18A:4-42 Findings, declarations relative to Italian heritage and cultural and educational programs.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. For the past several decades Hollywood and the communications media have continuously portrayed Italians and Americans of Italian heritage as mobsters, buffoons and other nefarious characters to such an extent that it appears to be an orchestrated program of cultural dismemberment and disdain which can and will promote ethnic bigotry and loss of cultural identity.

b. The exposure of our children and others to this unrelenting barrage of negative images has led to the erosion and denigration of Italian-American culture, history and heritage. It has, furthermore, encouraged children to emulate negative role models and promoted the social acceptability of disrespect for and bigotry towards Italians and Americans of Italian heritage and their culture, history and heritage--a culture, history and heritage shared by over 22 percent of New Jersey's population.

c. The histories of our nation and our State have been significantly enriched by the heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage. The cultural heritage of Italy includes the classical civilization of Rome, the fine arts of the Renaissance, the scientific and artistic genius of Da Vinci, the literary works of Dante and Petrarch, the operas of Verdi and Puccini and many other contributions that have ennobled civilization.

d. More than 5.4 million Italians emigrated to the United States between the years 1820 and 1991; today more than 2 million citizens of this State are of Italian descent. Our nation and our State have benefitted substantially from the influences and contributions of these men, women and children and their distinctive culture, history and heritage.

e. It is desirable to educate our citizens about the positive aspects of the culture, music, art, language, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage.

f. It is the policy of the State of New Jersey that the culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage are a proper concern for all people, particularly students enrolled in the schools of this State.

g. It is appropriate and desirable that programs, workshops, institutes, seminars and other teacher-training activities for the study of the culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage be conducted at the various high schools and institutions of higher education in this State.

h. It is fitting and proper to establish a permanent State-level commission to survey, design, encourage and promote the implementation of Italian and Americans of Italian heritage cultural and educational programs in this State, with responsibility for the coordination of events that will provide appropriate awareness and memorialization of the culture, history, heritage and language of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage on a regular basis throughout the State.

L.2001,c.343,s.1.