ITALY AT WORK

4' —fltLettersat5}?!IalHtIn essence, our survival neednot depend on the infliction ofsuffer­suffering,poverty or extermination on an­anotherhuman being. Likewise, Likewise. ourpride in being Italian need not nu dependon our bashing of other nationalities orraces. Pleasethinkaboutit aboutit. Oneofthefrightening things about history is thatit repeats itselfconstantly but indiffer­ent, ent. often indistinguishable forms.Cristina Venturini, Elmont, NYdiffer-(Ed.- - Ofcourse we do twt notintentwn­a/ly ally "bash" other ethnic groups. grot-itis. How­However,we report news that is not com­commonlyhighlighted in the media. Itmayseem strange to some readers,Iike like ourintention-prepanderance preponderance ofpositive Italic news, news.but true nevertheless.While we too would like to believethe stereotype tluJt that "Italians are pacifisticby nature", nature". we cannot squaresuch a generality with realities like:paciflsticItaliansexclusivelymannedtheRomanlegions at the time of Christ, or tluJt thatnearly 800,000 800.000 military dead were theresult of Italy's participation participatwn in twoworldwars, wars. ortluJt that violence is a way oflife in organizations such astheM Mafiaand Camorra.) Camorrtl.)............ ‘iii(Ed.- In our last issue (Summer, (Sumner.1988) we did a book review about thelOth l0th Light Flotilla (Frogmen) (Frogmcn) of Of theItalian Navy in World War//. ll. Coinci­Coincidentally,one ofourour .staff staflmembers, members. onholiday near New London. CT., discov­discav-Thank you for sending meered a "maiale" ”mat'ale" or "pig" used by thethe 1988 Summer issue of theFlotilla, FIotilla. on display at the U.S. Subma­Subma-Newsletter of The Society for Italic italicrine Base. A plaque corrfirmed confirmed tluJt that the Studies, Studies. Inc. Imi-Loocngfocward~h~gLooking forward to heatingfrom you and to receivingsubsequent issues of thenewsletter.Prof. Liberato John A.DiDio, Toledo, OH••••UfiiiSomehow I l re­receiveda copy of your inau­inauguralissue- issue—and I am de­delightedwith what you areAn actual two-man "humandoing with The Italic Way!torpedo", Italian Navy WWIICongratulations to you andyour staff. This has long been needed. lFlotilla had used this type •'maiale" "mat'ale" toYou asked . for suggestions.sink rwo two British battleships in Alexan­Alexan-Please continue to do what you did in thedria Harbor in 1941.) I941. )Spring issue.My parents were immi­immi-‘grants and my wife came cane to this country ‘‘iii••••whenshewas was 13 l3 yearsold. It ltisajoytoa tosee the positive sides of our beautifulCan you help me mc locate anyheritage.literature dealing with AntonioJohn Arena, Arena. Novato, CAMeucci?F. Guida, Norfolk, VA(Ed. -We- have mailed you the infor­informationregarding Antonio Meucci. .ssed our summer issue. issue‘?inventor of an early telephone. Wewelcome requestsfrom membersforCopies can be orderedmaterials materiabt or sources concerning Italic@ $2.50 lf if you're a memberpersons or endeavors.)$3.00 lf if you're not.Send check (‘heck or m.o. 111.0. to........ ‘iiiThe Italic Way, PO Box 616 818. •_ Floral Park, Park. NY 11001FUTURE ISSUES OF THE ITALIC WAYo OUNLUCKY DAYS -The- ancient Romans had 24 "evil “evil days" in theircalendar, calendar. December 7th was one of them. Tune in to find out the rest. nest.o 0 JP.ESCOSOLIDO PESCOSOLIDU -The- man who is Rom~mizing Romrmizing Harvard. Han/ard.o == ROSETO, ll-UOSETO, lP IPA. -Ethnic- culture and your health.o OAFRICA -A- A part pan of halic Italic history'======================;;;;;;;;;;;; The Italic Way;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:Fall19883The Italic Way_—

t‘ ._,_ft,?t;- 1‘:|ifiG'21.!‘Tfli‘F3.ma 01,1TRAGIC ENCOUNTERThe 'Ihetol1 toll ofdead hasrisento6S 65 intheRamstein. Germany air show tragedy; tragedy.Another 152 I52 remain hospitalized afterthree Italian Air Forcejets collideddur­duringa precision drill sending one of lhe thedowned craft into a crowd tzowd of Gennan Germanand American spectators. Also, amongthe dead were was three Italian pilots.Investigators Investiptors blamed lhe the high civil­civiliantoll on a Jack lack ofadequate safety pre­precautionsthat permitted pennitted the daredevilmaneuver to be perfonnedclose performed to, andin the direction of, thespeculators. TheItalian squadron, known as the FrecceTricolori Tricolor-I (Tricolor Arrows), had re­receivedprior approval for the stunt fromAmerican airbase officials. Until now,the nonnally normally high American safetystandards were not generally applied atEuropean air shows.Some critics have pointed out thatthe Italian squadron has a reputation forexcessive daring. Its st.oc~-in-trade stoclr-in-trade isaa10-plane 10~plane aerial extravaganza lhat that hasenough high speed weaving and crisscrossincmssingtofraythencrvesofanyoh-the nerves any observer.... "The Italians ltaliam fly with brio, withpanacheandwithand skill,"said oneFrenchflyer. "But “But they push 100 too far." far.” lvoNutarelli, pilotofthejetof the that caused thecriss-initial collision was known as a realdaredevil who was famous for a sttmtcalled the bell ringer in which he wouldcut off his engine in midair, drop fromthe thcskyandrestarthisenginejustintimehis engine in timeto avoid catastrophe.Unfortunately,l.his this time his slcill skill and luck: ran out.CHURCH & STATENot since Italians voted to legalizedivorce a few years ago has lhe the schismbetween church and state in Italy beenso apparent. Government officials re­recentlyturned down an official requestby Roman Catholic bishops to banMartin Scorsese's Last Temptation ofChrist at the Venice Film Festival.The film portraying Jesus Christ in aless-than-godly less~than-godly way was directed byScorsese based on a book written by lhe theAllllltatllianalate Greek author Nikos Nik:os K.azanttalds.Kazantzakis.The most offensive segment of the conttoversiauoversialmovie occurs as Jesus, suffer­stifferingon the cross, cross. envisions himselflead­leadinga normal human life, including hav­hav~ing sex with Mary Magdalene.Putting aside any artistic opinions,some filmmakers like Franco Zeffirelli Zelfirelli(Romeo and Juliet, Jesus of Nazareth)feel that Scorsese has crucified Christi­anity.con-Seconds SBCOIIGS to IO disaster CIISQSIEI’OBITUARIESFerrari, Enzo, Enao, 90: Legendary race carmanufacturer, manufacturer. Ferrari retired early fromlhe thesportbecause the mechanic in himrefusedtoruinanenginejusttowinaruin engine arace.His machines have won 13 I3 worldtitles. "I “I have in fact no interest in lifeoutside racing cars."Ricci, Robert. 83: Co-founder, with hismother. mother, of the Nina Ricci fashion housein Paris. Founded in 1932, Nina Riccididnot get into lhe the perfume business intoafter World War ll II with the now famousL' L‘ Air du Temps.Pope, Geoeroso Generoso Jr., 61:Millionaireowner of the National Enquirer. Son ofthe wealthy and influential Pope familyfounders of 11 ll Progresso Italo-Ameri­ltalo-Arnericano,Generoso Jr. purchased a NewYodcweeklyfor$75,000when York $7S.(D0 when he was 25years old and turned it into the sensation-~--- The Italic Way 4 I Fa" was4alist tabloid it is today. . Circulationis4.million.Zambon~ Zamboni, Frank, 87: B7: Hockey fwouldn't wouldn’t recognize the game without thubiquitous Zamboniice-resurfacinmachines showing their stuff betwperiods. In 1111939, 1939, chilled by the sightoofive men laboring foranhourtotesurfacethourtoreswfanicerink. Zamboni set.to set-to worlc worktoper-feet fectaa machine for thejob. His Ifis inventioutilized one man, a scraper, and some ho tiiiiwater to resurface a rink in 15 minutes. tninutesiThere are about4,000 Zambonis in 33countries.ET TU, SAMURAI!"Which “Which is the stupidest countryandwhy?" Such was the“htuuorous" "humorous"question asked recently bya alapanese Japanesenewspaper of its in readers. The con­consensuswas: Italy. Thereaders basedtheir opinions on the following per­perceptions:''The "'lheltaliansaretoocheerful;too fat; they strik:e strike too much; lthey're womanizers; they think only ‘of eating without working; ltal are 100 cheer­they'retoo style conscious and that's just the100 style conscious and that's just theway they are." are.” Howevu, vee, in the spiritofoconstructive criticism, lhese these Japanesecritics suggeSted suggested how the Italians couldbetter themselves:"Cultivate reason, mason,shorten the siesta, become diligent, eatquicker, and read some books."So much for the Axis!BUSINESS BRIEFS•- K-Mart's chairman clmirman Joseph Anton­Antoniniis looking to unseat Sears, Roebuckas the nation's largest retailer.Antonini's strategy is to upgrade certainlines like clothing and home furnishingswhile still emphasizing discount commo

