Bill Text: NY K00206 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the charter of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 18-9)
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-25 - adopted [K00206 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-K00206-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 206 BY: M. of A. Raia COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the charter of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211, and paying tribute to this year's honorees WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize those individuals and organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Charter of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a Gala Dinner Dance held at the Lodge on Saturday, April 6, 2019; and WHEREAS, This year's honorees include: Steven Bellone, Suffolk County Executive; Anthony Bianco, Past President, Lodge Director; Robert J. Cava, Attorney, Lodge Orator; Lucy F. Codella, Grand Lodge Historian; William Lamont, Past President, Lodge Director; Robert J. Savino, Past President, Suffolk County Poet Laureate 2015-2017; and Joseph A. Vallone, Lodge District Deputy; and WHEREAS, The Order Sons of Italy in America was established in New York City on June 22, 1905, by Vincenzo Sellaro, M.D., and a small group of other professionals; for over a century, the Order Sons of Italy and its many local lodges have been of service to the Italian American community throughout New York State and the Nation; and WHEREAS, Located on Route 231 in Deer Park, New York, the Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211 is comprised of Italian American men and women who are proud of their heritage; its community activities show a deep respect and regard for Italian heritage and culture, while concentrating on the richness of life in America; and WHEREAS, In 1968, armed with a strong compulsion to further aid and abet the causes of the Italian-American, Mario Mesisco gathered some friends, including John and Mary De Francesco of the Enrico Fardella Lodge of the Bronx, New York, for the sole purpose of establishing a lodge within the framework of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America; and WHEREAS, After a great deal of research and discussion, the group named the lodge after Constantino Brumidi, the "Michaelangelo of the U.S. Capitol"; the Grand Lodge approved the Charter on February 28, 1969, and Mario Mesisco was chosen to be Venerable; and WHEREAS, The Constantino Brumidi Lodge quickly became very popular and a building was needed to house its growing membership; during the late 1960s to the late 1970s, the Lodge met in motels, rooms of various organizations, and cafeterias; and WHEREAS, For the next several years, members used the building next to the Mangano Funeral Home as its Lodge Headquarters; the members then rented and renovated a building on Brook Avenue, Deer Park, where they held activities for four years; and WHEREAS, Eventually the Constantino Brumidi Lodge purchased property on Deer Park Avenue and a building was constructed as a lasting tribute to the men and women who performed with courage, strength and determination; and WHEREAS, The Constantino Brumidi Lodge became a great place for its members and neighbors to meet and socialize; today, the Lodge hosts numerous activities such as Italian feasts, dances, and Bingo, Las Vegas, and Night at the Races games; and provides scholarships for members' children, health and welfare programs for members, and a blood bank for its community; and WHEREAS, In addition, the Constantino Brumidi Lodge has made contributions to various worthy organizations including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, St. Francis Hospital Heart Fund, North Babylon Scholarship Fund, Deer Park Fire Department, Deer Park Scholarship Fund, Bishop's Annual Appeal, Birth Defects, Cleary School for the Deaf, Cooley's Anemia, Boy's Town of Italy, and Garibaldi's Meucci Museum, as well as Commission for Social Justice; and WHEREAS, One of the Lodge's greatest achievements was to help brother and veteran Tony Casamento fight for the much deserved Congressional Medal of Honor, an award he so richly deserved; after 35 years, he finally received the prestigious award on September 12, 1980; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of President Carmine E. Soldano, the success of the Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211 is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the charter of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211 of Deer Park, New York, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned honorees, and Carmine E. Soldano, President, Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211.