1Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Order
2Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge Pennsylvania, and
3congratulating it on its dedication to the preservation of
4the Italian culture, tradition, history and heritage.

5WHEREAS, The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is the
6largest and oldest national organization of men and women who
7represent the estimated 26 million Americans of Italian
8heritage; and

9WHEREAS, The missions of OSIA include:

10(1) encouraging the study of Italian language and
11culture in American schools and universities;

12(2) preserving Italian-American traditions, culture,
13history and heritage; and

14(3) promoting closer cultural relations between the
15United States and Italy

16; and

17WHEREAS, During its early years, the OSIA established free

1schools to teach immigrants English and centers to help them
2become citizens of the United States; and

3WHEREAS, The first lodges of the order established
4orphanages, homes for the elderly, life insurance and mortuary
5funds, credit unions, welfare societies and scholarship funds to
6aid members in need; and

7WHEREAS, The OSIA maintains 19 grand lodges nationally that
8are governed by a Grand Council elected by the state or regional
9membership; and

10WHEREAS, On April 27, 1913, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
11was the third State Lodge chartered by OSIA; and

12WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania eventually grew to
13become the largest State Lodge with more than 470 local lodges
14and 50 junior lodges; and

15WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has more than 120
16OSIA lodges throughout this Commonwealth today that meet
17regularly for social and community-oriented activities; and

18WHEREAS, The OSIA working with its Grand Lodges established
19the Sons of Italy Foundation, a private, philanthropic
20institution established in 1959 which to date has donated nearly
21$117,000,000 to scholarships, medical research, cultural
22preservation, disaster relief and other causes; therefore be it

23RESOLVED, That the Senate commemorate the 100th anniversary
24of the founding of the Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand
25Lodge Pennsylvania, and congratulate it on its dedication to the
26preservation of the Italian culture, tradition, history and
27heritage.