,~I\.:I\A_.l.3ms.q@THOSE WERE (NOT) THEDAYS!Post-Revolutionary War Americawas definitely not a high moral point inour Out’history according to AmericanHeritage magazine.Historian JackLarkin studied New England vital sta­statisticsfrom1780 l780onward and found thatapproximately 30% of the marriageswere consumated eonsurnated before the weddingnight. This may have been the afteref­aftereffectof the colonial custom ofbundling,when courting included cuddling underthecoversasan an accepted aceeptedway ofdealingwith New England winters.Sexualmorality didn't stan start ·sweeping NewEngland until the 1840's and perhapsonly with the advent of central heating.ETHNIC UPDATES•- Hispanics compose 8% of the U.S.population but hold only 1% of electedoffices in the land, including 111 1 seats inthe House of Representatives (none inthe Senate).With the Hispanic population grow­growingfive times faster than the generalpopulation, HBO, Cinemax, Cinemax. and likelyother cable stations will be offeringmore Spanish language programmingin 1989.•- Since 1949, I949, West Germany hascompensated Jews around the worldand the State of Israel with $43 billionfor the Holocaust. Now, for the firsttime, East Gennany Germany has agreed to con­contribute$100 SIOO million.•- A recent study of 444 executiveswho graduated from three MBA pro­programshas found that Jews are earningan average of $28,500 more than theirChristian counterparts. This is inmark:ed marked contrast to the discriminatorypattemJewssufferedinthe suffered the 1950's. Thestudy smdy credited betterundergraduateschools and a preference for liberal artsas the key advantages.•' On the heels ofa a $20,000 per capitasettlement with Japanese-Americanswho were unjustly deprived of libertyWorld Notes[Wepresent this section 10 toinfonn inform our readersofcvmtsand events and tn:nds trendsthatmay that be of interest with regard lO to ethnic opinions opinion: orcultnnl cultural values.) values]and property during World War ll, II. theUnited States S rates Government is negotiatingwith native American Indians toward anadjustmentof their land claims. As nowstructured. structured, Washington State's PuyallupIndians will give up their claim to Ta­Tacoma,Washington, for 900 acres of land,a multi-million dollar trust fund, a $61million fishery, and $20,000 cashtoevery tribal adult.•' Despite being insulted in sassy Trav­TravelerMagazine as a people who "neverbathe”, .., the French still advertise in theperiodical.The biggest mobster:Brezhnev and his Italian & It American"counterparts"MOB TALK•- Racketeers N. Bunker ("Bunk"*) (“Bunk”)Hunt and W. Herbert ("Herb"*) (“I-lerb"") Hunt ofthe notorious Hunt Family have flled filed forbankruptcy banlcruptcy underChapter 11. l. The Huntswere convicted for trying to comer corner thesilver market in 1979-80. I979-80. The cost to theAmerican consumerof of the Hunts' Htmts' crimi­criminalact is not known. Their scam pushedthe price of silver at that time to $52 perounce (from $5) . • ~ Ow Otarntanickers, nwniclrers, Ed.•- The Italian government govemment has namedtough Roman prosecutor DomenicoSicaas high commissioner in the war on theMafia. The nine-month-old war, whichhas seen 338 mafiosi jailed in Palermo,has appeared to suffer from inertia.Signor Sica, vetecan veteran of the Aldo Morocase and the attempted assassination ofPope John Paul ll, II, is being hailed as a"supennan" “supennan” by Italian newspapers andwill hopefully renew the offensive.•- Late Soviet leader LeonidBrezhnev is being depicted asa a "mafia" “mafia”Godfather in the U.S.S.R. A postercontaininga silhoueue silhouette of the burley ex­ex-conleaderwithItalian and American "mafi­“mafiosi"beneath him hit Moscow streetsthis past summer.Brezhnev is beingaccused ofaiding and abetting a hostofofnefarious deeds including bribery, bnbery,nepotism, and protectionism.Brezhnev's Brezhnev‘s son-in-law and a Conner fonnerInterior Minister stand accused of ac­accepting$1 million in bribes during thelate 1970's and 80's. At the scale andlevel of current organized crime inRussia, maybe the Soviets ought toinvent their own Russian word forMa­Mafflll.CHRIST'S CHRIST’S SHROUD?It's official oflicial. The Roman CatholicChw-ch Church has announced that the famousShroudofTurinof Twin is a fake. Thought to bethe burial cloth of the founder ofChris­Christianity,the 14' shroud thatbears theim­imprintof a bearded, crucified cmcified figure has ,been the subject of much scientific in­inquiry.The Church, keeper of theShroud, has never made any claimsabout the cloth except that it came totight light in14th Century when it wasowned by a French knight. As part pan of ,the Vatican'squestfort.ruth, truth, threelabo­laboratorieswere retained to carbon-dateposrage postage stamp-size pieces of the cloth.Independently, the labsdetennined determined thatthe Shroud is only 800 years old, plus orminus 200 years. It is possible that theamazing Shroud may have been one ofcountless forgeries hawked dqring during theMiddle Agesas m authentic itemS' itemsbelong- belong­ping to or associated with Jesus Christ.~;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;TheItalic Way 6 Fa" 19886Fall 1988

anWor-ld World N

1-aTHE SOCIETY FOR ITALIC STIJDIES STUDIESP.O.Box818Floral Park, NY 11001Gentlemen:Forum of the People PepleNational Broadcasting Co., Inc.30 Rockefeller PlazaNew York, NY 10112September 26, 26. 1988 waswe -rtI l am rep! replying on behalfof Brandon Tartikoff to your recent expresssions of concern over alleged stereotyping of theItalian community through such NBC programs as THE TORTELUS, TORTELLIS, "Blood “Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafla MafiaWtfe", Wife”, and THE Tl-IEGOLDEN GIRLS.While "Tortelli" "Tottelli" happens to be an Italian ltaliansurname, surntune, the humorofof lhis this now-cancelled situation comedy was not directedat Italians. Nick and Loretta Lorena Tortelli, and their oddball relatives and friends, friends. were "off the wall" originals who fit no category.The show was neither written nor performed in such a way as to evoke cliche, and we do not believe it provoked that kind ofresponse in the general audience."Blood Vows“ Vows" wasastorya story about thefamily ofaa Maf~a:'Don" Mafia_"Don" who isofltalian descent The 'lheproducers, however, werecareful to play down the ethnic aspect and avoid fostering stereotypes. At one point in the story the FBI agent notes that he"Blood “Blood Vows was a story about the family of a Mafia 'Don' ‘Don’ who is of Italiandescent. The producers, however, were careful to play down the ethnic aspect...”"himself is of Italian background, and he makes the point that the criminal characters are in no way typical of the majority ofItalian-Americans, who are honest and law-abiding.THE Tl-IEGOLDENGIRLS GIRLS presents two delightful andwitting wining Italian-American women, Dorothyand hermotherSophia,in a setting of affluence and sophistication. Estelle Getty's Getty‘s character, Sophia, may indeed have an acrid tongue, but her gibesare never directed solely at one particular ethnic group or character. In fact, she flings her verbal darts in all directions, withanyone or anything liable to be a targetIn every large group of people there are good and evil. evil, intelligent and stupid, serious and comic. comic, and an accurateportrayal of any elhnic ethnic category would include an all of its human variety. Along with careful standards and safeguards againststereotypes, NBC tries to ensure that particular ethnic groups are represented on the NBC-TV schedule with diversity andbalance. Italians and Italian-Americans have been presented in NBC shows in many shades of character and many walks oflife. Italian-American characters on NBC have worked in a wide range of honest professions, from banker to bartender, fromnaval officer to scientists, from rock star tojudge. In in the past year there were at least as many appearances ofltalian-Americanlta1'mn-Americancharacters in positive law-enforcement roles as in criminal roles. Captain Frank Furillo of HILL STREET BLUES and MikeTorello Torcllo of CRIME STORY were both the heroes in their respective prime-time series.We appreciate that you do want to share your concerns with us. NBC, as you know, makes it its business to keep incontact with groups that have special concerns about television. Our Special Interest Group Task Force has had mutuallyproductive meetings in the past notonlyonly with such organizations as the Italian American Media Institute, Commission for Social1 Justice, National Sons of Italy, and Coati Coaliton for Italo-American ltalo-American Associations.We have taken your suggestions and concerns eoncems very seriously, mriously, and hope this leuer letter will give you a better idea of ouractive concern to represent Italian-Americans fairly. ShcerelSincerely, I ;;;;=;;;;F;;;;a;;;;u ;;;;|___Betty HudsonVice PresidentCorporate & 8: Media RelationsFa" 198819 ;;;; ===================;;;;The 9 Italic Way ‘*-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:889_

