LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge No. 321, Order Sons of Italy in America

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions 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 Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge No. 321, Order Sons
of Italy in America; and
WHEREAS, The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) encourages the
maintenance of Italian culture and language, as well as the assimilation
into American social and political life; it has sponsored a wide variety
of programs in furtherance of its mission, as well as countless Italian
heritage events; and
WHEREAS, This vital organization was established in New York City on
June 22, 1905, by Vincenzo Sellara, M.D., and a small group of other
professionals; for more than a century, the Order Sons of Italy and its
many local Lodges have been of service to the Italian American community
throughout New York State and the Nation; and
WHEREAS, In 1915, in the City of Schenectady, there were three Sons of
Italy Lodges: the Gabriele D'Annunzio, Oltre Oceano and the Pieta
D'Amore; on March 21, 1920, the Gabriel D'Annunzio and Oltre Oceano
lodges merged and its charter of incorporation became the Gabriele
D'Annunzio Lodge No. 321; and
WHEREAS, The subscribers to this original lodge charter were Carmine
LaMaida, Leopold Mancuso, and Albino Ruscitti, along with 14 other
members; and
WHEREAS, During its humble beginnings, lodge meetings were held at
numerous locations throughout the City including Redmon's Hall on Ferry
Street and the Marconi Center on Park Place; 415 Liberty Street became
its singular meeting place in 1948, and was officially purchased on
October 13, 1956; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 1965, a proposed plan for the expansion of
Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge was approved and passed to meet the growing
membership; the grand opening celebration of Columbus Hall took place on
February 25-26, 1967, with a ribbon cutting ceremony; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, the membership of the Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge
elected its first woman President, Frances White, who served two terms;
and
WHEREAS, The building at 415 Liberty Street was sold in October of
2006, and its present location on Hamburg Street in the Town of Rotter-
dam was purchased in March of the following year; and
WHEREAS, Today, after 100 years of invaluable service to its communi-
ty, the Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge continues to support countless local
and state charities including, Cooley's Anemia Foundation, Alzheimer's
Foundation, Coaches vs. Cancer, Arthritis Foundation, Gift of Sight,
America's Vet Dogs Program, Boys & Girls Town, Breast Cancer Foundation,
Disaster Relief Fund and the National Bone Marrow Registry, as well as
numerous local scholarships; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeav-
ors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge No.
321, Order Sons of Italy in America; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Gabriele D'Annunzio Lodge No. 321, Order Sons of Italy in
America.