White House Issues 2025 Columbus Day Proclamation
WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ), the anti-defamation and positive imaging arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA), welcomes the Presidential Proclamation recently issued by the White House in celebration of Columbus Day 2025.
The CSJ joins in the national observance of Columbus Day, as proclaimed by President Donald J. Trump, honoring Christopher Columbus while emphasizing the contributions and pride of the Italian American community.
"As we celebrate his legacy, we also acknowledge the contributions of the countless Italian-Americans who, like him, have endlessly contributed to our culture and our way of life"
-President Donald J. Trump, 2025 Columbus Day Proclamation
On behalf of OSIA, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, we are pleased and honored to be once again attending this ceremony and today’s Mass and festivities with our fellow Italian organizations. Now more than ever, it is important that we present a unified front to protect and preserve our national holiday - Columbus Day.
We join with our brothers and sisters from all the JCCIA organizations today to celebrate and commemorate the struggles, hardships, and accomplishments of Italians in America.
Our Order’s founder, Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro gave the original “I have a dream speech” on our founding in New York City on June 22, 1905. We believe it is important today that to again repeat his closing remarks:
“It is because of this today, I have a dream and hope that someday, even if it takes 100 more years before we are fully accepted, our children and their children’s children, even if they carry a single drop of Italian blood will be able and proud to continue to carry on our traditions, our culture, and our language. It is up to us, and what we do today!”
These words ring true today, and we are confident that if we stay unified, his dream and ours will continue to be fulfilled for generations to come.