* 4..·~·;.., .. ~... :~ ..."" \'1..n.-emIMAGES: INIAGES: A PICTORIAL IUS­ HIS-TORY OFITAUAN ITALIAN AMERICANSCenter for Migration Studies, 1986, 1986.2SS 25$ pages, pages. illus. .The streets were paved withgold.Or so early immigrant lore bad hadturn-of-the-century turn-of-the-eentury paesani pacsani believing-—until they thcyreachedlillislslandandEllis Island andxenophobia reared its empty head.Names were changed to preserve theignorant and labelsaffixed afiixed to brand theinnocent. And Ilalian Italian immigrants,whoseancestors bad haddiseovered,nameddiscovered. and pioneered this land. became unwel­unwelcomealiens when they tried to people it.* r R» * i ti‘E“ 3’’.. “Ml . F-§' -e.-I Q t ‘Questionable luetlceBookspretty picture bookgenre by focusing onwords and historical music.the unifying theme of Italic migration. Clearly,Jmages Images is a at lyrical celebra­celebra-Beginningwiththediscoveryofthe oftion ofthe singularly dynamic andresil­resil-the New World, Italians havejourneyedjoumeyedient Italic people.The emphasis, ofto the Americas in search of opportuniy opponuniy course, course. is on the l.aUet latter 19th andearlyand adventure. WJ.tneSs Witness Enrico Tonti. Tonti,20th Century migrations. However, byexplorer and Indian figllter, fighter, Giacomomaintainingthethrmdthe thread ofhistorical con­eontinuitythroughout, Images is able tosource of the Mississippi, and Francisidentify and examine the significanceofVigo, revolutiooary revolutionary war hero. And let's • s the entire mass movement. Wasitcolo-colo­not forgettheoriginalthe original lonesomecowboy,nization by other means or culturalCharlesA.Siringo. Thisriderofthegreat'l1iisriderofthegreatenrichment?Whatever the answer,westerncattlerangecoald cattlerangecould well have beenImages conveys a refreshing messageportrayed by John Wayne. Indeed, Indeed. had -— Americana Arnerimna all'Jtaliana alfltaliana.they been ballyhooed in school texts, all-Rosario A A. laconis Iacotttltthese historical heroes might have ap-rF======================l"1 — — lBeltrami Beltrarniandhisvoyagestofindtheand to thepeared in a John Iolut Ford film saga.Images succeeds because itreaches beyond the banality of standardethnic editions. Alongside the gritty tintypesof unwashed peasants are colorfulposter reproductions of major Italictin­evetUS. events.One can even be forgiven afascinalioo fascination with Italo ltalo Balbo's spectacu­spectacularRome-Chicago-NewYork-Rome.*\Happily, I-lamily,thatisonlypartoftheis ooly of theTHE ITALIAN ALlAN AMERICANSimmigrants' immigrants’ story found in Images: A- 1. J. Philip di FrancoPictorial History of aflralian Italian Arnericartr. Americans.Vanz.etti, Unlike Unlikzth-¢lrishandthteScot.rthe Irish IM ScotsFor every Sacco and Vanzetti, there's awlwLaGuardia, who cam/! came to America with a brog~U. broguz, al.aGuardia, Fermi and Giannini. Forburr bttrranda a bundleof afcaqfidatce,Italy’:confidence, Italy'severy New Orleans Massacre, a Gar­GaribaldiBrigade.For every tragedy, tragedy. aslwres .rhon:.r bill but bllS1ed busted dreams, drowns, brokentriumph of the spirit anda arealization ofEnglish and a zest zcsrfor organized ban­the American dream. Images is a beau-beauditry.dirry. TMse These Jwddled, huddled, swarthy masus normstifully illustrated, expertly producedTwo Italian shoeshlne boys,hailedfrom the nwst most lurid regions ofaareuospective. 1896. Work Instead of school.emigrants anigrantr brought rwthing nothing to 011r ourretrospective. But it transcends thelowly country in Europe's Europe’: uncivilized unciviliudaerial crossing in mass formation in 1933.tier. And being Southern Solllhem ItalianA major reason for this tome's even­even-marked them as a distinctly inferior ideriarbreed-- rwt al like attributed bread not at alllike the hardyNordichanded approach mustbeattfibuted to thepioneus pioneer: of o_,fAm¢rt'r:a'.r America's widefrontier.front~r.publishers: the magazine Italy, ,lcaly Italy andthe Center for Italian Migrations. Em­Ern-The foregoing assessment of ploying a bilingual text they allow theItalian immigrants was the norm ratherstory of one of history's greatest treks tothan the exception in elementary andunfold,savoring every anecdote andhigh school texts of the1950s andhighlighting theheretofore unknown. 1960s, 19605, and even in the 1987 edition ofLeading leading Italian-American intellectuals,The Story of English. 1. J. Philjp Philip dihistorians and professionals provide theFranco's Theltalian Italian Americanscontin- contin-Sergeant John Basllone,1943Basllona,1943 'The Italic Way 1010Fall1988Fa" 1988

‘ABooksno-H:-5/-'%,t:)$ues that tim~honored time-honored tradition and incorporateeorporatessomenewtwists.some twists. Whileless-less­- Thelloman Roman Empire was only a abtief, brief, balanced balanoedpottraitofhisheritage. portrait of heritage. Inter­Intereningour proclivity for aiminal criminal pur­pur-inconsequential interlude in Italy'sspersedwiththepatnitsofpaesmiarethe patraits paaani aresuits, we've helped to "enliven “enliven the na­na-millenia of miseria.quick and easy emy biographies biogrwhies of ltalo­ halo-in-history:The 'lheauth0rstrivestopte.sentaauthor saives to present ational timal diet" diet”Our legendary culinary- That Southern Italy was devoid ofAmerican greats: Fetmi, Fermi. Cuomo, Cuomo. Laprowess is thus elevated to a culturaleducational opportunities opptrmnities [despite com­com-Guardia,Maro0ni,Qtruso,Capra.ett:.Marconi, Caruso, etc.trait.pulsory education after aft: the reunification However, l~lowever,diFmn0oisbyn0meamanFranco is no means anAs with most of these gritty, and md higher high: schools of learning leaming that pro­pro-Italicscholar. Hishistoriealknowledgehistorical rough and tumble tomes, tomes. historical ac­acducedEurope's first doctors (Salerno)andinterestinresetuehistenuom. research is tenuous. Forcuracy takes a back seat to the hard and the Father of chemistry (Palermo, (Palermo. S. S ' example, P6. lhisbriefreferencetotheItal-reference the ...he (di Franco) has done a disservice toEheritage Q!!J: with thissimplistic version of history. Our children deserve better.scrabble homilies homilics of second- and third­thirdgenerationItalian-Americans. Forthem, them. the oral tradition of their parentsand grandparents substitutes for thettuthsofhistory. truthsofhistoty. Mr.diFrancoprovestoFranooproves be a full-fledged fuil-fledged adh~enl adherent of the "peasantant”school of thought thoughL In in his book welearn the "traditional" “traditional” view of “peas-ItalianCannizzaro.)]Canniz.nro.)]- That Italy is actually composed oftwo distinct people, "Gennanic" “Germanic” Northernercmersand darker Southerners Southemers (of Span­Spanish,Arab and Greek blood.)- That East Coast Ilal..ians Italians are moreclannish than their more entrepreneurialWest Coast kin.North-lcin.ianwareffortinWWIisthestandardre-in is the standard revisionismw

