Release #386-00

 

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Michael Anton/Julie Caudell 212/788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS COLUMBUS DAY PARADE BREAKFAST AT GRACIE MANSION

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this morning welcomed members of the Italian American community to a breakfast celebrating the 56th Annual Columbus Day Parade in New York City. The Parade's theme "Celebrating the Italian Immigration Experience: An American Success Story," celebrates the important contributions of New Yorkers of Italian descent.

Joining the Mayor at today's breakfast were Columbus Citizens Foundation President Charles A. Gargano, Consul General of Italy Giorgio Radicati, former Miami Dolphin and parade Grand Marshall Dan Marino, and U.S. Senator John McCain.

"I am pleased to welcome everyone to Gracie Mansion to celebrate Columbus Day in New York City," Mayor Giuliani said. "Since the time Christopher Columbus discovered America, Italians have been shaping the culture of our City, State and Nation. Italians came here to build better lives for themselves and their families, and they worked hard to see that dream come true. It is impossible to travel the City's streets, to read about its history, to look at its buildings, to experience the cultural life of the City its theater, its music and opera without seeing the many contributions that Italians have made.

"As we celebrate Columbus Day today, it goes without saying that Italians have given their talents to every imaginable field of endeavor in the Capital of the World," the Mayor continued. "And as the third Italian-American mayor of the City of New York, I look forward to celebrating Columbus Day, a day in which we honor this rich heritage."

The Mayor will join Representative Rick Lazio and U.S. Senator John McCain in the parade, which includes marching bands, school children and colorfully-decorated floats and is enjoyed by thousands of spectators.

The Columbus Day Parade begins at noon and travels along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 59th Street where it turns west continuing to the reviewing stand at Columbus Circle, and ending at Central Park West and 65th Street.

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