THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very
much. I'm glad I invited you. (Laughter.) Thank
you all for coming. Laura and I are delighted to have you
here to celebrate Columbus Day. Since 1934, when Franklin
Roosevelt first proclaimed the national holiday, our entire nation has
observed Columbus Day to mark that moment when the Old World met the
New. We honor the man from Genoa and the vision that carried
him throughout his ten-week voyage. And we recognize -- as
well we recognize the unique contributions that people of Italian
descent have made here in our country for more than five centuries.
Italian-Americans were among the many
public servants last month who gave extraordinary service in an hour of
dire emergency. Some are with us today. The Fire
Department of Arlington, Virginia was first on the scene after the
attack on the Pentagon. And we're so honored to have
Battalion Chief, Jim Bonzano with us today. (Applause.)
We have representatives of the New York
Police and Fire Departments with us, representatives of people who
showed incredible bravery and sacrifice and
determination. Please welcome Joe Esposito and Chief Dan
Nigro. (Applause.)
Chief Nigro is the successor of Peter
Ganci, Jr., whom I had the privilege of meeting two years
ago. Chief Ganci gave his life at the World Trade Center and
was laid to rest on September the 15th. We're so delighted
today to have heroes here representing the Ganci family: his
wife, his two sons and his daughters. Welcome, and thank you
for being here. (Applause.)
I can't remember if it was Chris or Peter
III who looked out at the South Lawn and said, God, I wish Dad were
here. He could hit a three wood right over the
fence. (Laughter.) I said, it might make him
nervous; he might shank it into the
water. (Laughter.) He said, no, you don't know my
Dad.
I want to thank the Sons of Italy who have
joined us today, as well as the leadership of the National Italian
American Foundation and UNICO National who are here as
well. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)
Ambassador Salleo from Italy; we're so
glad you're here, and thank you for bringing your wife with you as
well. I just got off the phone call with your Prime
Minister, Prime Minister Berlusconi, who is a good friend of mine and a
good friend of America's. He sends his best, by the way.
Welcome. (Applause.)
I want to thank the members of Congress
who are here. Thank you all for coming. And I
also am so pleased that the first Italian-American to serve on our
Supreme Court, has agreed to join us as well. Justice
Scalia, thank you for being here, sir. (Applause.)
I'm proud to have a number of
Italian-Americans in my administration. A member of my Cabinet
unfortunately is not here, but I can assure you he's doing a great job,
and that's Tony Principi. So Proud of Tony's service to the
veterans of our country. He's doing a really outstanding
job.
As you know, that sometimes we have to do
battle on Capitol Hill. I try to avoid those battles, but
occasionally, it has to happen. And, therefore, I picked an
Italian-American to lead that battle for the White
House. (Laughter.) Nick Calio. Where
are you, Nick? (Applause.) There you
are. I know Congresswoman Pelosi is saying, all you've got
to do is do it the way she tells you to, and things will be
fine. (Applause.) I'm also honored that
Gian-Carlo Peressutti of my staff has put this event
together. And I want to thank Gian-Carlo as well for his
hard work. (Applause.)
Our White House has been -- has welcomed
many entertainers before. And today, we have the honor of welcoming a
lady who you all know well, whose mom had entertained at the White
House years ago. She entertained the
Kennedys. And today, after I sign the proclamation, Liza
Minnelli has agreed to entertain us in this beautiful room in this
beautiful house of the people.
I was in New York last
week. Like all Americans, I am amazed at what a great job
the New York City folks are doing. The spirit of New York.
The willingness for people to pull together and to help a neighbor in
need. And I'm most impressed by the character of the leadership
there. Two people of Italian heritage, I might
add: The Governor -- (laughter) -- and Mayor Rudy
Giuliani. (Applause.)
The evil ones thought they were going to
hurt us, and they did, to a certain extent. But what they
really did was, they enabled the world to see the true character and
compassion and spirit of our country. And no finer example
of that than New York City.
This Columbus Day should be one of deep
pride for all Americans -- all Americans -- especially those for
Italian descent. From the very beginning of our country, the
sons and daughters of Italy have brought honor to themselves and have
enriched our national life. In the beauty of this Capital
City we see the hand of Italian immigrants who spent more than 10 years
carving the great seated figure in the Lincoln Memorial, who adorned
the National Cathedral with statues, and who graced the dome and
corridors of the Capitol building with magnificent art.
Our freedom itself was gained with the
help of three Italian regiments that crossed the Atlantic to fight in
the Revolutionary War. Our Declaration of Independence bears
the signatures of two Italian-Americans. In later struggle, dozens of
Italian-Americans would receive the Medal of Honor. And
today, when Americans pay tribute to the Greatest Generation, we have
in mind people like Captain Don Gentile, the fighting ace whom General
Eisenhower described as a "one-man air force."
Take any field of endeavor -- any
achievement of this country -- and Italian-Americans are part of
it. For generation after generation, the success of our
country has drawn heavily from the industry and resourcefulness of
Italian immigrants and their families. The same can be said
for the values that make us great nation. The millions who
came here brought with them a distinct strength of character, faith in
God, devotion to family, and love of life.
This summer I visited Genoa, where, 550
years ago, Christopher Columbus was born. All around that
vibrant, modern city are glimpses of the ancient civilization that
still inspires the world's admiration, and always will. In
so many ways, that culture has added to our own -- first on three small
ships, then on many more. It is our good fortune to be an
immigrant nation -- to be the keepers of traditions and gifts that have
come to us from great nations like Italy.
More than 15 million Americans claim
Italian heritage. And all Americans have reason to be
grateful, because we would be poorer without it. I now have
the singular honor of signing the official document proclaiming October
8th, 2001 as Columbus Day in the United States of
America. (Applause.)