Statement of Anthony E. La Piana

Subcommittee on the Constitution

regarding HR 2442, Wartime Violation of Italian

American Civil Liberties Act

Good morning Mr. Chairman. I am here today to seek your assistance in passing Bill HR 2442. I would like to thank the honorable chairman Hyde, and Canady, as well as each member of this committee for the opportunity to address this esteemed body.

I believe the passage of this bill will not only improve the quality of life for all Italians globally, but will also raise the level of awareness on how different cultures should be treated in the future in American Society.

The date March 4, 1999., will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.

It was a day of not only complete and utter shock to me, but amazement, and most importantly a rude awakening. While during my years living in our great country I had experienced bigotry towards my nationality, I would have never imagined an outrageous act of reckless behavior would have occurred in the United States of America by its government. We sincerely hope that today's date, October 26, 1999 marks the start of a significant day in the historical record.

Many of those who suffered the abuse passed down on them by the same government in a moment of peril are still screaming silently inside themselves for justice.

This day October 26th, 1999., is a great day in our nations history, for finally those six hundred thousand plus Italians who experienced injustice, branded enemy aliens by the same government that they served to protect, will be heard.

It took an article in a major Chicago newspaper written by a man of character, and courage, Raymond Coffey, to ignite the fire inside an emerging group of activists to engage themselves in a political battle that has been long overdue. Activists from across this country worked together in unity to bring these hearings before the citizens of our nation.

To say my experiences for the last nine months have all been positive, and filled with joy would be a lie. I cannot tell this committee how much sadness I have had to endure day-after-day listening to hundreds and hundreds of Italian-Americans expressing their anger and sorrow about the way we as a culture are treated by our government, and by the Hollywood bigots who have a field day depicting Italians negatively in movie films.

I mention the Hollywood media issue not because I believe this body is responsible for changing the portrayal of stereotypes in films, but to demonstrate that the same attitudes which led to the internment of innocent citizens still exists today.

Mr. Chairman, the Italian people are outraged at the way they have been treated by their government. May I make a very strong recommendation?, sir. Please, do something to help correct these unwarranted acts of injustice that a culture has had to endure without justification.

On a daily basis, activists as well as organizers worked the streets in the rain, heat, and well into the late hours of the night bringing this important issue to the forefront of the minds of Americans across this nation. Italian-Americans and other cultures cared enough to donate their time away from families working on a cause that they felt in their hearts was worth sacrificing for.

Mr. Chairman, and other members of this committee, allow me to take this once in a lifetime opportunity to express myself before our nation. " I am proud to be Italian ", and " I am proud of the Italian people ". The activists in this movement were astonished at how many people reacted with such vigor.

Italians, and other cultures alike, clammered to sign petitions.

They are still arriving at a tally of 50 to 250 per day. Our movement continues to grow rapidly, and with intensity. The Italian people believe these hearings will hold a better future for all Italians globally.

While always confident that our goal would be obtained, at times there were doubts. You see, this movement had no political clout, had no pac money, and had no corporate connections. We had only ourselves to throw into the battle.

More importantly, we had hopes, and we believed this day would come.

I would like to end my remarks today by thanking chairman Hyde, and Canady, and each of you for allowing me the time to address this issue. We know that there are many issues competing for your valuable time and we appreciate the attention and support you have given us. Once again I ask that you draw on your sense of fairness, and compassion, and support Bill HR 2442 to help set the historical record straight.

Thank You.