Italy's 150Th
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VOL. 115 - NO. 12 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, MARCH 25, 2011 $.30 A COPY SONS OF ITALY ITALY’S 150TH JAPAN TRAGEDY Celebrated at State House ----- RELIEF EFFORTS ---- by Nicola Orichuia The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the largest and oldest organization representing Italian American men and women, is deeply saddened by the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, and the dire conditions and loss of life left in its wake. Understanding the pressing urgency of the situation, we cannot wait to act. We stand ready to offer our support to the reputable organizations tasked with and prepared to provide immediate assistance to the Japanese people and others left devastated by this tragedy. We ask all Sons of Italy members and all Italian Ameri- cans to give what they can to aid this monumental humanitarian relief effort. We suggest direct cash dona- tions to the following organizations: Save the Children www.savethechildren.org 800-728-3843 Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org 888-392-0392 American Red Cross www.redcross.org UNICEF www.unicefusa.org Lastly, we ask that you keep the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers now and as the country rebuilds. Established in 1905, OSIA has more than 600,000 family members and supporters and a network of more than 650 chapters coast to coast. OSIA works at the community, national and international levels to promote the heritage and culture of an estimated 26 million Italian Americans, the nation’s fifth largest ethnic group according to the U.S. Census Bureau. To learn more, visit www.osia.org. The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) is the philanthropic 150th Anniversary celebration honors Achievement Award recipients. Back row, arm of OSIA. Established in 1959, the SIF has contributed L to R: Filippo Frattaroli, Donato Frattaroli, Riccardo Signorelli and Joey Crugnale. nearly $115 million to scholarships, medical research, Front row, L to R: Paolo Coppi accepting the award for his father Bruno Coppi, Mary cultural preservation, disaster relief and other projects. Ann Esposito, Lilla Pastorelli holding son Andrea, Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli, To learn more, visit www.osia.org/sif. Maria Gioconda Motta, A. Joseph DeNucci and Boston Herald Editor and Master of Ceremonies Joe Sciacca. (Photo by Rosario Scabin, Ross Photography) The State House on Beacon Hill was all Reverend Antonio Nardoianni. “Millions of News Briefs about Italy on Friday, March 18, as hundreds Italians left their country in hard times, of people gathered to celebrate the 150th and many of them came to Massachusetts by Sal Giarratani Anniversary of Italy’s unification and honor with their talents, courage and spirit of several accomplished Italians and Italian sacrifice. For them, Massachusetts became 11.1 Million Mortgages Sinking Americans in New England. Rows of children a land of opportunity, as well as their new Deeper into the Water from the North End’s Eliot School waved the home.” The United States, Pastorelli said, tricolore as they greeted visitors and guests was among the first nations to recognize The number of Americans who owe more on at the building’s entrance, then quickly Italy as a country on April 13, 1861, less than their mortgages than their homes are worth scurried to the top of the State House’s Grand a month after the March 17 proclamation of continue to rise. The housing market remains Staircase, forming a cheerful green, white Victor Emmanuel II as King of Italy. weak and these folks can’t sell their homes. and red background to the ceremony below. All the politicians attending the 90-minute About 23.1 percent of all mortgaged homes were Retired members of the Italian Carabinieri ceremony had Italian backgrounds and were underwater during the October-December 2010 and the Associazione Nazionale Marinai proud to highlight it. “My Italian heritage quarter, which is up from 22.5 percent during d’Italia stood beside the podium, as members makes me enjoy the company of others,” said the July-September quarter. Earlier last year of the Massachusetts National Guard, Cer- U.S. Congressman Capuano, whose family underwater mortgages were dropped, but unfor- emonial Unit Honor Guard presented the originally came from Atripalda, in the prov- tunately due to foreclosures. In Nevada, two- colors, followed by the Arlington High School ince of Avellino. Recalling a meeting a few thirds of mortgaged homes are underwater. Jazz Band playing the American and Italian days earlier with the Italian Ambassador in Arizona, California, Michigan and Florida, the national anthems. At