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Designating the week of Monday, October 1 through Monday, October 8, 2012 as Christopher Columbus/Italian American Heritage Week in the City of Philadelphia. This is done in celebration of the festivities commemorating Columbus' historic voyage to the New World and honoring Frankie Valli as Grand Marshall of the 2012 Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade.
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WHEREAS, Five hundred and twenty years ago, a courageous Italian visionary set out on what would become one of the most momentous journeys in the annals of history. Christopher Columbus and the maps he charted to the New World were guiding lights to every ship that came to America; and
WHEREAS, The annual Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade began in South Philadelphia in 1957, and has since become one of the City's premier ethnic celebrations. On October 7, 2012, the 1492 Society will host the annual parade. In addition to the active participation of the Delaware Valley's Italian American Community, the Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade tradition includes the world famous Philadelphia Mummers string bands, outstanding high school and elementary school marching bands, and many other marching groups representing the various ethnic traditions of our great City. The Parade seeks to foster a spirit of multi-culturalism and respect for people of all ethnic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, The Grand Marshall of the 2012 Columbus Day Parade, Frankie Valli was born May 3, 1934 in Newark, NJ. His singing took off in 1960 when Valli joined Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio as front man of The Four Seasons. He is well known for his unusually powerful falsetto voice. Valli had 29 Top 40 hits with The Four Seasons including Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll and December 1963 (Oh What a Night). As a solo artist, he had nine Top 40 hits and his number one hits included My Eyes Adored You and Grease. The members of The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Broadway musical, Jersey Boys, opened in 2005. Besides performances of many of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons hit recordings, the musical features a biographical narrative, told as four separate points of view by each of the members of The Four Seasons. The musical dramatizes several real-life incidents from Valli's life. The show was widely acclaimed, financially successful, and won six Tony awards. Valli has supported the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). In 2006, he received the NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2008, NIAF presented a scholarship in his name to an Italian American music student. In May 2012, Valli received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his commitment to many humanitarian causes; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the annual Parade, Columbus Day festivities include an Italian Festival showcasing the culture and cuisine of the people of Italy. The annual Italian festival takes place at Marconi Plaza the day of the Parade and includes food, dance and music from the many diverse regions of Italy; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby designate the week of October 1 through October 8, 2012 as Christopher Columbus/Italian American Heritage Week and honor Frankie Valli as Grand Marshall of the 2012 Columbus Day Parade.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the Grand Marshall of the Parade, Frankie Valli, and to the 1492 Society as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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