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Support Needed for Bill "NJ Commission on Italian-American Culture & Education
Dr. Emanual Alfano, founder of IAOV, (Italian American One Voice) is requesting Emails (or phone calls) to the two Prime Sponsors of the "New Jersey Commission on Italian and Americans of Italian Heritage Culture and Education", giving them thanks, encouragement, and support for this bill which will be introduced in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate next week.
Support from individuals, your relatives, paesani, and organizations whether or not from New Jersey. You can make a difference!!!
Assembly Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano
Assemblyman, District 36
71 Union Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070201-933-0533
201-933-4044 fax
asmdigaetano@njleg.state.nj.usSenate Assistant Majority Leader Anthony Bucco
Senator, District 25
60 Broadway, Suite 21
Denville, NJ 07834973-627-9700
973-627-0131 faxFor those in I-As in New Jersey a similar message to:
Governor Donald DiFrancesco
Barbara Lazzaro, Director of Inner Governmental Affairs - 609-777-0350
125 West State Street, P.O. Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625609-292-6000
609-292-3454 faxOf particular interest to all Italian American Scholars, and those who are strong proponents of the promotion of Italian Studies Programs, and as anticipated, and previously advised, this is a report of the ACTUAL introduction of the Legislation.
In the political world, a legislator often first makes the ANNOUNCEMENT of their intention to introduce a bill, and THEN determines what the reaction of their colleagues are, and how many co authors they can recruit. If the response is positive enough, they proceed with the INTRODUCTION.
In other cases, if the response is tepid, but they are willing to try to arouse sufficient voter "grass root" support, they will proceed anyway.
In either case, support to DiGaetano Bill's is critical. Consider joining his team. Yes, you will be solicited for contributions, and if you can, that would be appropriate. If it isn't within your budget, you can be helpful in other ways.
DIGAETANO INTRODUCES MEASURE ESTABLISHING ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMISSION
Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano today introduced legislation that would create the New Jersey Commission on Italian and Americans of Italian Heritage, Culture and Education. The bill, A-3693, would appropriate $350,000 for the new 21-member commission.
The commission would advise public and private schools on the incorporation of Italian-American culture and social contributions into the curriculum. A comprehensive guide would be made available to educators detailing Italian-American heritage exhibits and resources throughout the state.
The commission also would compile a roster of individual volunteers willing to share their knowledge and experiences in classrooms, as well as through seminars and workshops. The volunteers would represent vast segments of the Italian-American population.
"More than 5.4 million Italians emigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1991," said DiGaetano, R-Essex, Bergen, Passaic. "Today, more than 2 million citizens of New Jersey are of Italian descent, representing nearly one-quarter of our population.
"Italian-Americans have made invaluable contributions to New Jersey," DiGaetano said. "From industry to the arts, Italian-American influence is evident.
"Hollywood and the media are very quick to apply negative stereotypes to Italian-Americans, but do very little to portray the culture in a positive light," said DiGaetano. "As a proud Italian-American myself, I find this trend very disheartening and troublesome."
"If children receive all their information about Italian-Americans through television, the culture will eventually be considered nothing more than an entire people consisting of buffoons and mobsters," added DiGaetano. "It's unfair, and this preconceived notion couldn't be further from the truth.
"My bill would help correct negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans," DiGaetano said. "By presenting students with true, factual information regarding the Italian-American culture and its heritage, we hope to erase the negative image projected by the entertainment industry and the media."
Join the Paul DiGaetano E-Team!
Visit us at Paul DiGaetano 2001
pauldigaetano2001.comJoin, contribute and tell your friends. Your help is needed today!
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