the podium, where Washington, Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, number underwater hovers around 50 percent. Boston Herald editor-in-chief Joe Sciacca Capuano underlined the friendship and Underwater homeowners can’t get refinanc- kicked off the celebration as master of cer- shared values between the two countries. ing and have no recourse but to continue mak- emonies, was Italy Consul General Giuseppe “There is no better friend to the United States ing payments in hope that property values will Pastorelli, alongside some of the state’s most than Italy,” he said. eventually rise again. These folks are stuck with important politicians: From Congressman Boston’s first Italian American Mayor, their homes and refuse to sell at a loss. Michael Capuano and Boston Mayor Thomas Thomas Menino, also had warm words for Funding Public TV-radio, Yes or No? Menino, to Speaker of the House of Repre- Italy. “I’m very proud of my Italian heritage,” Republicans in the US House are seriously sentatives Robert DeLeo and State Senator he said. “I never forgot the lessons my talking about defunding public broadcasting. Why Anthony Petruccelli, not to mention State parents and grandparents taught me.” are NPR and PBS getting subsidized by the Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representative Menino is a regular visitor to Italy, and American viewing public? Boston’s WGBH-TV, Paul Donato. master of ceremonies Joe Sciacca joked Channel 2 has some great quality television on “I am honored and proud to be here to cel- about going on a road trip together, “to (Continued on Page 15) ebrate together a moment in history for explore our roots,” he said. which we should all feel united,” said Pastorelli, right after a blessing given by (Continued on Page 8) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PMPM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, MARCH 25, 2011 Res Publica by David Trumbull The Giant Sucking Sound (of Jobs Leaving Due to Trade Policy) CALIGULA THE NUTCAKE According to a recent Associated Industries of Massachu- Caligula considered him- so-called equestrian order. in reckless extravagance, setts (“AIM”) blog posting by Kristen Rupert: self to be a god and continu- At gladiatorial contests he such as bathing in hot or “A pending free-trade agreement between the United ally demanded that suitable would suddenly order that cold performed oils, drinking States and Korea would increase U.S. exports by $10-$11 honors be paid to him. He the sun shades be opened expensive pearls that had billion annually to a nation that has become Massachu- setts’ ninth largest trading partner, two trade experts told also openly deplored his when the sun was the hot- been dissolved in vinegar, the AIM International Business Council recently.” time in life because it had test, and then give addi- or consuming bread and The article goes on to state that: “The bottom line: not been marked by any tional orders that no one be meat that had been colored a $10 billion-$12 billion jump in gross domestic product great public disasters. Every allowed to leave. He is also with gold. He built villas and creation of at least 70,000 jobs.” now and then he wished known to have forced com- and country houses with What the author fails to note is that this is not a truly for the destruction of his mon citizens with conspicu- no regard whatsoever for reciprocal ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff reduction deal. While the U.S., armies, an earthquake, a ous infirmities to fight each the expense involved. His under the agreement, will open our market to duty-free configuration or even a fam- other as gladiators in the horse named Incitatus access for goods from South Korea, the Koreans will be per- ine. One of his favorite arena just for kicks. (Speedy) was his favorite. mitted to keep the 10% value added tax (VAT) that they sports was to close the gra- At one time the consuls of Some sources say that he impose on imports. Furthermore, they are free to increase naries and condemn the Rome forgot to make procla- made his horse a priest and the VAT in the future. Experience over the past 50 years people to hunger for long mation of his birthday and also declared it to be a con- has shown that it is not unusual for our trading partners, periods of time. he immediately removed sul (high magistrate). The after reducing their tariffs in exchange for the U.S. reduc- When the occasion pre- them from office. They were horse was kept in an ivory ing ours, to then increase the VAT to offset the tariff sented itself he would smash lucky to get off with their stable and fed from a golden reductions, so that the end result is we lower our barriers statues of famous men from lives.