The Italic Institute, along with CARRES, a coalition of Italian American Organizations, along with others, is fighting "Shark Tale", a poisonous movie.

They deserve your assistance to save your children and grandchildren from being despised for their Italian Heritage by their school mates, which has been the case on so many occasions because of the Sopranos."SharkTale" hits WAY below the belt!!

I particularly admire Italic Institute's articulated Nine Point Strategy!

Please CALL!!!! or FAX YOUR Italian American Representative!!!!!!!! List Below.

If we succumb to indifference, our kids deserve the mistreatment that is inevitable!
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SHARK TALE:  A Progress Report #2
30 January 2004
By John Mancini,
Chairman, Italic Institute of America

Background: In September of 2003, the Italic Institute's Midwest representative, Bill Dal Cerro, discovered that Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks production company was working on a new full length children's animation called Sharkslayer (Now titled Shark Tale).

Internet promotions made it clear that this movie was about an undersea mafia of Italian sharks and octopi.  It was to be GoodFellas & The Sopranos meet Nemo.

As the Italic Institute is the custodian of the Aurora Education Program, overseeing the after school education of hundreds of pre-teens each year, we immediately contacted DreamWorks for an explanation.  When no response was forthcoming, the Institute issued a media press release and alerted all Italian American organizations.

The Institute has developed a nine part strategy to convince DreamWorks to de-Italianize Shark Tale: letter writing campaign, media publicity, political action, internet barrage, Italian American consensus, appeal to actors, child rearing professionals, distinguished Italian Americans committee, and moral suasion.  Visit our website at italic.org under NEWS FLASH.

We are also part of a newly formed multi-ethnic coalition (National Coalition Against Racial, Religious and Ethnic Stereotyping, CARRES) that is appealing to Steven Spielberg's sense of fair play.  Notwithstanding, the Italic Institute is preparing stronger measures that include political action.

Since last October, we have been lobbying the U.S. Congress to find Italian American legislators who have a commitment to our children.

As of this week, only one member of Congress has come forth to oppose DreamWorks, New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell.  (It should be noted that politicians rarely respond to anyone outside their election district.  In Pascrell's case, a timely call from New Jersey constituent Manny Alfano of One Voice, hastened Mr. Pascrell's commitment.  The following congressional representatives with Italian surnames have been alerted by the Italic Institute about Shark Tale multiple times, by mail, fax and phone, but have not responded.  If they represent you, please help us get their attention.

Name                  Washington Tel &  Fax    District Office Tel

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM)       202.224.6621 / 202.228.0900 505.346.6791 Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY)       202.224.3424 / 202.228.0359 307.682.6268
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)       202.224.6324 / 202.228.0604 412.562.0533
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA)    202.225.5111 / 202.225.9322       617.621.6208
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)       202.225.6416 / 202.225.6416 541.465.6732
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)       202.225.3661 / 202.225.4890 203.562.3718
Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY)       202.225.3371 / 202.226.1272 718.356.8400
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)       202.225.6572 / 202.225.3318 609.625.5008
Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL)       202.225.5676 / 202.225.5284 815.394.1231
Rep. John Mica *(R-FL)             202.225.4035 / 202.226.0821 407.657.8080
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)    202.225.5256 / 202.225.0027 562.801.2134
Rep. James Oberstar *(D-MN)     202.225.6211 / 202.225.0699 218.727.7474
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)      202.225.4671 / 202.225.9665       732.571.1140
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)       202.225.4965 / 202.225.8259 415.556.4862
Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH)       202.225.3876 / 202.225.3059 330.489.4414
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ)             202.225.2315 / 202.226.9739 928.537.2800
Rep. Thomas Tancredo (R-CO)    202.225.7882 / 202.226.4623 720.283.9772
Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH)       202.225.5355 / 202.226.4523 614.523.2555
*Co-Chairmen of the Italian American Caucus

This campaign will decide whether Italian Americans can protect their children from media propaganda.    The stakes are the highest they have ever been. ****