Senate Resolution No. 2124
BY: Senator GRIFFO
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 2026 as Italian-American Heritage Month in
the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize occasions which foster ethnic
pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens
the fabric of the communities of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long- standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2026 as
Italian-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, More than 26 million Americans of Italian descent currently
reside in the United States, making them the fifth-largest ethnic group
in the Nation; this month-long celebration recognizes the many
contributions and achievements of Italian Americans, as well as their
enduring impact on countless facets of our shared experiences, including
in the arts, humanities, and sciences; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Italian-American Heritage Month was first
celebrated by a special proclamation of both the United States Congress
and former President George H.W. Bush; and
WHEREAS, In 1880, Italians began migrating to the United States to
flee rural poverty in southern Italy and Sicily; October is the
designated month of recognition as it coincides with Columbus Day, the
national holiday named after famed explorer, Christopher Columbus, which
is celebrated on the second Monday of October annually; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1900s, thousands of Italian immigrants came to
the United States in search of a better life like many other immigrant
groups; approximately 5,500,000 Italians immigrated to the United States
between 1820 and 2004; the greatest influx of migration took place
between 1880 and 1920 when more than 4,000,000 Italians came to America;
and
WHEREAS, The largest influx of Italian immigrants arrived when coal
mining companies were recruiting thousands of men to work the deep mines
of West Virginia; Italian immigrants also found work on railroads and
farms; it was typical of the men to migrate to America first,
subsequently sending for their wives and children after they had saved
enough money; and
WHEREAS, By the second half of the century, Italian Americans
excelled in every career field, inclusive of law, medicine, teaching,
and the arts; religion and family have also remained important facets of
Italian-American heritage throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Italians across the country take time to
celebrate their heritage, history, and culture with festivals and
parades; the largest parade occurs in New York City on Columbus Day,
attracting more than 35,000 marchers; and
WHEREAS, In the new millennium, more Italian Americans are
rediscovering their roots, returning to Italy to seek out a relative,
baptismal records, or a myriad of other familial references; and
WHEREAS, Italian-American Heritage Month celebrates centuries of
Italy's culture and the Italian peoples' glorious historical past, the
wealth of their present, and the opportunities of their future; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious month provides an opportunity to celebrate
the significant contributions of Italian Americans so all people may
know and appreciate Italian history and traditions, as well as the role
Italian Americans have played, and will continue to play, in our
society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2026 as
Italian-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