Iii1"":.~ ..... -: l; ·' imill,BnuIA;J9,‘-m‘Focus:~Italy at Work@=*‘*.*-fl->-:"In the end imagiMtion imagination is bound towin against agairtrt rationality."For a nation with no appreciable natu­naturalresources, a political system which attimes stymies the freespirit, anda adiverse— -- - -- » population only now working in syncRio Hondo Dam, ArgentinaRh "°“d° Dam’ A"g°"fl"'after 1.500 1,500 years, the words of RobertoBonini. Bonini, dean of the University of Bolo­Bologna,have a telling ring to them.Is italy Italy on a roll? Having outpacedGreat Britain in economic output, Output, is Italythe she-wolf at the doors of France andWest Germany?Will Latin inventive­inventive-_ . ness overcome Northern Northem European effi­elli-The Alfa Romeo M:Uano Mlltmociency?Since the fall of ancient Italy,Italians have had to live by their wits anddaring. Paris was once the fashion capitalbut Milan has stolen its thunder. Germanengineering may produce mechanicallysound cars but Italian machines frre lire theimagination.The U.S. may be tops inheavy construction but it is the Italianswho honor the Roman past by spanning,damming, surfacing, and redefining na­na-Motorway In in Kuwaitture on six continents.Fashion, automotives, automotivcs, construction,food p~ucts products, , computers, and the thccapital capitalinvestments that fuel the world's econ­economyare the muscle of the new Italy.Foundations of SuccessIt may surprise many that thebasis for Italy's growlh growth can be directlytraced to Benito Mussolini's CorporateState, a genuinelyRailway— - 1viaduct,-Algeria-=original but only half­halfcompletedpolitical/'economic system.TheItalianCorporate Suite State wasnot fascism with afriendly face. lace. Rather,* it served as the mechanismby which a na­Reversed engine Avanti. Stability & 8: fuelmecha-. h. h _tion bereftcg“Z321of naturalefficiency elficiency~;;;;;;;;;;;;;-The Italic Way12resources could coordinate a nationalpolicy to allocate labor and materials. ,By carefully structured stateholdingcompanies suchas IRI (Intstitutefor Industrial Reconstruction) and IMI(Italian Institute of Real Estate Develop­Development)working in tandem with such pri­private.sector firms as FlAT FIAT and AlfaRomeo, they built the foundation uponwhich Italy's current resurgence rests.The inhastructure infrastmcture of SouthernItaly was a prime beneficiary. In Cal­Calabria,for example, marshes weredrained, lakes created and electricity in­introducedto remote mountainous vil­villages.By 1939, civil aviation hadtaken a quantum leap. ‘Three Italian air­airlinesserved 71 national and internationalskyways. Olivetti, Pirelli and Agip be­be-pcame household names. And Italy;emerged as a leader in lhe the field ofnuclear‘physics with Enrico Fermi and Euore EttoreMaiorano; Majorano; and in radio communicationswith Guglielmo Marconi.These "discomforting" “discomforting" revela­revelationsabout the Facist era were broughthome to the Italians in 1984 when the:Communist-led city government goverrunent ofRome. held an unprecedented display ofFascist Italy in the Colosseum entitled"The “The Italian Economy Between theiWars."But not all success is based onthe past. Additional credit must be given ;to the native creativity of Italians both mm in 1design and busine:ss. business. Also to the ItalianRepublic which was successful in com­combattingnational chaos in the form fomt of theRed Brigades and neo-Fascists nco-Fascists whoseterrorism nearly stifled capital invest­investmentduring the 1970s, 19705, and finally, to theindividual Italian himselfwhosc whose thrift fueleclodtheeconomic cconom miracle. Italians havethe highest household savings rate ill inthe industrialized world.lu-The Italic Way 12 Fa" 1988Fall1988

*1Focusigit,,.‘$1;aOne needs only to seethemulti-faceted nature of the Italian resur­resurgencetoapprectate appreciate it accomplishments.EngineeringIn 1965, I965, the Egyptian governmentgovemmentasked the world to saveapreciousa pieceofits antiquity threatened by the newlycompletecomptetedAswan Dam.At risk werethe giant seated statues ofRamses II atAbu Simbal along the Nile River. Ital­Ital~ian engineers of the Condotte Companywere called in to handle the doublechal­challenge:to figure a way to deljcately delicately relo­relocatea 3,000 year old treasure and to doit before the Aswan Dam inundated iL it.Working day and night, the Italian­Italian-newlyledIed workforce cut the huge monumentinto more than a thousand 25-ton blocksand reasssembled it on safer ground 230feet above. What the tourist sees todayin the relocated AbuSimbal Sirnbal isengineer­engineeringonly slightly less amazing IJ>~" tl\'"\Ramses• Ramses‘ original handiwork.In all,Condoue Condotte saved 95 temples and shrines~ from the dam's ‘s waters.But building dams and water-relatedprojects are also among the many tasksJtaJjan Italian engineers are famous for.Whether its the huge Rio Hondo I-Iondo Dam inArgentina or others in Turkey or centralULah, Utah. or an underground aqueduct inCalifornia, Califomia, Italian companies are bid­biddinganti and winning conlracts corttracts around atuutttl theworld. In 1986, I986, Italians garnered gamercd 10%~ ofall theinternationally intemationally bid engineeringcontracts.New subway lines in Toronto, super­superhighwaysin Spain and Pakjstan, Pakistan, theMelbourne subway, the subway cars ofthe Washington. Washington, D.C., Metro,Cleveland's rail cars, a roadroad in theCameroon, oil refmeries refineries throughoutNorth Africa, and the Middle East, shoefactories in Russia are all the work ofItalian engineering. In this Iauer latter project6,500 truckloads of building and maintenanctcnancematerial made the trek fromItaly toinncrRussia. inner Nothing was left lcft tothe whim of the notoriously main-inadequateRussian supply system, even light bulbswere shipped in.Recent press was given to OccidentalPetroleum Chainnan Chairman Armand Hammerwhenhecloseda a major gasandand oil explo­explorationcontract cotttzract with the U.S.S.R..R.Hammer's "silent" partners in this $6billion dealareare two Italian companies­—ENI and Montedison. ln In Red China, anItalian finn firm beat out Japan's Mitsubishiand a French competitor to win a contractto buildamajora power generating station.FashionSome 40% of Italy's exports aroundthe world are fashion related.ItalianNASA's Tethered S2teffite Satellite conceptshoes, silk, fabric, outerwear, lingerie,and accessoriesareare known and sought theworld over. Names like Gianni Versace,‘t .Gior­I v 'Benetton, Emilio Pucci, Valentino, GiorgioArmani,and and Fendi have thrust Italianfashion so farout in frontthattheprimacythattheprimacy I I _ ".;;,',§,of Paris is of another day.la-WOne-third of the world's silk is pro­pro-'..--‘*1’ ~-'-1;-1’ .E»?‘\\*= ~ 'duced in Italy, a reminder that whatever whatevm‘ 1..\F ' . .___the Italians learned from the Orient cen­centuriesago has not been lost nor wasted... ".r>.-"‘- - -3-é. it‘kg .2 ,_‘3‘+-I32‘! .'£'‘I “‘E=$:§e' - I-“’.4‘3‘. .. .The descendents descendants of Marco Polo are returnintumingto the not-so-mysterious Eastwith an array of fashion goods aimed at avast new market.The Japanese espe­especiallyhave an eye for the Latin style.Armani has increased his business inJapan by 33% in one year.DesignerEnrico Coveri has recently signed anagreement with the Itoh Group that maytranslate into 100 I00 million dollars' dollars‘ worthof sales, more than doubling Coveri's C0veri'sRelocating history: Egypt's Egypt‘: Abu1987 worldwide busi-busi~Slmbel Slrnbclness. Gilmar, an outer­outerwearfum firm based nearre-Forli', Forli‘, has concludedan accord with Toyotafor distribution of itstrousers, jackets,andknitwear.No market is beingoverlooked by the mer­merchantsof fashion. Over(continued on page 23) 73}Al\>lX, AMX, Italian combat aircraft';;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;F:;;a~n~ ~ 8 ~ Fall 1988-8 The Italic Way;;;;;;;;;==========;;;;;;;;;======== The Italic Way--~131 3

