Andrea Palladio is the most influential architect in history and the country he most influenced is the United States, Palladio's treatise, `The Four Books of Architecture', ranks as the most influential publication on architecture ever produced and has shaped much of the architectural image of Western civilization.

After more than two and half years of hard work the resolution honoring Italian-born architect Andrea Palladio has been passed by the U.S. Congress with the support of more than 50 Members of Congress, more than 30 organizations and one ambassador.

A.  Official Text of Palladio Resolution
B.  Official Text of Galileo Resolution
C.  List of Supporting Institutions (31)
D. .List of House of Representatives Co-sponsors (50)

* SUMMARY*

* 1. The Palladio Resolution has finally passed the U.S. Congress*
* 2. Many people and organizations need to be thanked.*
* 3. How can the resolution be made use of?*
* 4. How can more luminaries of Italian civilization be honored in the future? *
* 5. Addendum*:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*A. THE OFFICIAL TEXT OF THE PALLADIO RESOLUTION*

*-----------------------------------------------------------------*

*H**.CON.RES.259 -- Whereas 2008 was the 500th anniversary of the birth year of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio; 
(Enrolled Bill [Final as Passed  Both House and Senate] - ENR)*

Agreed to December 6, 2010

* One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of America*

 AT THE SECOND SESSION*

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the fifth day of January, two thousand and ten Concurrent Resolution

Whereas 2008 was the 500th anniversary of the birth year of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio;
Whereas Andrea Palladio was born Andrea di Pietro in Padua on November 30,1508;
Whereas Palladio, born of humble origins, apprenticed as a stonemason in his early life;

Whereas under the patronage of Count Giangiorgio Trissino (1478-1550), Palladio studied architecture, engineering, topography, and military science in his mid-twenties;

Whereas in 1540, Count Trissino renamed him `Palladio', a reference to the wisdom of Pallas Athena, as well as the Italian form of the name of the Roman writer of the fourth century, Rutilius Taurus Aemilianus Palladius;

Whereas Palladio's designs for public works, churches, mansions, and villas rank among the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Italian Renaissance;

Whereas Palladio's surviving buildings are collectively included in the UNESCO World Heritage List;

Whereas Palladio's treatise, `The Four Books of Architecture', ranks as the most influential publication on architecture ever produced and has shaped much of the architectural image of Western civilization;

Whereas `The Four Books of Architecture' has served as a primary source for classical design for many architects and builders in the United States from colonial times to the present;

Whereas Thomas Jefferson called Palladio's `The Four Books of Architecture' the `Bible' for architectural practice, and employed Palladio's principles in establishing lasting standards for public architecture in the United States and in constructing his own masterpiece, Monticello;

Whereas our Nation's most iconic buildings, including the United States Capitol Building and the White House, reflect the influence of Palladio's architecture through the Anglo-Palladian movement, which flourished in the 18th century;

Whereas Palladio's pioneering reconstruction and restoration drawings of ancient Roman temples in `The Four Books of Architecture' provided inspiration for many of the great American classical edifices of the 19th and 20th centuries, in the period known as the American Renaissance;

Whereas the American Renaissance marked the high point of the classical tradition and enriched the United States from coast to coast with countless architectural works of timeless dignity and beauty, including the John A. Wilson Building, the seat of government of the District of Columbia;

Whereas the American architectural monuments inspired both directly and indirectly by the writings, illustrations, and designs of Palladio form a proud and priceless part of our Nation's cultural heritage; and

Whereas organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, and many other entities have been celebrating this special 500-year anniversary, including the Italian National Committee for Andrea Palladio 500, the Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura Andrea Palladio, the Palladium Musicum, Inc., the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, as well as other Italian and Italian American cultural organizations, such as the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc., and the Italian Cultural Society of Washington, DC, Inc., with a wide variety of public programs, publications, symposia, proclamation ceremonies, and salutes to the genius and legacy of Palladio: Now, therefore, be it

*Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),* That Congress--
(1) recognizes the 500th anniversary of Andrea Palladio's birth year;
(2) recognizes his tremendous influence on architecture in the United States; and
(3) expresses its gratitude for the enhancement his life and career has bestowed upon the Nation's built environment.

