whereas, Today we can walk around the boroughs in awe of the buildings, bridges, and tunnels that Italian-Americans helped to build and the dizzying number of fine restaurants and shops that Italian families have run for generations; and Whereas, We feel the presence of Italy in our everyday lives and now, as we reflect, in the year 2000, on the monumental achievements of Italy throughout its long history, we should be reminded of the many people who helped create the monumental achievements of New York City as well; this month, we pay homage and tribute to one of our oldest communities, the Italian-American community, and look back at the history of a people-our people, our city; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes the month of October, 2000 as "Italian Heritage and Culture Month" in the City of New York, and acknowledges the tremendous contributions that Italian-Americans have made to this City and nation.