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lltB1‘-I AtsaPerspectivesPersp·ectivest, zllI1.t4553%iANewsday article reprinted and distrib­distributedby The Italic Way.TO MAKE A DIFFERENCEBySusan MillerHenry Viscardi Jr. often sayshe has led two lives.The ftrSt first one started 76 yearsago, when Visardi's mother gave birthto a boy with short. short, twisted legswrapped around his abdomen.The boy, whose parentswerepoor Italian immigrants.immigrants,spent his first six years in a hospi~ hospital.tat. The doctors operated repeat­repeatedly;pain was constant.At lastthe stumps were straightened andmade strong enough ro to be fittedwith padded boots that resembledboxing gloves.' 'His l-lis playmates lOwered toweredover him, and because his armsnearly touched the ground theyl called him "Ape “Ape Man!' Man.” EvenNhcn when he was full grown~ grown, he stoodonly 3 feet, 8 inches tall."I “I used to ask mymother, 'Why ‘Why me?' me?’ said Viscardi, de­dclightedto ro repeat an often-rold often-told tale. talc."And “And in her simple peasant voice sherold told me that when it was time for anothercrippled boy to be born bom in the world, thelL0rd Lord and His counselor held a meetingto decide where he be should be sent. TheLord then said He thought the Viscardiswould be a good family for alittlecrippled boy."For more than 20 years-as — as aNew York street urchin, college studentand young tax expcrt—hc pen-he propelled propcllcd hissturdy torso through city crowds andignored ridicule and stares of pity.He was27 when whcn his second lifebegan.Dr. Roben Robert Yanovcr, an ortho­orthopedicsurgeon in Elmhurst [New York],told the disabled young man that hisstumps, worn down by constant use,would only Last last another six months."With “With all the running around I'd beendoing on these stumps, hethought Iwould be confmed confined to a wheelchair ifnothing was done," done,“ Viscardi said.y Yanover, anover' now a neighbor ofViscardi's in Kings Point. Point, thought theyoung man could be fitted with a pair ofartificial Limbs. limbs. The doctor madesketches and specifications, and togetherDr. Viscardi Vlscardt joins In a lessonthey started the rounds of the artificiallimb-makers.One after another, theseartisans examined Viscardi's stumps slumps andgave. the same verdict: verdict; impossible.Buttheydidn'tgive they dido up. Fi!Jally, Finally,an old German immigrant named GeorgeDorsch said he could do it.Within a few weeks, the artifi­artificiallegs were wcrcrcady ready for l'orViscardi to try on.His stumps were wcrc slipped into the cushioneioitcdsockets and strapped fast.Dorsch hclpcd helped him to stand andViscardi LOOk took his first steps toward a :1 full­full-cushlengtlcngihmirror at the thc end of the room. He Hcst.ancd startcd to cry when he saw his reflection. rcllcction.Here I-Icrc was a new man, he thought to him-self, who stood two feet taller. "For “For thefirst time, my mother looked up, up. up ro tosee her son," son,“ Viscardi said. "I "l lookeddown at the rop top of her head." head.”Viscardi could wind the clockon the manteL; mantel; he could grasp the suapon the subway train; he could even workthe dial in a phone booth. "These thingshad always been beyond my reach," hesaid. "An “An exciting new world opened upand with it, a new life began."He learned to dance; he built aboat and sailed on Long IslandSound, and was promoted ro tohead the New York tax divisionof the Home Owners LoanCorp., a program set up duringthe Depression to cope withhome foreclosures.When Viscardi askedYanoverhow he could settLe settle thebill, "Herold “He told me my bill wouldbe repaid if I made the differ­differencefor another individual." individual.”Viscardi, who (was [washonored in Augustl988] 1988] by theWesthampton Wcsthampton [New York]Family Counseling Service, hasnot taken Yanover's Yanovcr’s wordslightly.World War II started, and Vis· Viscardiwas rejected by the Anny, Navy,Air Force and Marines. Finally the RedCross accepted him as a field-serviceofficer, but warned wanted that his chances ofworking with amputees were slim.Like all Red Cross personnelslated for overseas duty, Viscardi had totake GI basic training. He took the longhikes at Fort Dix without grumbling.His story got around. Instead of beingposted overseas, he was sent to workwith armless and legless leglcss veterans atWalter Reed Hospital in Washington,D.C.The sight of those young menwould return to haunt Viscatdi Viscardi manytimes. "More “More than anything else in mylife, lifc, I l was so affected by those beautiful!;;;;;;;;;;;;=;;;The Italic Way16Fall 1988

PerspecUves; ecttves ' •0 "wt.-'....y~ung young men maimed so early in life," life,” heHenry Viscardi Viscatdi High School -— is under ~ ~ K"sal(i. said.constrnctionnexttothecentecandistobe oonstructionnertttothecertterandistobe -Itwaswhilehewasatthehoswhile he at the bos- finished finisbedlin [in theFaIlof1988.] Fail Theschool,pital that he met First Lady Eleanor Elmnor the tlrefirstofitskindirttlteeounlnhwillits in the country, •..1{Roosevelt. Roosevelt, who heard ofhis work andhouseabout 100 ofrhe the 250 2S0studentsand_'/'"invited him to thewhite White House fortca. teaallow more room for offices offiees in theolderShe would become a great friend, oftenbuilding.visiting Viscardi, Viscardi. his wife, Lucile, andViscardi has been an adviser tofour daughters.every president-beginning — with Fran-He stayed at the hospital untilklin Roosevelt -— on the affairs of thethe end of the war, then entered priva~e privatenation's disabled population. Althoughbusiness-he - had to escape from thehe never graduated from college-he - pain and suffering.attended Fordham University for three"But “But [the memory of] oi] those yearsandStJohn'slawschoolfortwo­yearsandSt.John's lawschooll‘ortwo—young men kept lreptooming coming back." back,“Viscardihe has been presented with 19 honoraryAn affectionate altectlonate Interruptionlmerruptlonsaid. Theaverageamput.eegotahero's amputee got a hero'sdegrees. Fordham joined l.hallist that list 22homecoming but then was forgotten asyears after Viscardi was forced to leavean "unemployable" “unemployable" cripple, he said.the university because he was behind in(he cherishes his daily half-mile swimIn 1952 l952 he gave up hisjob astuition payments. 'Tm “I'm earning my edu­edu-with the kids) and is ever-active in hispersonnel director of the Burlingtoncation by degrees," degrees,” Viscardi says jok­ jok-quest to raise funds for the school. HeMills textilefirm, lirrn . borrowed $8,000and, and.ingly.often travels to other countries, countries. sharingin a vacant West Hempstead garage, hehis personal experiences and knowl­knowl-started Abilities Inc., lnc., to prove that, that. ifedge about rehabilitation and educa-given the chance, the physically handi· handitioncappedcancan worlcefficiently work ellficiertdy in industry."“... he propelled his[In August 1988], Viscardi'sHis original workforce of fivecontributions to the disabled on Longhas grown to 150 I50 handicapped workers,sturdy torso throughIsland [New Yorlc] York] was recognized bywho now do everything from electron­electron-The Family l’-‘amily Counseling Service inics to data processing in a beautiful,city crowds and ig­ig-Westhampton Beach, which bestowedmodem modern plant in Albertson [New York:]. York].upon him its sixth Family of ManAdjacent to the plant stands nored ridicule andaward. For Viscardi, who has receivedthe Human Resources Center, which he- in­stares of pity." pity.”countless awards and citations — includinga literary award for one of hischological changes occurring amongeight books andthe Horatio Algerthe employees as a result of their work.Award for Distinguished Americans­~There is also a vocational-rehabilitationprogram, insti­office thefounded to study the physical and psy-this honor has special meaning because‘ program. a research and training institute.and an industry-labor council.Human Resources Center are photos ofBeinecke, for whom the counselingOn the walls ofhis ofliceatthehe was a good friend of the late laté Edwin J.tute,In ln September, 1962, I962, ViscardiViscardi introducing former Presidentservice's headquarters is named.launched a makeshift school with 21Jimmy Carter, shaking hands with Ger­Ger-Forallt.hathehasdone.Vis-that he has done, Vis­children in one room of the center.ald Ford and Lyndon Johnson, Johnson. smilingcardi still is not ready to quiL quit. "I "l have havcnotToday about 250 severely disabledwith Rosalyn Carter, and standing next"So youngsters -— from pre-kindergartenRoosevelL repaid the doctor," he said. “So long asto Eleanor Roosevelt. There is also aI through high school-are -— bused frompicture of severaldisabled there is one individual whose life l canchildrenas far as 50 miles away toauend attendtuition­tuition-laughing as they circle Viscardi, Viscardi. and change; so long as there are prejudicesawhich divide us into abled and disabledfree classes in the handsome brickportrait of Viscardi drawn by a blindpeople, my work: is far from finished. finished" ..building.Eighty percent of these sru­stu-and deaf artist.dents graduate and go on to college.Viscardi is semi-retired now. now,Copyright 1988. I988, Newsday. Inc. inc.A new $6 million junior andalthough he still spends several hours asenior high school - to be called theweek at the Human Resources Centerji-~=;;;F::a~ll1~9::ss~=================---- The Italic Way;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:Fall 198817Li-it-4is-"*-“-*"”"'%-Ia‘ItL