Attest:, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:, Secretary of the Senate.
_____________________________________________________________________

*B.* *THE OFFICIAL TEXT OF THE GALILEO RESOLUTION*

---------------------------------------------------------------

HRES 1269 EH         * In the House of Representatives, U. S.,*

* May 4, 2010.*

Whereas 2009 is the 400th anniversary of the first use of the improved telescope capable of astronomical observations by its developer, the Italian Renaissance scientist Galileo Galilei;

Whereas Galileo, born in Pisa, Italy, in 1564, was educated at the University of Pisa where he became Professor of Mathematics;

Whereas he attained life tenure as Chair of Mathematics at University of Padua;

Whereas Galileo was appointed Chief Philosopher and Mathematician to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo de' Medici II, his patron;

Whereas Galileo had an integral role in the Scientific Revolution of the 17th Century due to his major contributions as a physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher;

Whereas Galileo is universally regarded as the `Father of Modern Astronomy', `Father of Modern Physics', and `Father of Modern Science';

Whereas his experiments on the laws of motion, falling bodies, and the parabolic paths of projectiles and his observations of astronomical bodies were scientific advances;

Whereas his inventions, the enhanced telescope; hydrostatic balance; geometric and military compass; thermoscope (thermometer); perfected compound microscope; pulsilogium (pulsiometer), enabled practical applications in the fields of military and civil engineering, navigation, medicine, and astronomy;

Whereas his newly designed instruments of measurement, coupled with his theory that the natural world was written in the language of mathematics, laid the groundwork for modern scientific method and research;

Whereas Galileo's use of his telescope, the central instrument of the Scientific Revolution, enabled his discovery of certain features of the
surface of the moon, the moons of Jupiter, the phases and motion of Venus, and sunspots;

Whereas these findings confirmed that the Copernican Sun Centered Solar System was plausible;

Whereas this changed human understanding of the cosmos;

Whereas Galileo published his theories and findings in several treatises, letters, and books, most importantly, Siderius Nuncius and the Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems;

Whereas Galileo's body of work enabled subsequent generations, in particular in the United States, to build on the tradition of scientific research, to be in the forefront of new scientific endeavors, specifically in medicine, technology, and space exploration, resulting in the betterment of mankind;

Whereas the United States of America has previously honored the scientist through naming a research aircraft, `Galileo', commissioned for the Eclipse Expedition in 1965, and naming one of its major interplanetary missions, the Galileo Expedition to Jupiter, launched in 1989 and ending its 14-year odyssey in 2003;

Whereas America also has built on the legacy of Galileo with NASA's most successful long-term science mission, the launch in 1990 of the Hubble Space Telescope, which contributes to our understanding of the universe;

Whereas as part of NASA's tribute to Galileo, a replica of Galileo's telescope, provided by the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza,
Florence, Italy, was carried into space by Italian American astronaut, Michael Massimino, on the May 2009 Atlantis mission to repair and update the orbiting Hubble telescope;

Whereas 2009 also marks the 40th anniversary of the moon landing by the Apollo 11 astronauts, which gave mankind first hand knowledge of the moon's surface, first observed in detail when Galileo turned his telescope to the sky in 1609;

Whereas the United Nations `The International Year of Astronomy 2009' is a global effort with over 140 countries participating, initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO, at the request of Italy, Galileo's native country; and

Whereas organizations, educational institutions, government entities, most notably in Italy, Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza and in the United States, NASA, Smithsonian Institution, Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Italian Embassy and Italian Consulates, National Italian American Foundation and Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc., are celebrating the genius of Galileo Galilei and `The International Year of Astronomy 2009' with numerous public programs, publications, symposia, proclamation ceremonies, and tributes to Galileo and his legacy: Now, therefore, be it

*Resolved,* That the Congress of the United States of America commemorates the 400th anniversary of the first use of the telescope by
Galileo Galilei for astronomical observation and marks this discovery as one of the major events impacting mankind, and expresses its gratitude for Galileo's expansion of the universe and mankind's understanding of his place in the cosmos, and that the Congress of the United States of America joins the world in celebration of `The International Year of Astronomy'.

Attest:,Clerk.

