His love for art was no greater than his love of liberty and his love for this Nation. which led him to seek citizenship 2 years after his arrival here. His exceptional gift for art. which is evident today in the corridors of the Senate wing of the Capitol. the formal offices of the President and Vice President. the Senate reception room. and the present House and Senate Appropriations Committee rooms. earned him the tribute of the name. "The Michelangelo of the Capitol of the United States." His career ended tragically after a fall from a scaffolding during work on the fresco frieze encircling the top of the rotunda of the Capitol. Constantino Brumidi was one of the thousands of immigrants who came to our country from Italy. as we honor him on September 18. we honor the many others of Italian descent who have played such a vital role in the development of our country and who have enabled our Nation to attain the level of freedom and prosperity we enjoy today. Having agreed to honor this distinguished ItalianAmerican. I now hope that my colleagues will also join with the gentleman from New York and those of us who have cosponsored House Joint Resolution 568. proclaiming October 12 through October 19. 1980. as "ItalianAmerican Heritage Week." The ItalianAmerican community deserves our thanks and tribute. and I am hopeful that the Congress will see fit to honor the contributions this group has made by adopting House Joint Resolution 568. establishing "ItalianAmerican Heritage Week." House Joint Resolution 568 pays tribute to the fact that the gifts of outstanding Italian Americans. their contributions to our heritage. their commitment to liberty. to freedom. and to our country have enriched not only our history but our present lives.
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immigrants