Designating the week of Sunday, October 9 through Saturday, October 15, 2022 as "Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Deana Martin as the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Philadelphia Italian American Parade.

WHEREAS, The annual Philadelphia Italian American Parade began in South Philadelphia in 1957, and has since become one of the City’s premier ethnic celebrations. On October 9, 2022, the 1492 Society will host the annual parade. In addition to the active participation of the Delaware Valley’s Italian American community, the Philadelphia Italian American Parade tradition includes the world-famous Philadelphia Mummers string bands, outstanding high school and many other marching groups representing the various ethnic traditions of our great City. The Parade seeks to foster a spirit of multi-culturalism and respect for people of all ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, This year our Grand Marshall is Deana Martin, American singer, actor and performer. She is also the daughter of legendary entertainer Dean Martin.

Deana achieved success in her career in films, theatre and television, recording artist, best-selling author, nationally syndicated radio host, licensed pilot, and entrepreneur

; and

WHEREAS, Deana’s 2006 debut CD release, Memories Are Made Of This, stayed in the top ten for 40 consecutive weeks. In 2009 another hit CD, Volare, was released; it debuted on the Billboard charts at #7 and the Jazz chart at #22. White Christmas was another chart buster, released in 2011; it has hit the top ten each Christmas since its release. In 2013 Deana released the critically acclaimed CD, Destination Moon. Deana’s 2016 release, Swing Street, has broken sales records and garnered airplay on top Jazz, Standards and Country radio stations; and

WHEREAS, Deana is also a celebrated author, landing on the New York Times Best Seller list with her 2004 memoir, Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughters Eyes. In it, Deana delights in sharing wonderful, never-before-told stories about her father and his Pallies. To her they were known as, Uncle Frank (Sinatra) and Uncle Sammy (Davis, Jr) - to the world, they were known as the Rat Pack. The book will soon be made into a movie, directed by actor Joe Mantegna, with screenplay written by actor/writer/television host Bonnie Hunt, and starring Jennifer Love Hewitt; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, Deana returned to New York City, her home town, via legendary powerhouse radio station WABC Radio. In ―Dean & Deana Martin’s NIGHTCAP, Dea

na shares personal recollections of growing up with her iconic Father and his pallies Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and, of course, plenty of great music from Deana and her Dad. Like her Dad, Deana makes it all look so easy, and audiences can’t get enough. Deana and her husband John Griffeth divide their time between Beverly Hills, CA and Branson, MO; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the annual Italian American Parade, festivities will include an Italian Festival showcasing the culture and cuisine of the people of Italy. The Italian Festival will take place at Marconi Plaza the day of the Parade and includes food, dance and music from the many diverse regions of Italy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby designate the week of October 9 through October 15, 2022 as “Italian American Heritage Week” and honor Deana Martin as Grand Marshall of the 2022 Italian American Day Parade.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Grand Marshall Deana Martin, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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