Senate Resolution No. 2575

BY: Senator THOMAS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Order
Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Loggia Glen
Cove Lodge No. 1016

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body, in keeping
with its time-honored traditions, to recognize those individuals and
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America,
Loggia Glen Cove Lodge No.1016; and

WHEREAS, The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America is the
oldest and largest organization of Italian men and women in North
America; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization is dedicated to preserving its rich
Italian heritage and culture, promoting liberty and freedom regardless
of race, gender or creed, eliminating bias and bigotry directed toward
Italian Americans, and serving its community through philanthropic
endeavors; and

WHEREAS, The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Lodge No.
1016 is located in the City of Glen Cove, New York, and was the first
lodge in the Long Island region; and

WHEREAS, Between 1880 and 1920, four and a half million Italians
entered the United States, contributing to the growth and vitality of
our "Nation of Immigrants"; prior to 1880, the majority of immigrants
entering the United States had come from northern and western Europe;
and

WHEREAS, During this time, the Order Sons of Italy in America was
formed by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro with the assistance of Giuseppe Carlino,
Ludovico Ferrari, Antonio Marzullo, Robert Merlo and Pietro Viscardi in
1905; the national site of the Supreme Lodge was in Manhattan until the
mid-1950s when it was then moved to Philadelphia, before moving to its
current location in Washington, DC in 1981; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Glen Cove was a small
city surrounded by large wealthy estates which populated Long Island's
Gold Coast, and skilled Italian workers moved to the area to work on the
construction and maintenance of these estates; many of the Italians who
first settled in Glen Cove came from an area east of Naples, in the
Italian province of Avellino, and in particular, the City of Sturno; and

WHEREAS, Angelo Cocchiolo and his family were among that group,
arriving in 1899 after receiving favorable correspondence from friends
and relatives who had already established themselves in the area; and

WHEREAS, Two decades after arriving, the Cocchiolo family opened a
landmark restaurant in the Orchard section of Glen Cove called Stango's;
the restaurant was next to the Orchard House which was the center of the
Italian community prior to the Second World War and served as a
residence for new Italian immigrants as well as a place for social
gatherings and community meetings; and

WHEREAS, By 1920, the Italian community in Glen Cove had reached a
sizable population, and on April 10, 1920, Long Island's first OSIA
lodge, Loggia Glen Cove, was formed in the City of Glen Cove by Giuseppe
A. Nigro, an immigrant from Sturno; and

WHEREAS, Joining Giuseppe were ten other Italian-Americans: Charles
Anzalone, Carmine Caggiano, Vincent Gambino, Angelo Genova, Antonio
Grazioso, Domenick Izzo, Arcangelo Macedonia, Pasquale Nigro, Giuseppe
Sanfratello and Giuseppe Trimarchi; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, instrumental to the establishment of the lodge
was Carmine Cacchiola who was also active in the New York State Grand
Lodge and was the OSIA National Deputy for the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, The ceremony to officially open the Loggia Glen Cove Lodge
No. 1016 was held in the Orchard House and was attended by the Italian
ambassador, the Mayor of Glen Cove and other dignitaries; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the members of OSIA Lodge No. 1016 have
been a catalyst in the formation of other lodges on Long Island, and a
number of the region's lodges trace their roots back to Glen Cove; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Loggia Glen Cove Lodge No. 1016 has
welcomed women into its ranks, many of whom have held and continue to
hold leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, Today, Loggia Glen Cove Lodge No. 1016 continues its proud
tradition of contributing to the community, fighting Italian defamation
and preserving Italian culture and tradition, while the vitality of the
lodge is sustained by members new and old representing different
generations of Italian-Americans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Order Sons and Daughters of
Italy in America, Loggia Glen Cove Lodge No. 1016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Loggia
Glen Cove Lodge No. 1016.