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President
Commemorates Columbus Day
Remarks
by the President on Columbus Day
Room 450
Eisenhower
Executive Office Building
October 13, 2003
10:32 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT:
Thank you, all, please be seated. Grazie, Antonio. (Laughter
and applause.) Thank you all for coming. I'm honored to
join you in observing Columbus Day and to celebrate Columbus
Day in the District named after Christopher Columbus.
The journey of the explorer from Genoa is one of the great
stories of daring and discovery. And the journey of millions
of immigrants from Italy is also a story of discovery
and bravery, and that journey has enriched our country,
that's really what we're celebrating today. America is
a stronger and finer nation because of the influence of
Italian Americans. (Applause.)
The veterans of America are better off as a result of
the influence of Tony Principi, the Secretary -- (applause).
He's really done a good job and I'm proud of his commitment
and service to our country as a Cabinet Secretary. I value
his advice, I love his spirit. I'm also happy to report
that, like me, he married well. (Laughter.) And Liz is
with us today -- as is Captain Tony Principi, a Captain
in our Air Force who is celebrating his 30th birthday
today, so happy birthday. (Applause.)
Members of my team are here, I want to thank them for
coming. Roy Bernardi, who is the Assistant Secretary for
Community Planning and Development at HUD, and I'm glad
Alice is with you. Thanks for coming, Roy, you're doing
a great job. (Applause.) Former Mayor of Syracuse, I want
you to know. (Applause.) Pat Harrison is with us, Assistant
Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs.
(Applause.) Dana Gioia, who is the Chairman of the National
Endowment of Arts and is doing a great job, thank you
for coming, Dana, I appreciate it.
As you know, one of the things our nation is doing right
now is we're leading the fight against AIDS, particularly
on the continent of Africa. One of the generals in the
fight against AIDS is Tony Fauci, from the National Institutes
of Health. Thank you for coming. (Applause.) That would
be Dr. Tony Fauci, a great man.
We've got members of Congress with us today. First of
all, the Senator from the great state of Wyoming, Mike
Enzi. Thank you for coming, Senator. (Applause.) And Ginny
Brown-Waite, from the -- Congresswoman from Florida. Ginny
Brown, thank you for coming. (Applause.) And I'm glad
you brought Harvey along, too. Thanks for coming, Harvey.
Stefano Stefanini, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy
of Italy, thank you for coming, sir. (Applause.) Give
my best to my friend, Silvio Berlusconi, who I'm close
to and I value his leadership and friendship, always such
a joy to see him. So please pass on my very best.
Frank Guarini is here, who is the Chairman of the National
Italian American Foundation, former member from the great
state of New Jersey. Frank, thank you for coming. (Applause.)
Phil Piccigallo is with us, the National Executive Director
of the Order of Sons of Italy is with us. Thank you for
coming, Phil. (Applause.) Frank Caperino, the National
President of UNICO National is with us today. (Applause.)
And thank you all for coming, thanks for being here.
For nearly 70 years, our country has celebrated in honor
of Columbus. And on this day, we celebrate the contributions
of Italian Americans. You're among the many millions who
claim Italian heritage, and you can claim that heritage
with pride. And I know you do. (Laughter.) I know you
do.
Every aspect of our culture, whether it be art or music,
to law and politics, owes something to the influence of
Italian Americans. You can take special pride in the deep
tradition of service to this country. People of Italian
descent oftentimes hear the call to serve something greater
than themselves. Twenty-four Italian Americans have won
the Congressional Medal of Honor, that's high service
to something greater than yourself.
One of them was Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone.
You may have heard of this brave man. He died in the battle
of Iwo Jima. He won both the Medal of Honor and the Navy
Cross. It speaks to his valor and his service. But he
wasn't alone, there's thousands who have sacrificed and
served a country they love. Sure, they love their heritage,
but most of all they love America and what America stands
for. (Applause.)
Rocky Versace is an Italian American. He won the Medal
of Honor in Vietnam because of the defiance he showed
after being taken captive by the Viet Cong.
I met his family last summer when I awarded him the Medal
of Honor posthumously. Rocky set an example of bravery
and dedication that changed the lives of his fellow soldiers,
but most of all, honored the country he loves. He was
of Italian descent, proud of his heritage, but most of
all, he loved America. He loved what we stood for and
was willing to sacrifice for it.
And that's what's happening today. People are willing
to sacrifice for the country they love. They remember
the lessons of September the 11th, 2001. And so do I.
It's something we should never forget.
Especially the lessons of those who sacrificed for lives
lost. Peter Ganci, you may have heard of Peter. He was
the Fire Chief of New York City. He died at the World
Trade Center when he went into the -- into the destruction
to save men and women. Fifty people -- fifty of his men
were rescued before the second tower fell. The Chief was
in there urging them to flee for their safety. He ordered
all out of the area. He refused to go. And his statement
was, "I'm not leaving my men." One brave guy
who embodies the best of the sons and daughters of Italy.
The faith of the Italian-American community in God is
an important part of our nation's fabric. The faith in
family, the love of life and the commitment to our country
are great gifts. Italian Americans share those gifts generously.
And that is why we celebrate Columbus Day.
And for the contribution the Italian Americans have made
to America, I say, thank you, we are grateful. But most
of all, I ask God's blessings, not only of those of Italian
descent, but ask God's blessings for all of us who are
fortunate enough to live in the United States of America.
May God bless you all. (Applause.)
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