As I take on the responsibilities of the Italian Ambassador, for the first time, I have the honor to address this greeting and wishful message to Italians, Americans of Italian origin and dear friends of Italy
The greeting and best wishes are addressed to each and everyone of them as I am conscious of the contribution already made and of the enormous potential still to be expected by Italians, Americans of Italian origin and friends of Italy to this society and within the context of the relations between our two Countries.
Our Country stands solidly on the side of United States of which Italy is a traditional and loyal ally in the pursuit of peace and security. We must meet together the new threats of international Terrorism .
Economic freedom is part of our common culture and represents a great tool for wealth. Our Country benefits from the material and intellectual products as well as from the investments of the United States. During my tenure I pledge to work towards the promotion in America, even with the support of our investments, of the appreciation for traditional Italian products as well as the more recent ones of the high technology sector.
The quest of discovery brought the Italian navigators Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci to this land. A few days from now I will participate with pride in the Columbus Day celebrations, The thirst for knowledge and the will for freedom brought about the great discoveries made in America by Italian scientists such as the inventor of the telephone, Antonio Meucci, and one of the fathers of atomic energy, Enrico Fermi.
The Italian scientific community in the United States, to this day, still represents an important realty that I wish to encourage, conscious as I am of the contribution that American and Italian researchers can give to the economies of our two countries and the well being of the planet. Italy’s cultural assets are unique in the world and for us a reason to be proud but also a duty with regard to humanity. Past generations have handed down to us the treasures we own: we must conserve them to allow future generations to continue to benefit from them.
Strictly tied to its culture, knowledge of the Italian language as a tool to facilitate its understanding, has a fundamental importance in today’s phase within American society of acceptance of foreign languages.
I am reminded that President Bush has proclaimed the year 2005 the Year of Foreign Languages. This new sensibility offers new opportunities to promote the teaching of the Italian language in the educational system of the United States. In this area we obviously are counting on the effective engagement of Americans of Italian origin and their more representative organizations.
The beginning of my mission in the United States is marked by the mailing operation to bring into alignment the consular registry offices with the AIRE data of the Italian municipalities and prepare the electoral lists for the upcoming first political vote abroad to elect a new Parliament. This is a significant stage in the opening process towards our communities.
I trust that, thanks also to the cooperation of the Committees of Italians in Foreign Countries (COMITES) and of the representatives in the United States of the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE) charged by the law with the institutional representation of the Italian communities in foreign countries, it will be possible to manage in the best way this important electoral event.
Last Sunday I attended mass in Italian in the parochial church of the Holy Rosary built 90 years ago thanks to the contribution of the Italian community of Washington and I had the first opportunity to informally meet with them while receiving a cordial welcome from those present. With a sense of price I undertake in Washington a compelling task that I intend to carry out with the greatest dedication.
Best wishes for peace, prosperity and good health to all those and to all their families.
Thank you.
