Suozzi Bipartisan Resolution Celebrates “Italian and Italian-American Heritage Month”
Washington, DC—Congressman Tom Suozzi (D—Nassau, Queens), a first-generation Italian American, has co-sponsored and introduced a resolution declaring October 2025 as "Italian and Italian-American Heritage Month."
The bipartisan resolution, led alongside Reps. DeLauro (D-CT), Rulli (R-OH), and Amodei (R-NV), "salutes the Italian and Italian-American community and exhibits appreciation for their culture and their heritage that have immeasurably enriched the lives of the people of this nation and the world."
"My father, the late Joseph A. Suozzi, was born in Italy, in Ruvo del Monte, near the City of Potenza, in the Basilicata region. My paternal grandfather, Michele Suozzi, had immigrated to America first, followed by my grandmother Rosa Ciampa Suozzi, with my father, who was about four years old at the time." said Suozzi.
Joseph Suozzi attended school in Glen Cove and Oyster Bay. He entered military service with the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He became a B-24 navigator and completed 35 bombing missions, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three Clusters. He went to Harvard Law School on the GI bill, going on to be a lawyer, a City Court Judge, mayor of my hometown, and a New York State Supreme Court Justice.
"My father's life embodied the classic American Dream. The dream he and my grandfather often discussed had become a reality for the Suozzi family," Suozzi proudly stated.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution honoring the histories and contributions of the nearly 20 million Italian American citizens of the United States during Italian American Heritage month,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Italian Americans are an integral part of our nation’s diverse cultural makeup. Growing up in Wooster Square—the heart of New Haven’s Italian American community—I learned the value of hard work, faith, family, responsibility, and community. These values were present everywhere in our neighborhood, from the religious societies to our own kitchen table. I will never forget these values, which drive me every day. This resolution also commits to further strengthening U.S.-Italy relations and growing this crucial and beneficial alliance for both countries.”
“Today we celebrate Italian American Heritage Month, a time to honor the countless contributions of Italian Americans to our nation’s history, culture, and communities,” said Congressman Michael Rulli. “For my family, that story began with Nicola and Frank Rulli, who left Calabria to pursue the American Dream. Their journey, built on resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit, reflects the path of so many Italian immigrants. From working long hours in steel mills and on local farms to opening the first Rulli Bros. Market in 1917, they embodied hard work, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to family and community. Their example is one thread in the rich fabric of Italian American history, a legacy that continues to strengthen our country generation after generation. This month we honor that legacy and the millions of Italian Americans whose stories, like theirs, are woven into the American story."
"As the co-chair of the Congressional Italian American Caucus and a proud Italian American myself, I am honored to lead the effort to observe October as Italian and Italian-American Heritage Month," said Congressman Mark Amodei. "I hold great pride in my heritage and appreciate my colleagues' support in recognizing this month as a time to celebrate the rich culture and invaluable contributions that my ancestors brought to the United States."
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