__________________________________________________________________________________
*C: Names of Leading Organizations Participating in the Effort*

In addition to the *Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American
Organizations, *the following organizations supported the effort:

American Institute of Architects
Center for Palladian Studies in America, Inc.
Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America
Royal Institute of British Architects Trust
Sir John Soane?s Museum Foundation
Istituto Italiana di Cultura
Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura Andrea Palladio
Gruppo Giovani Imprenditori Confindustria Vicenza
National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
National Organization of Italian American Women
Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA)
UNICO National
New Jersey Italian and Italian American Heritage Commission**
Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc.
Columbus Citizens Foundation
Italian American Museum (New York City)
UNICO Foundation, Inc.
Commission for Social Justice (OSIA)
Italian Historical Society of America
Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society of the Washington, DC Area
Italian Cultural Society of Washington, DC, Inc.
Lido Civic Club of Washington, DC
National Council for the Promotion of Italian Language in American Schools,Inc.
Westchester Italian Cultural Center
Coccia Foundation
Italian American Political Action Committee
Grand Lodge of California (OSIA)
Italian American One Voice Coalition
Guild of Italian American Actors
Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

*D Names of the 50 Co-sponsors of H. Con. Res. 259*

Rep Ackerman, Gary L.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Ackerman++Gary+L.))+00004))>[NY-5] - 6/10/2010
Rep Andrews, Robert E.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Andrews++Robert+E.))+00021))>[NJ-1] - 11/15/2010
Rep Arcuri, Michael A.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Arcuri++Michael+A.))+01867))>[NY-24] - 6/24/2010
Rep Brady, Robert A.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Brady++Robert+A.))+01469))>[PA-1] - 9/16/2010
Rep Brown, Henry E., Jr.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Brown++Henry+E.++Jr.))+01669))>[SC-1] - 5/27/2010
Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Brown-Waite++Ginny))+01713))>[FL-5] - 5/27/2010
Rep Capuano, Michael E.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Capuano++Michael+E.))+01564))>[MA-8] - 6/9/2010
Rep Coble, Howard<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Coble++Howard))+00211))>[NC-6] - 6/17/2010
Rep Connolly, Gerald E. "Gerry"<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Connolly++Gerald+E.+Gerry))+01959))>[VA-11] - 7/29/2010
Rep Crowley, Joseph<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Crowley++Joseph))+01604))>[NY-7] - 7/29/2010
Rep Delahunt, Bill<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Delahunt++Bill))+01480))>[MA-10] - 5/27/2010
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+DeLauro++Rosa+L.))+00281))>[CT-3] - 7/1/2010
Rep Doyle, Michael F.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Doyle++Michael+F.))+00316))>[PA-14] - 9/28/2010
Rep Engel, Eliot L.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Engel++Eliot+L.))+00344))>[NY-17] - 7/27/2010
Rep Gallegly, Elton<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Gallegly++Elton))+00425))>[CA-24] - 7/30/2010
Rep Garamendi, John <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Garamendi++John))+01973))>[CA-10] - 7/29/2010
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Gutierrez++Luis+V.))+00478))>[IL-4] - 11/15/2010
Rep Holt, Rush D.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Holt++Rush+D.))+01580))>[NJ-12] - 11/15/2010
Rep Israel, Steve<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Israel++Steve))+01663))>[NY-2] - 9/14/2010
Rep King, Peter T.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+King++Peter+T.))+00635))>[NY-3] - 9/14/2010
Rep Langevin, James R.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Langevin++James+R.))+01668))>[RI-2] - 9/14/2010
Rep Larson, John B.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Larson++John+B.))+01583))>[CT-1] - 7/19/2010
Rep LaTourette, Steven C.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+LaTourette++Steven+C.))+00667))>[OH-14] - 9/28/2010
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+LoBiondo++Frank+A.))+00699))>[NJ-2] - 11/15/2010
Rep Lowey, Nita M.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Lowey++Nita+M.))+00709))>[NY-18] - 11/15/2010
Rep Maffei, Daniel B.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Maffei++Daniel+B.))+01943))>[NY-25] - 9/28/2010
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Maloney++Carolyn+B.))+00729))>[NY-14] - 9/14/2010
Rep Manzullo, Donald A.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Manzullo++Donald+A.))+00733))>[IL-16] - 6/29/2010
Rep Markey, Edward J.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Markey++Edward+J.))+00735))>[MA-7] - 7/19/2010
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+McCarthy++Carolyn))+01503))>[NY-4] - 6/9/2010
Rep McGovern, James P.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+McGovern++James+P.))+01504))>[MA-3] - 9/29/2010
Rep McMahon, Michael E.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+McMahon++Michael+E.))+01941))>[NY-13] - 6/30/2010
Rep Mica, John L.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Mica++John+L.))+00800))>[FL-7] - 9/16/2010
Rep Moran, James P.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Moran++James+P.))+00832))>[VA-8] - 6/30/2010
Rep Murphy, Christopher S.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Murphy++Christopher+S.))+01837))>[CT-5] - 5/27/2010
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Norton++Eleanor+Holmes))+00868))>[DC] - 6/22/2010
Rep Oberstar, James L.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Oberstar++James+L.))+00876))>[MN-8] - 6/9/2010
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Pallone++Frank++Jr.))+00887))>[NJ-6] - 6/17/2010
Rep Payne, Donald M.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Payne++Donald+M.))+00902))>[NJ-10] - 6/25/2010
Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Perriello++Thomas+S.P.))+01958))>[VA-5] - 7/19/2010
Rep Platts, Todd Russell<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Platts++Todd+Russell))+01667))>[PA-19] - 7/21/2010
Rep Rothman, Steven R.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Rothman++Steven+R.))+01520))>[NJ-9] - 7/22/2010
Rep Ryan, Tim<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Ryan++Tim))+01756))>[OH-17] - 7/15/2010
Rep Sires, Albio<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Sires++Albio))+01818))>[NJ-13] - 6/9/2010
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Slaughter++Louise+McIntosh))+01069))>[NY-28] - 8/10/2010
Rep Thompson, Glenn<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Thompson++Glenn))+01952))>[PA-5] - 9/15/2010
Rep Tiberi, Patrick J.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Tiberi++Patrick+J.))+01664))>[OH-12] - 3/25/2010
Rep Tsongas, Niki <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Tsongas++Niki))+01884))>[MA-5] - 11/15/2010
Rep Van Hollen, Chris<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Van+Hollen++Chris))+01729))>[MD-8] - 9/29/2010
Rep Wolf, Frank R.<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Wolf++Frank+R.))+01238))>[VA-10] - 9/15/2010

