history, it was not until the 1820s that Italian immigrants
began moving to the United States in sizable numbers; and
WHEREAS, As Italian Americans began settling in major cities
across the United States, they often faced religious and ethnic
discrimination which occasionally led to brutal violence; and
WHEREAS, For this reason, Italian Americans started
celebrating the life and accomplishments of Christopher Columbus
as a way for citizens of Italian descent to be accepted by the
mainstream; and
WHEREAS, In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed
Columbus Day as a national holiday; and
WHEREAS, We credit Christopher Columbus with Italian
immigration to the New World and what is now Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Currently, there are more than 17 million Americans
of Italian heritage in the United States, and more than 1.4
million Americans of Italian heritage reside in Pennsylvania;
and
WHEREAS, More impressive, Allegheny County has the highest
Italian-American population in the State and is in the top 10 in
the country, with more than 194,000 people, according to United
States Census figures from 2000; and
WHEREAS, The Italian-Americans have become one of this
Commonwealth's most influential ethnic groups with deep roots in
religion, politics, the arts, science, law and economic and
social institutions to preserve their heritage; and
WHEREAS, While the first Italians to settle in Pittsburgh may
have faced discrimination, Italian cuisine was embraced
enthusiastically; and
WHEREAS, A Pittsburgh staple, a Primanti Brothers' sandwich,
which is a concoction of meats, cole slaw and french fries
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