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\L0A'_// A?_,*'_ _' ' 11‘ 11 wiYouth ProgramYouth ProgramCluistonlter coluntbusmscovsns AMEPJC-A -- 1- -1CQLUMBUS ms Be-Ru in GEUOA, rraw.Hrs FA11-lElZ'5 Fwitv MAM-E was cnLum80 M0nis moments Fouitkv Mme was Fwmumssa.__-Arm Emzlw AGE, Cblumeus uEm"ro SEA,AT M £Af2.LY AGt, ~s l..lENrTb SEA,Ge-bA. Giakumruns WP-S A A.saQm'§EAFbu£RAu:>uzQGf2Dl.1" se-A l=bWeR AND t-I£R.S\.lipS 9HiP6 ~Lro 5-Aiuera Tb TO E\1~ E\.IERH\ ~llf P1=\m'o+'11-ts Of" "M:: ~ mom)~Rl.D IDOIZLD TO -ro 60',1 Buy-rseu. ~ SELL Mf:RCAANOiSE. MEt2u4moESE.‘n-'eC'ni+3 1\-E en6of" or I~L\/ rrnw Li~Ge-XA Liar-:eanA¢ • veJice vemce e£C/J((I£ seams !ilcl-{ ale“St.cAllSE:oF B-ECAUst-:0? TH‘ 1S TAAOt:. TRAD r; c (~ \K}~--------' %/s/'vIunu""'¢~_'.."|-'_‘A-4;-—~ l..r_%*~r-.. .Ooumlmaautemmcarnasdmtw c°“""$“'-5 “"5 5° 9‘°l'"?° WTGSMNEUJSmm ‘Nut’ ue TYZJHD To Oonwotr Ft_1-rust=u..,amv\ma>s4ips11-ms.=iLmn-sF¢nA5Rfiflggpnb SfiQQ'E16%E.WM\$HW51bSfiiJbl0€uw0 E» Tl-lEm‘lANt"|c. . Peosrrtuh-11'mE O,-\\nAB(t-.\A\{c£'tll€ .A1'l.N~!T\C»Ot>€ArJ.B|Jt'N0W22a~t>ABoov-uni-rraebv1t\£e&>enPava1 OMEHAOFN-T“-MR-m_Tbscmeui. Toacmam Beuaw “arm:memo was ‘Rout-_\t> A|~lt>_'TWIt' A St\'\Qm.1u3-_ Cl-WA tn sqitu-tr, me, opposn-e, ' Dttecriou.u"'r"‘II 5%I " spam MWrmum Busiacssmeré. C0l»m%uS tzmseo muc.“ or1ue~w»uw Us Mezneblfibnxwuemn.ms rwsr cme Rum weQWIMOuumnul§£T'&ML»uku1uma§:nweL:ups.aPn#_mmv Dt1\‘1'5¢°r\'$%,bJ\Tli1\rr$.\EEl'\3él-N~i|3,11AECflEl~J \uw€AWMoAm@www0 '1nQsmmrmS%NlT&hmw\Ram%Dw WHO . _EW£u-twu0Ctt1.lll-91-,T\-\€ "finvttef t" +-H \M$m$‘wmnan.—n~> ' ‘ 5,\$lAr-\D l~\1’\4EI466Ji;;“-is I, _ '_. =~?M§° f_".c> ~\___, »" A; _ Q? 0 Q.LE/~£4/‘L213 ‘ ‘-" ~~= B»-~ "'~;;;;o;;;;;;;;;;;;;~Fa~II~19::S~s ‘W ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; The Italic Way;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;! Way—_'Fall 198819

iul~!an'*" _' \:1.s 1.. .'1'.‘eNews of the Society~·... :..t~~::l5t1.-.¢.4-.~.__.._.__.,.s.-.4nACTION AGENDACommittees to bestslfed staffed and chaired: (you must be a member of the Plenary Council)Membership Committee - To recruit for both general membership and Plenary CounciL Council.Social Sous’lCommittee -To initiategroupactivitiesandtours.activities and tours.Fundraisiltg FundraisiDg Commi.ttee Committee -To- develop raffles, rattles, gift items, and solicitations.Business & Career Committee- - To foster interaction among the membership and assist in jobplacementDevelopment Developmut Committee - To resean:h research new areas of development for the Society.Intergroup lntergrottp Committee - To foster joint efforts between the Society and other organizations.‘ Assistance Cooun.ittee- Ctmminee- To relate to the needs of the community-at-large.Aside from front theabove committees, ctmmittees, our majorpmgmms programs needadditioual additional manpower. manpowett The Italic Way, Project Italla. ltalia,Aurora, and Ara P:lds. Pads. (These programsdomtrequite nat require membership in the Plenary Council).0New Member ApplicationitttltiiName----------- General Membership Membe1ship(non-voting) D [1 $10 _AddressPlenary Council (voting & 8: officehold.ing) ofliceholding) [J U $50 S50Interested in: programcommittee_____ _Send thisportion withyotn're:nittance(checkot'm.o. your remittance or made outtoThe to Societyfarltalic for Italic Stut:/Us, Studies, Inc.) PO P0 Box 818, Floral Park, NY 11001THEATER TRIPTheze Therewill be a specialpeview preview ofaa new Broadwayshow entitled. entitled,Hizzoner, starring stoningTonyLoBianco, Loliianco, in February. Febcruay. his It a one-man show about fonner former New York City mayorFIOrelloFiorelloLaGuardia LuGuanlia. The ‘lite Society will be purchasing a block of orchestra ~ts aegis for a Saturday nightpreview. Tickets will probably cost $35 each, each. less 10% Society membership discount. Ifanyone is interested please write:Society for Italic Studies, Inc.POBox818Floral Park. NY llOOlHoml Park‘ NY “om(Once we have your name we will infonn inform you of the exact details. N0 No obligation at thistime.) (See page 14 l4 fa for details of Mr. LoBianco's acting credits)Tony LoBianco LoBlsneo & 8 Peraonna Personns.-Pho 0byMarthaSwope=---The Italic Way 20 Fa" 198820Fall1988

l.__4';'#.P;-'r'§’flit""-G" u l ‘-1. I ,. .t . taNews oi’ the ScietyORGANIZATIONAL BLUESAs the Society forltalic Italic Studies grows there will be times whenfarm form mustrxeceed preceed substance. So it is with thecxganirationalorganizationalstructure of the Society and its various components.The organizational charthelow below is our latest effort to achieve the rightformat to carry on our urgent work.In a way w~y it is like playing around with the sbape shape of the conference table but it isunquestionably necessary. Power must flow in the proper direction, democracy must be maintained, division oflabor has tobe fair, and, of course, expandability needs to be built in.Essentially, the old Commerce & Realty Group (CRG) has been dissolved in favor of a more direct tie-in to the Societystructure. What is now catled called the Plenary Council succeeds the CRG. The Plenary Council will elect the Executive Counciland appoint chairmen to the various Society projects and committees. The Board ofGovemors Governors will include the founders anda Plenary Council member. Pragmatism will ultimately decide the tate late of this arrangement- - if it works, we'lllceep keep it! itlDECISIONS (Plenary Council meeting of 9/28188) 9/23/88)Dinner Dance: It was decided to hold the 1989 dinner dance in May at the Waldorf-Astoria. Dress is to be black tie andmore entertainment will be scheduled. No theme was decided on.Dues: Membership (non-voting) in the Society will continueat$ $10 per annum. Membecship Membership in the Plenary Council (voting& officeholding rights) will be $50 per annum.Programs: Our goals will be spearheaded by: The Italic Way, Project ltalia, Italia, Aurora Youth Program, and Ara Pacis.Members of the Plenary Council will be asked to direct or be members ofat least one program and committee. Depentting Depending ‘on the nature of the work, paid slaffers staffers may be hired to do the administrative work.Budget: The proposed budget for 1988-89 was approved. Included in the allocations were the Project ltalia Italia promotional ‘film, the Fall andwinter Winter issues ofThe Italic Way. Way, a acommemorativecoin coin for 1989-90, a atextbook tobedesigned forthe AuroraYouth program, and br~hures brochures for the AlLar Altar of Peace (Ara Pacis).BoardofCovemors Governors‘IPlenary CounCil Council ‘II ExecutiveCouncilJII I l lItalic Project AURORAThe llaiit Protest “Emu? YouthAra PacisWay Italia ProgramPriirm“Pa”==-=-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;=-=-=-=-=-=-=-;;;;;;;;;;========= 'The Italic Way;;;;;;;;;;;;Fall 19aa 21Fall198821