_______________________________________________________
*Dear Italophile and/or Lover of Classical Architecture,*

* SUMMARY*

* 1. The Palladio Resolution has finally passed the U.S. Congress*
* 2. Many people and organizations need to be thanked.*
* 3. How can the resolution be made use of?*
* 4. How can more luminaries of Italian civilization be honored in the future? *
* 5. Addendum*:

A.  Official Text of Palladio Resolution
B.  Official Text of Galileo Resolution
C.  List of Supporting Institutions (31)
D. .List of House of Representatives Co-sponsors (50)

The House passed House Concurrent Resolution 259 on Nov. 17 and the Senate passed it on December 6. The resolution honors Palladio?s achievements as an architect and his influence on the built environment of our country. (See text of resolution printed below or you may also go to the Library of Congress Website THOMAS to read text of H. Con. Res. 259 -- key word   ?Palladio?).

Andrea Palladio is the most influential architect in history and the country he most influenced is the United States. I am extremely proud and delighted that our Congress has acknowledged our country's immense debt to Palladio and inferentially our debt to Italy in cultural matters. There is no doubt that Palladio is one of the key luminaries of Western Civilization and it is inspiring to know that Congress found the time, even with its busy schedule of weighty matters to attend to, to acknowledge that heritage.

Many people and organizations need to be thanked for this tremendous accomplishment. First, of course, is Representative *Bill Pascrell, Jr.* of New Jersey who steadfastly sponsored the resolution in two different sessions of Congress. *Mr. Pascrell: All proud Italian Americans, Italophiles and lovers of classical architecture are in debt to you!*

Next to be thanked is Representative *Patrick J. Tiberi*, the original co-sponsor of the resolution. He showed enthusiasm for the project and also was most supportive in the effort to find other co-sponsors.

We are also most grateful for the support of the other 49 co-sponsors.Their names are listed below. Please check to see if your representative is on this list. If he or she is, please take the time to offer your thanks. (Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard number at 202.224.3121 and you will be put through). By co-sponsoring they have shown that they care about Italian heritage and culture. Also, it is important to note that by having 50 co-sponsors, we demonstrated our seriousness of purpose and also that there was much support for the resolution in Congress. This was vital to the final outcome. I, personally, cannot thank these representatives enough!

