WHEREAS, More than 500 years ago, a courageous Italian visionary set out on what would become one of the most momentous journeys in the annals of history. Christopher Columbus and the maps he charted to the “New World” were guiding lights to every ship that came to America; and
WHEREAS, The dauntless spirit of this great navigator from Genoa helped shape the destiny of the land that became the United States of America. Christopher Columbus was a man of strength, commitment and determination, qualities that are among the basic principles upon which the United States is founded; and
WHEREAS, The annual Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade began in South Philadelphia in 1957, and has since become one of the City’s premier celebrations. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the parade, which fosters a spirit of multi-culturalism and respect for the numerous ethnic heritages in the region. This year’s parade highlights Italian and Italian American fraternal and social organizations, Mummer’s string bands, award winning high school bands from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, elite African American stepping groups and Dixieland music; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the annual parade, Columbus Day festivities include a gala dinner and an Italian Festival showcasing the culture and cuisine of the people of Italy; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby designate the week of October 2, 2006 through October 9, 2006 as “Christopher Columbus Week” for the annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival saluting the five hundredth and fourteenth anniversary of Columbus’ historic voyage to America.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Columbus Day Committee and Parade Marshall SeverinoVerna, Jr., as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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