Our continent was explored and major cities founded by the sons of ItalyVigo--the Tonti brothers--Beltrami. Our scientific power grows from the same source that gave the world the genius of Galileo and Fermi. Our Nation was built by the brains and muscles of the countless Italian immigrants who enriched us with their energy and vision. Whenever we have been threatened. our enemies have felt the force of their commitment to freedom for wherever there are Americans dead on foreign soil there are among them Italian names high on the list of valor. And we are a better land for the fruits of other Italian explorationsexplorations into the inner world of music. sculpture. painting. architecture and all that makes our world more alive and colorful. In short. our history would be far different and our national life far less rich if it were not for the Italians and their descendents who grace our shores. We are here tonight to do honor to a man in public life who does great honor to us. The son of Italian immigrant parents. this distinguished gentleman has himself been. and continues to be. a bridge of understanding between the immigrant and the native American. By his life he has made us all understand a little better not only what those of Italian extraction are capable of performing. but the immeasurable value of their contributions to America. This gentleman has given 22 years of dedicated work to the public service of our Nation.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigrants