Benvenuti was the
word for October, Italian Heritage Month. Welcome to DC
37 members who trace their roots to Italy and welcome
to all their sister and brother trade unionists.
Benvenuti, said Italian Heritage Committee Chair Michael
DeMarco Oct. 1 as DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts cut the
ribbon that opened the festivities. An exhibit of photographs of the
old country by world traveler Anita Sanseverino almost transported
viewers from the union lobby to Italy. At the committees Eighth
Annual Dinner-Dance Oct. 18, hundreds of members were moved to dance
their feet off and mangia a colossal variety of foods.
Kicking off the month-long celebration, Ms. Roberts said DC 37 is
blessed to call many wonderful people of Italian heritage our
colleagues and friends. Their presence here infuses our union with
a unique perspective. She pointed out that the diversity of
cultures in DC 37 has allowed us to build a strong spirit of
solidarity and solidarity is our greatest strength.
Mr. DeMarco expressed deep pride in the Italian-American communitys
wealth of heritage and traditions traditions that our
forefathers brought with them from Italy and proudly passed on to
us. Today, we continue to honor those traditions, he said.
Mr. DeMarco, who is president of Traffic Employees Local 1455, thanked
the committee and Co-chair Diane Savino, vice president of Social
Service Employees Union Local 371, for their hard work in making the
heritage celebration a success.
The photographs, on display throughout October, captured the
essence of many regions of Italy, he said. They showed people,
scenery and food from rural Sicily to urban Rome and sophisticated
Venice.
Italy is my spiritual home, Ms. Sanseverino told members.
It is not enough to see it with your eyes. You must see it with
your heart.
Bill
Schleicher