Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 1.djvu/1213

 PUBLIC LAW 96-353—SEPT. 19, 1980

94 STAT. 1163

Public Law 96-353 96th Congress Joint Resolution To authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating September 18, 1980, as "Constantino Brumidi Day".

Sept. 19, 1980 [H.J. Res. 594]

Whereas Constantino Brumidi, born in Rome, Italy, on July 26, 1805, landed at New York Harbor on September 18, 1852, as a political exile, making his flight from Italy to the United States because of his love for libertj^; and Whereas Brumidi's love for his adopted country led him to seek citizenship two years after his arrival; and Whereas the artist's love for liberty joined his love for art and his love of country as he spent the last twenty-five years of his life embellishing the United States Capitol, including the corridors of the Senate wing, the formal offices of the President and the Vice President, the Senate reception room, the present House and Senate Appropriations Committee rooms, and the rotunda; and Whereas in 1877, at the age of seventy-two, Brumidi began his last work, the fresco frieze encircling the top of the rotunda, and fell from a slipped scaffolding three years later while attempting to complete part of the work, and though not injured, suffered a shock so great that he was never able to return to work; and Whereas Brumidi died as a result of this experience three months later in February 1880; and Whereas the Congress recognizes the artist's devotion and talent which earned him the nickname of the "Michelangelo of the Capitol of the United States"; and Whereas the year 1980 marks the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the birth, and the one hundredth anniversary of the death of Constantino Brumidi: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President Constantino is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating Brumidi Day. Designation September 18, 1980, as "Constantino Brumidi Day" and calling upon authorization. the people of the United States, State and local government agencies, and interested organizations to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. Approved September 19, 1980.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): Sept. 3, considered and passed House. Sept. 17, considered and passed Senate, in lieu of S.J. Res. 197.

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