i _Pi.3»..;_¢.Ell’itlilflltl~..,v•. i\'-IQLUP'1}!~-»--"-~~ Annuncemeuts€§.1"l'$l?l3eTHE TI-IE NATIONALITALIANITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION, INC. (NIAF)Olaionan: Chairman: Jeno Ieao F. Paulucci PeuluceiPresident: Frank D. StellaNIAFreeentIyhonoredl4'zaMinellil1theirarn1ualGalnonOetober22ndattheHi1tonir1Washir1gnort,D.C. recently Liza at their a.nnual Gala October at the Hilton Washington. Alsohcmored honored werefllympic OlympicGoldMedalistBrianBoitano,CongressmanPetuRodino(onhisretirementafter40yearsofservice).andBettinoCraxi.fromerPrimeMiniste.rCioldMedalisIBrianBritsno,Cor|gressnanPeterRodino(onhisretir-ernentaftertlllyears ofservice),andliettinoCmxi, liromerPrimeMinisterofltaly. ofItaly.A multi-etlmic multl-ethnic confm:nce conferenceentided, entitled, Rediscovering Redtlrcaveringfi-mer'ica, America, was held at the Raybum Rayburn House I-louse Office Oflice Building in Washington. Washington, D.C. Cosponsoredby the Christopher Cohunbus Columbus Quincentenary Quincenterlnry Jubilee Commission, the conference explored the roots of America. Among thespeakers wererepresmmivesoftheltalian-American,Hispanic,Afro, represezllatives Italian-American, Hispanic. Afro, Jewish. Jewish, andNative Americancommunities. communities. 'The Ambassadors An1busadorsol'Sp|in of Spainand Italy were in atteudance.attendance.An InternationalBoldofAdvisors, Board of to be chaired by Italiancareer caroerdiplornntUmberto diplomat LaRocca, I_.aRooca, willbe establishedto to exploreprivate private sectorprograms between the U.S. and Italy. Advisors Advisers will also be recruited from Canada and South America to expand the programs.NIAF's Directoryof qfltaEanAmerican ltalianAmeriCilll OrganizaJions Organizations is now in its second printing. For information call JohnSalamone Snlarrtone (202 (2% 638-0220)ORDER, SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA (OSIA) PresidentS. Joseph AvaraCo­The Order is losing the services of Michael Caira Cairn who resigned as National Executive Director on September 2nd. Mr. Caira Cairn served theSons of Italy ably for over 3 years.He is amently currently heading up the election campaign of J~ Joe Malone, candidate for the U.S. Senate inMassachusetts. Salvatore Ambrosino, Amhrosino, National Associate DirectOr, Director, has been appointed acting Director at this time.Judge Dominic R. Massaro, Maseru, President Pnsidentof the Order's Order‘: Commission for Social Justice and the Order's Order‘: National Historian. Historian, offered access tothe Order's Order‘: newly establishedArchivesto An:hives to the Catholic UniversityofAmerica'sItllian—AmericanHeritageCentor. Italian-American Center. The new Carter Center is a privateinstitution associated with the University. It is dedicated to the preservation, transmission, transrnission, and advancement of knowledge relating to theItalian-American Italian-Amer-icm experience. 'The ‘Dre Order's Order‘: Archives are housed at the UniYersity Uniyersiry of Minnesota at SL St. Paul. It is the largest collection of itskind on North America. 3National PresidentAvara, Avon, lamenting hmmting the lack ofgroper proper publicity of the Order's Ordu's good works in the press, has requested all state sure presidentsto In submit reports oftheirpublic relations activities. lctivitira. The Order has been supportive ofboth Italic and non-lt.alic non-Italic charities including butnotlimited to Cooley's CooIey's Anemia, Birth Defects, disaster relief, and scholarships.ITALIAN GOVERNMENTEver mindful rnindfirl of the great numbers ofltalic Italic people living throughout the world (one estimate is that there are 60 million overseas Italiansand Ind descendants of immigrants) the Italian Govenunent Goverrunent is a.t.tempting attempting to establish better ties with them.A recent conferenceheld in the Abruzzo Abruno region entitled, entitled. L'ltalia L'Italiafuori f~U>ri D'ltalia D'!tab'o (Italy outside ofItaly) was attended by some 400 Italiansresiding in 22 countries countris around nrotmd the world for the purpose pwpose of discussing problems of emigration and Italian language media.The ItalianParliammt Parliament has been exploring the implementation of a computernetwork to trace Iraoe worldwide migrations in the past. Roots Roars andHeritage forms to gather personal historicaldata darn would bedistributed disaibuted to descendants of immigrants aro\Dld around the world.To promote the teadl.ing teaching ofltaliM Italian Srudies Studies in the United States, theIWiM Italian Government~ is establishing ITALNEI‘, AlliEr, a s computer network toupdatedetailsoflutlianlanguageand details ofltalian language and culture culmreeducationopportunities. education oppornmities. The system will be located at the ItalianCultural Culrurallnstitutes Institutes ofNewYork,York.San Francisco, and Chicago. The program wjll will track events. events, classes, libraries, periodicals, films and all other aspects ofItalian Studies. Nocompletion date has been announced.Italy: OM One Hll.lldred Hundred Years offiwlography Photography is an exhibit, exhibiL under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institute, Institute. detailing photos of Italy bothlandbound and from fiom satellites !raveling traveling across lhe the U.S.ITALIAN-AMERICAN ALlAN-AMERICAN INSI'ITUTEINSTI'l‘UTEHeaded by Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa. Scelsa, the Institute is part of the City University ofNew York located at 33 West42nd Street, NY, NY 10036.Tel## it (212) 382-0627.The Instirute Instituterecendy recently interviewed Mrs. Matilda Cuomo who discussed New York's Decade of afthe Child and DueCase. Case, UM UnaTradizione,Tmdiziane,programs on lheir their TV magazine show. show, ITAUCS. ITALICS.The 21st annual conference of the American Italian HistOrical Historical Association was held in October. Entitled, I1alianAmericans ItnlimAmeriam.rinin Transitionthe conference explored ethnicity and Italic studiesCOLUMBUS: COUNTDOWN 1992 I992Inspired and led by tireless. tireless, Italian-born Italian-hom educator Dr. Dr- Anne Paolucci. Paolucci, the Countdown was started in 1985 I985 and has succeeded in garneringsupport on both sidesof the Atlantic. Its tasks are to disseminateinfonnation irtforrnation on the Great Discover and to prepare a fitting and lasting tributeto his genius. Among the ways Dr. Paolucci Paoluoci has found to lo accomplish twcornplish these goals are: a none-act play that she wrote called, Cipango, a libraryofbooks and scholarly works, and various artwork that has been produced for the occasion.The Countdown's Countdowrfs 41h 4lh Annual Awards Dinner was held on September30th 30t.h to honor Dr. Fredi Frodi Chiapelli, a leading Columbus' Columbus‘scholar. scholar.For more information irtformation about the programcal] call 718 8 767-8380 or write Columbus: Countdown 1992, 166-25 166-75 Powells Powell; Cove Blvd, .. Beechhurst,NY 11357.~----The Italic Way 22 Fa" 198822Fall1988

