Action Alert masthead


For Immediate Action
Monday, April 14, 2008

Contact: Policy Department
Phone: (202) 232-6300
E-mail: policy@ahepa.org

Dome of the Capitol

Action Alert


Help Bestow Congress' Greatest Honor on Our Capitol's Artist

Award a Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Constantino Brumidi
Only 51 More Co-sponsors are Needed!

BACKGROUND


Please join AHEPA, the Daughters of Penelope, and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in recognizing the contributions of a great American of Hellenic and Italian descent, Constantino Brumidi, by educating your U.S. Representative about legislation (H.R. 1609) to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to the artisan of our nation's Capitol.


Constantino Brumidi's frescoes and murals can be found throughout the U.S. Capitol. His creations include his masterpiece, the allegorical fresco The Apotheosis of Washington, in the canopy of the Rotunda. He also painted the extensive frescoes in the Brumidi Corridors, which many believe to be the first true frescoes to be painted in this country. Brumidi's last years were spent painting the historic scenes in the Rotunda frieze.


The consummate American, Brumidi is reported to have remarked: "My one ambition and my daily prayer is that I may live long enough to make beautiful the Capitol of the one country on earth in which there is liberty."


STATUS


The Senate

  • In 2007, the Senate unanimously passed its bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Brumidi and all 100 senators co-sponsored it.


The House of Representatives

  • The bill, H.R.1609, rests with the House Committee on Financial Services.

  • Its original sponsor is Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey.

  • The bill has 239 additional bipartisan co-sponsors.

  • Rules for Congressional Gold Medal legislation mandate that two-thirds of the House of Representatives must co-sponsor the bill for it to be considered by the House Floor. This equates to 290 House members.

  • Therefore, we need 51 more co-sponsors to move the bill out of committee and on to the House floor for a vote.


ACTION: Send an E-mail, FAX, or Make a Phone Call

Click here for an alphabetical list of the 239 co-sponsors. Do you see your representative on this list? If not, please contact their congressional office and ask for their support by co-sponsoring H.R.1609.


REFERENCE / CONTACT SHEET


Talking Points

  • Constantino Brumidi spent 25 years of his life making beautiful the most important building in the U.S., the Capitol, including its magnificent Rotunda with its beautiful "Apotheosis of Washington" in the dome;
  • Born in Italy in 1805, of Greek and Italian parents, he brought to the U.S. the finest art traditions and styles of Italy (fresco painting in the styles of the High Italian Renaissance and the Baroque);
  • Having come to the U.S., in 1852, seeking liberty, he truly loved America and considered painting in the Capitol his greatest joy and highest honor. Brumidi is famous for saying, "My one ambition and daily prayer is that I may live long enough to make beautiful the Capitol of the one country on earth where there is liberty." He personifies the immigrant dream of a productive life and a better future in the U.S.
  • Identical legislation in the Senate passed unanimously with an astounding 99 cosponsors.


Sample Letter


To Contact Your U.S. Representative Via E-mail

  • Visit www.house.gov/writerep
  • Enter your state and zip code
  • Fill out the electronic form of your name and address
  • Write and submit your message


To Contact Your U.S. Representative Via FAX or Phone

  • Visit www.house.gov/Welcome.shtml
  • Enter your zip code
  • Click on the link to your representative's Web site
  • Locate the "Contact" or "Constituent Services" button on your representative's Web site to find the contact information (fax or phone number) for your representative's office.
  • FAX your letter ASAP!
  • Do not mail your letter! It takes well over 2-3 weeks for it to get through processing due to heightened security.
  • You can also call the US Capitol Switchboard, (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative's office.


Note: For the purposes of record keeping, please send a copy of your correspondence to:

  • AHEPA Headquarters via FAX at (202) 232-2140 or via e-mail at policy@ahepa.org. This will allow us to know who in Congress has been contacted for future follow-up.


Helpful Tips

  • Identify yourself as a constituent.
  • Keep your message as brief and as focused as possible.
  • For expediency, we recommend sending a fax or telephoning as opposed to correspondence that is mailed.
  • If faxing a letter, ensure that you sign the letter and include your full address underneath your signature.
  • Remember, members of Congress work for you and they want to hear from you.


Questions?


Please contact AHEPA Headquarters, (202) 232-6300 with any questions. Thank you!


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AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.


The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.


For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, (202) 232-6300, or visit www.ahepa.org.