CITY OF FRESNO
Office of Mayor Jerry Dyer
_________________________________ ________________________________ JERRY DYER, Honorable Mayor NELSON ESPARZA, Council President
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ESMERALDA SORIA, Councilmember District 1 MIKE KARBASSI, Councilmember District 2
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MIGUEL ARIAS, Councilmember District 3 TYLER MAXWELL, Council Vice President
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LUIS CHAVEZ, Councilmember District 5 GARRY BREDEFELD, Council District 6
WHEREAS, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America is the first and oldest Italian Fraternal Organization in the US was established in 1905. Alfonso Cubicciotti, a member, who was also President of many Italian organizations, immigrated West to start the first lodge in California. He was known because he spoke against The Dillingham Bill, which called for Italian immigrants to pass a literacy test, be measured for physical desirability, and any health restrictions or “defects” that would put them right back on a return ship to Italy; and WHEREAS, A Charter was signed in September 22, 1922 for the first Lodge in California located in Fresno. As if to signify that as a center from which the Order would spread its roots over the entire State, it’s birth was in Fresno, the geographical center of California and important seat of one of the richest agricultural zones of our nation; and WHEREAS, The Sons of Italy Colombo Lodge 1149’s main purpose was to give Italians a place to gather safely, to socialize and to help assimilate in America. They were also very involved in Italian American causes and worked to end bigotry and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, When established in 1922, the Son’s of Italy Colombo Lodge was a “men’s only” club. The women’s auxiliary, the Stella Lodge, was established in 1928. When the men served in the military during the war, membership was depleted, and the women helped to save the Colombo Lodge. The two merged and became what is now known as Colombo- Stella Lodge 1149; and
WHEREAS, Since its origin, the Lodge has donated to many nonprofit and charitable business organizations including war relief, the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, earthquake relief, children orphanages and Cooley’s Anemia.
Today, Colombo-Stella’s main charities are the Genetic and Metabolic Research Library at Valley Children’s Hospital, Poverello House, NAMI, American Cancer Society, Marjaree Mason Center, Survivors of Suicide, Razor Sharp Boxing Club, Autism Awareness, Heart of the Horse Therapy, Pink Heels, and scholarships for college students; and WHEREAS , On September 22, 2022, the Order of the Sons of Italy of America, Colombo-Stella Lodge 1149 will celebrate 100 years of service to the Fresno community, remaining the FIRST and OLDEST Italian organization in California.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno City Councilmembers, do hereby proclaim Thursday September 29th, 2022 to be:
“100th Anniversary of Sons of Italy Colombo-Stella Lodge 1149”
In the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 29th day of September 2022.
Celebrating 100th Anniversary Sons of Italy