0Italy at Work(continued from page 13)iii-fir;-'fi"lT_-_-u/"\r-#450 million pairs of Italian shoes weresoldinthetJnitedStateslastyear,deUnited last de­spite cheap competition from the tlte FarEast To satisfy the idle rich, VenetianFernando Caovilla Cktovilla craftS crafts limited edi­edition,signed and numbered shoescosting $740 a pair. Torino's 'I‘orino's GFT GFI‘group has even made inroads into Chinawhere one of ol'their men tnenwear factories isproducing 200.000 suits annually forthe better dressed Chinese. Mantero, asilk producer. has even obtained ap­approvalfor a silk factory in Yangtsou,China. What goes around comesaround.per year.FIAT, which also owns Lancia. Lancia, Alia AlfaRomeo, Runeo, and is a major sh~holdcr shareholder oflveco Iveco (trucks), (truclts), reported $28.5 billion insales for 1987 and bright prospectS prospects for1988. (In fact, fact. first quarter sales putFIAT in the number one position ofEu·Europefollowed by Peugeot andVolkswagen). Among FIAT's FIA'l“s big mov­moversare the Uno and Tipo, with technicalinnovations that promise to increaseFIAT's market share of medium-sizecars. The Italian auto industry is evenmaking a dent in the tough Japaneserecords, one of the more famous beingltalo Italo Balbo's mass formation flight ofseaplanes across the Atlantic. Even inWorld War li II Italy produced militaryaircraft like the transport Canguru,which was a mainstay of even the Ger­GermanLuftwaffe, and the Macchi 202fighter that was among the best in thewar.Today, most of Italy's military air­aircraftare joint ventures with its Euro­Europeanallies like the Tornado and AMXfighters.Last October, October. Gruman Aircraftannounced a new joint venturewith Gruppo Agusta to develop a newAir­Italians have the highest household savingsrate in the industrialized world.AutomobilesItaly was the ftrst first Western Westcm nation topie.rce pierce the Iron Curtail Curtait commercially.Nodoubttheltalian theltalianCommunistParty'sComtrtuttislPar1y'sconnections gave Italians an edge overthe less pragmatic states of the WesternAlliance.Twenty years ago, in fact,FIATbuilt the first modem auto plant inTogliattigrad, 600 miles south ofMoscow. The Russians even changedthe name of the old town rechristeningrechristcningit after an Italian communist leader.The factory, the third largest in the in­internationalmotor industry, is still buzz· buzzingaway producing its full capacity of721,000 cars per year. The car, theLada, Leda, was based on a FIAT design butmodified for Russian taste and Russianwinters.Not only are the Russianshappy about the Ladas but they aretaking a cue from Yugoslavia whichexportS exports the Yugo (also b3Sed based on an oldFIAT design) to Nonh North America and aremaking plans to flood our shores withtheir national car. The Russians have towork out the distribution problems butplans are for a minimum ofS0,000 50,000 sales';==;;;;F~a;;;;ll;;;;Fall 1988marlceL market.Italian cars account for nearly4% of the total automobile importS imports inJapan.(West Germany has the lion'sshare with 76%.)But it is Italian style that gives Italy itS itsworldwide influence. From theVolkswagen series to the interior of theHyundai,ltalysetsthestandard. Italy the standard. BodybyFisher hasn't got a chance againstPinin­Pininfarinaor Bertone.Cadillac's Allante, Allantc,although not very successful with it'soverpriced Italian body, has the classiclook that auto lovers take a fancy to.Chrysler's Lee Iaccoca knows the feelingand has even bought into Mascrati Maserati andLamborghini. But it is Ferrari, the lonewolf, that epitomizes the Italian automo­automobiletradition of ol' style blended withpower.AerospaceThe Italians were always pioneers 10 inair travel. The Bellanca of the 1920's wasthe plane of choice of Charles Linbcrgh, Linbergh,although one was not available for hishistory-making flight. ln In the 1930's l930's Ita!· Italianaviators and machines broke many airjettrairterfor trainer the t.heU.S. AirForce. Ifthisteam wins the competition it will meana a$2.7 billion Ilion contracL contract. In anothercooperativeeffort.effort, Italians produce essentialcooperat.ivepans parts for the civilian DC·l DC-10, the Boeing747 and Boeing B-767. On its own,llaly Italy is at the leactingedgeofhelicopterleading edge technology (Agusta) and artd light aircraftsuchasthe ten-passengerviatorand Viator and thereversed-engine Avanti. These innova­innovativeplanes are even causing waves inthe American market. market-Space, too, calls the Italians. Al· Althoughit docs not produceits own spacerocket, Italy is among the select few tohave alaunch pad (off the coast ofKenya) and a space satellite program.Moreover, Italians are working with theUnited States on the Tethered Satelliteproject, a part of the Space Shuttle program,angrnm_andw1th withtheWestGerrnanstode-the Germans to de·velop a shuttle and space lab called thepro-Columbus.High-TechThe Italians have very quietJy quietly in· invadcdour wax way of life.Anyone withvaded(next page)19 ;;;; ;;;; 8===================;;;;;; Tlze The Italic Way;;;;;;;;;~23(next page)

l|184llltiiiM -' '-1:‘we/-%_.»-/eItaly at Work(continuedirompcgczi)from page 23)good eyesight may notice the Made inItaly label on Amtrakarrival arrival anddepar­departureboards. (Ironically, making malcing "trains ‘trainsrun on time" time‘ is not supposed suppose! to be anItalian forte). Even the tbe Long IslandRailroad uses these clever computer­computerizedflip boards made mack: by Solari. Similiarlyiarly.under thenamcofA.T.&T..Oliv-name .• Olivettihas been slipping us personal andbusiness computers since the earlySimil-'80's. ‘8(l’s. Olivetti is Europe's leading producerof data processmg processing and officeautomation equipment. Olivetti isspearheading Italy's drive to dominatemajor sectors ofEurope's economy byway of international intemational corporate alli­alliances.Italy was third among Europeancountries in 1987 I987 (after (afta West Germanyand France) in installation of new tele­telecommunicationsequipm~nt. equipment. By 1990,itisexpectedtosurpassfianceandeamis to surpass France and earnnearly $7 S7 billion from this high-techfield.General Motors scoured the worldlookingforthemostadvancedassemblyassemblyline robots to modernized its plants.Whatthey they choseto buywas theCcmau Comauby FIAT. Anotherinnovation with carsis the amazing computer-operated Up­Up-produccatzrsystemout ofFrosinone, ofFrosiuonc, Italy. Thisrectangular concrete box can "park" “park”(staclc) (stack) up to 80 vehicleson shelves. Thevehicles are hoisted and retrieved bymeans of a computerized forklift.Itmay be a development that is sorelyneeded in highly congested urban cen­centers.FoodAnybody with functioning tastebudswill readily admit that Italy has madeeating a great pleasure. Cuisine aside,Italians have excelled in agriculture.Zucchini, broccoli, and many popularvarietiesoffruits fruits and vegetables(Italianbeans, Italian plums, etc.) bear proof ofbeans, Italian plums, etc.) bear proofoftheir Italic origin. Even the much ma­malignedRomans, oftendenigratedfor for theirlackofscientificpursuits,wereleadersinleaders insoil conservation, conservation. crop rotation. rotation, and ani­animalbreeding.ltwasancientItaly ancient thatin­in-R8.1 Rai Corporationtroduced to Northern Europe the peach,the cherry, cbeny, the grape, the plum, and the•filbert filbcrtandwalnut. EvengraftingoftreestreesItalian Radio 1V TV Systemand greenhouses were highly developed1350 Avenue of theskills ofoldold Italy.AmericasSo it is not smprising surprising that Italy is aNew York, York. NY 10019majorexportcroffood exporter of food technology in theworld, its market share "sandwiched"between West Gennany Germany and the UnitedStates.The U.S. buys nearly 14% ofServing the public withItaly's ItaIy’s food-processingequipment, equipment. fromItalian news, films. variety,industrial machinery to the horne home pastaprogram­and children's programmingaccumulating great tracts of agriculwral agriculturalland in the United Stales States and SouthCheck your local listingsAmerica Lo to produce soybeans, rice andfor our schedule.other commodities, including livestock.Like so many olher other areas, agriculture isaninternational business for Italians.Bertolini of Turin produces yeast that ~===========~sells in such far off places as Australia. Australia,Japan, and China.Fugone & Preve. Prove. abreakfast cereal producer, recentlyboughtoutaKellogg out a factory in GermanyUnion Square Paintingmachines.Giants like Gruppo Ferruzzi have beenand is now servicing the West Germanrnarlcet market. Andofcourse. Italian foodproductslike pasta,oliveoil oil (see World NotesNewYork, N¥10018 NY10018for some surprises), tomatoes, andjarred(212) 239-3900specialties have appreciably helpedprod­505 8th AvenueItaly'sbalanceofpaymentsaswellasourotpaymemsas appetites.•••• ‘iiiTELEPHONE Tztavuom-: (516) t5I6l 294-I050 294·10!50JOHN J J. . BIORDI. M M. . D D. .OBSTETRICS oasrtzrmcs 8: a GYNECOLOGYcvrtscouocvBY or Arromrtuznr APPOINTMENT ONLY orturPARKE.-.ST Panttsrtsr MEDICAL Men CENTER czwrcn2345 JERICHO TURNPIKE Tunm-nu: _GARDEN CITY PARK. N. Y. lt0-40Ganozn can Pants. N. Y. H040The Italic Way 2424Fall1988Fa" 1988

(212) 921-0600(21 2) 921 -0600__-ASBEST08 ASBESTOS ABATEMENT1501 BROADWAYNEW YORK, NY 10036" U. S. Postage Pong: PaidNonprofit Ora. Org." PermitNo. Pcr|ni1N0. 14Roral Padc, NY110015':4 I H9 \W B “‘°':‘,o‘5?"‘ N‘The SocietyforItalic Studies, Inc.PO Box 818, ans, Floral Part. Put. NY 11001Forwarding & ReturnPostage Guaranteed