The United States Senate joined in the celebrations surrounding the 150th anniversary of Italian unity, with a resolution recognising the unification and the opening of “warm and lasting” relations between the American and Italian peoples.
Resolution 394, proposed by Senator John Kerry, President of the Foreign Relations Committee, and approved by Congress, acknowledges the “enormous contribution” of Italo-Americans to the progress and growth of the United States, and the two nations’ strategic partnership within the framework of NATO and, more in general, the defence of human rights and democratic ideals.
Italian Ambassador to Washington Claudio Bisogniero personally thanked Senator Kerry for his commitment to pushing the resolution through rapidly, expressing Italy’s deep appreciation for this UN Senate initiative. The former White House candidate cited the special bond between Italy and the United States, explaining that the resolution mirrored sentiments widely shared by the Congress and was further testimony to the status of excellent bilateral relations. The Senate resolution, the Italian embassy commented further, “is the latest of many outward signs of the value that America attributes to the historic friendship between Italy and the United States”, and is a “demonstration of affection for Italy’s artistic and cultural traditions, but also for the future of Italy, a modern Italy of science, creativity and innovation. The resolution also specifies the “service and sacrifice” of Italian military contingents alongside American ones in crisis areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