It should be noted that Representatives Pascrell and Tiberi are co-chairs of the *Italian American Delegation to Congress* which consists of the 33 Members of Congress who are of Italian American descent. It should be noted that at the behest of *The Constantino Brumidi Society,* Mr. Tiberi also sponsored a resolution honoring the great Italian scientist Galileo Galilei for his achievements in astronomy 400 years ago (H. Res. 1269) It also passed the House last year. See below for text of resolution. Thank you Mr. Tiberi, also, for this wonderful gift!

I want to give very special thanks to *His Excellency,* *Giulio Terzi*, Ambassador of Italy to the United States for speaking out publicly that the resolution should to be passed. I believe that this was the most significant event to occur in getting the resolution passed. Without the Ambassador's endorsement, I believe the resolution might have languished and died in the *Committee on Foreign Affairs*, as it did two years ago. Here too, Italophiles and lovers of classical architecture are also in debt to the Ambassador. *Bravo Ambassador Terzi!*

We are also most thankful for the support of *House Speaker* *Nancy Pelosi,*which was crucial in getting the resolution out of the Foreign
Affairs Committee and on to the Floor where it could be voted on.

It should be noted that Senator *Michael B. Enzi* of Wyoming also sponsored a similar Palladio resolution in the Senate last year. We thank him for this.

Finally, not to be forgotten is *Calder Loth* who drafted the resolution two and half years ago. Mr. Loth is this country?s leading expert on the
influence of Palladio on American architecture. We were most happy to have his assistance.

To promote the resolution, we were most fortunate to be able to put together a coalition of the five major national Italian American organizations and a number of architectural societies, both in the U.S. and abroad. Among the major supporting organizations, we relied most heavily on the* Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations.* It was the lead organization in the coalition, and steadily stood by and nurtured this project right from the beginning. The *Conference of Presidents* played a similar role in the passage of the *Constantino Brumidi Congressional Gold Medal legislation* in 2008. Many thanks to this great, effective and noble organization! The 30 other organizations which also supported the resolution are listed below. We thank them all for their service.

Finally, in this matter, not to be forgotten are the scores of individuals who over the course of two and a half years contacted their representatives about the resolution. This was most important. They understood the principle: *"If it is an issue for the constituent then it is an issue for the Representative.*" You made democracy work! There are just too many individuals to mention. But, you know who you are. We thank you all.

Numerous people have asked me what is the value of such a resolution. Obviously, it is most prestigious, in itself, for the Congress of the United States to have acknowledged the contribution of Palladio to the built environment of the United States. On its approval by both Houses, the resolution was signed by the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate and transmitted to the Archivist of the United States for publication in a special part of the Statutes at Large volume covering the 111th session of Congress. This resolution is now a part of history.

But how can we make use of the resolution, now, this new year? Here are two suggestions:

1. I hope that the heads of organizations receiving this message will inform their members of the passage of this important resolution and also print the official final version of the resolution in their organization's newsletter or magazine.

2. In addition, it would be most appropriate if the more than 300 Italian festivals that take place in the United States every year, recognize in
2011, the achievements of both Palladio and Galileo at their Festas with an exhibit on each man?s contribution to Western Civilization and
also display a ceremonial copy of each resolution for all to see. (A ceremonial copy of these two resolutions may be obtained from the
appropriate representative in Congress). In this way, Italian Festas would be promoting the public?s understanding and recognition of high Italian culture.

Finally, more Italian and Italian American luminaries need to be recognized as significant anniversaries arise. I believe that the* Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations *should annually choose who should be so honored and then the Conference of Presidents should work closely with the co-chairs of the *Italian American Delegation to Congress*(Representatives Pascrell and Tiberi) to have appropriate resolutions introduced and passed by Congress.

Last, but not least, I look forward to the Congress presenting the Congressional Gold Medal, posthumously, to Constantino Brumidi next year, in a ceremony to take place in the Rotunda of the Capitol, beneath Brumidi's "*Apotheosis of Washington.*" (Rep. Pascrell and Sen. Enzi were the sponsors of the enabling legislation).

Sincerely,

*Brumidi Society*
*Joseph N. Grano, Chair, 3881 Newark St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20016*
Tel. (202) 364-2526; E-mail joegrano@netzero.com
*Hon. Peter W. Rodino, Jr. (1909 ? 2005), Honorary Chair*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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