ASILM Speaking notes December 3, 2010 Dear President, Ambassadors, dear Members of the Association, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Decorati, I am deeply honored to be here with you tonight. The awards and recognitions bestowed upon you by the President of the Italian Republic are a direct testimony of Italy s deep appreciation for your unremitting efforts; I would like to renew to all of you the cordial greetings and regards of President Giorgio Napolitano. This year we celebrate, under his Auspices, the 150 th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy. During his visit to 1
Washington last May, the President underlined the extraordinary role that Italian culture and language now, more than ever, play in ensuring continued vitality and strength to the relationship between our Countries. Our affinities are embedded in history, in the quintessential values of the Risorgimento, and can be traced back to the principles of Freedom and of the Dignity of Man. No other periods of Italian and American history have as much in common as the decades leading, on the Italian side, to the Risorgimento and, on the American side, to the end of the Civil War. The principles of Man s freedom and dignity were 2
pivotal in leading the Italian people to Unity. In America, they led President Lincoln to aspire to a Union where all men were equal, thus implementing the promise held in the Declaration of Independence. Abraham Lincoln and Giuseppe Garibaldi are historical giants who verily embody that enormous struggle for Freedom. Let me therefore remember an episode in their wellknown relationship, recently recalled by Prof. Eric Foner who, in his work, The Fiery Trial, notes: the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln produced expressions of gratitude from across Europe but none surpassed 3
the message from the Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi. Indeed, thus wrote Garibaldi to the American President in 1863: Heir of the thought of Christ and [John] Brown, you will pass down to posterity under the name of the Emancipator! [..] An entire race of mankind yoked by selfishness to the collar of Slavery is, by you, at the price of the noblest blood of America, restored to the dignity of Manhood, to Civilization, and to Love. In Professor Foner s own words: no American in the debates of 1861 and 1862 had linked emancipation with the restoration of Love it took an Italian to do so. 4
During his visit to Washington, President Napolitano underlined the ethical and cultural values which guided Italians in the path towards Unification: first and foremost, the Italian language as a foundation of our national identity. Every Decorato can be a partner in our collective effort to ensure that the Italian language continues to be spread, studied and enhanced: we could not better celebrate the 150 th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy. And indeed your association was the first, among many, to answer the call for action which ultimately led to reinstating APP. 5
When I mentioned this objective last year, on this very occasion, I did not conceal that many around us were skeptical. Thanks to your efforts, thanks to the extraordinary spirit of partnership displayed by all the Italian-American organizations involved in this endeavor, we are now in a very different position. You, ASILM members who wear your awards so proudly, and the many friends who have taken this cause to heart, have shown how promoting the Italian language can translate into a stirring will-power able to attain the political and financial objectives necessary to reach our goal. 6
The step we have taken is but the first in a long path: not a thousand, but tens of thousands of students must be bent on learning Italian within this decade. Italian, the language not only of Art, Culture and Music, but of Science, Law and European philosophy, must return to being part of the cultural renaissance that America, as Europe, is seeking for the benefit of our next generations. We have great potential suffice it to mention the 27,000 American students who go to Italy each year to study and we must exploit it to the full. 7
The world of the 21 st Century is increasingly open to diversity, and pluralism will acquire more clout in international affairs. At the same time it is precisely this diversity that should prompt us to retain our values and our language, more strongly than ever before, in order to reinforce Euro-Atlantic identity. Italy s vision of security is solidly centered on our friendship with the US. Indeed, Italian foreign policy is fully consistent with American objectives on all the most crucial aspects of current international affairs. 8
In the most challenging situations such as Afghanistan Washington looks at Italy as a reference model. Just a few days ago, at the Lisbon Summit, President Obama said: when countries like Italy are willing to come in and step up on the trainers that s a testament to the confidence they have in General Petraeus s plans, and the fact that we are much more unified and clear about how we re going to achieve our ultimate end state in Afghanistan. This evening marks an important and special moment in the history of our association. Dominic Massaro is appointed as the new Chairman of the Board. I am sure, as you are, that in 9
his new capacity he will continue to instill in our association those strong ideals which distinguish the history and culture of Italians in the United States. In a sense, Dominic was ASILM for all these years, and certainly gave ASILM unique momentum. The association has grown, both in its importance and image; from a pathway to Italy, it has become a great eight-lane bridge, a veritable Golden Bridge between our two Countries. Throughout his long career in the United States, ASILM s new President, Lucio Caputo, has written important pages on the relations between Italy and the United States. 10
A strong thank-you to Dominic, and my warmest wishes of success to both him and Lucio in their mission to make ASILM an increasingly important point of reference for us all. The person I am now about to invite to the podium is not only a veritable pillar of our community, and an example of success and exceptional generosity: let me mention his magnanimous donation of one million dollars, last year, for the acquisition of a building on the Tiber for the benefit of the John Cabot University, and his contribution of 250 thousand dollars towards the AP in Italian campaign. 11
I would like to invite The Honorable Frank Guarini to the podium. The President of the Republic, motu proprio, has chosen to confer to the Hon. Guarini the title of Cavaliere di Gran Croce dell Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana [Knight of the Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Italian Republic] for the following reasons: A leading figure in the community of Italian origin in the United States, Frank J. Guarini has distinguished himself for the importance of the roles he has covered at a parliamentary level, in several Administrations and for his notable positions in a vast array of important Associations. 12
An eminent past in higher education goes hand-in-hand with other distinctive achievements. In his twelve year tenure as Chairman and President of the National Italian American Foundation, he brought to success countless projects: promoting Italian culture, history and traditions; supporting youth programs; endorsing economic and legal conferences, thus strengthening the friendship between Italy and the United States. 13
His work for John Cabot University, Dartmouth College, Saint Peter s College and the New York University - Casa Italiana Zerilli- Marimò was selfless and unremitting. His exceptional dedication, matched only by his personal generosity, have led him to fight many crucial battles - alongside Italian institutions and many other Italian-American organizations - to protect and enhance the Italian language and culture, especially in the American education system. 14