LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Unifi-
cation of Italy

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, representing the
people of the State of New York, to join with Italians everywhere in
honoring the consummate courage, sacrifice, and vision of the patriots
who gave birth to the Italian Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy; to observe this
auspicious event, the major celebration will be held June 2, 2011,
Republic Day; and
WHEREAS, Numerous other events have been planned including a Concert
in Commemoration of the Unification of Italy, sponsored by the Italian
Americans for Community Affairs together with INAS/USA/CISL on Wednes-
day, April 20, 2011, at P. S. 193, Whitestone, New York; the concert
will include singers and dancers from Italy; and
WHEREAS, In conjunction with this significant milestone in Italian
history, this Legislative Body is pleased to honor the joint efforts of
Americans and Italians in fostering freedom, democracy, and our shared
values throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, While Italian unification was a process that took decades,
the country dates its founding back to 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy
was proclaimed; Italy became a Republic in 1946, immediately after World
War II; and
WHEREAS, At a time when the United States of America was fighting for
the preservation of its own Union, Giuseppe Garibaldi's campaign for the
unification of Italy inspired many around the world in their own strug-
gles, including the 39th New York Infantry, also known as "The Garibaldi
Guard"; and
WHEREAS, Italy and the United States are bound by friendship and
common dedication to civil liberties, democratic principles, and the
universal human rights our countries both respect and uphold; and
WHEREAS, Today, the legacy of Garibaldi and all those who unified
Italy lives on in the millions of American women and men of Italian
descent who strengthen and enrich our great Empire State and our Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Italian Americans for Community Affairs.