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PREFACE Probably there is no urban area of the United States without a large concentration of Italian Americans. Endowed with a most unique heritage of their own, they enriched this country's national heritage. Their imprint and contributions have not diminished since the day when Christopher Columbus set foot on the shores of the New World. The essays included in this monograph emphasize Italian contributions to the human scientific and artistic heritage, review the painful process of immigration and settlement, they give special attention to the Italian-American community of Cleveland: to its neighborhoods, social and cultural activities as well as to its contributions to the growth of the greater Cleveland area. The initial research which served as a basis for this undertaking was done some ten years ago by Dr. Charles Ferroni of Ashland College. As a young Ph.D. candidate at Kent State University, he selected as his dissertation topic the Italians in Cleveland - A Study in Assimilation. Since then his interest has not diminished. His basic research, his collection of oral history tapes, his work on the Executive Committee of the Italian American Historical Society and the establishment of its Ohio Chapter, his college teaching on Italian ethnicity in America--these are but a few of his contributions to this scholarly field of study. To him goes our deepest appreciation for supporting and actively participating in this endeavor. Similarly our gratitude goes to Mr. Alfonso D'Emilia of The Cleveland Plain Dealer for effectively promoting the Italian culture and for helping us in this project. As a former editor of L'Araldo and a leading force behind the cultural-professional organization "Il Cenacolo", he best represents the patriotism, refinement and generosity of naturalized citizenry of Italian descent. Naturally, first and foremost our appreciation goes to Mr. Gene Veronesi, the author of this monograph. Only someone with the deep perception and knowledge of Italian history, culture, immigration and of the life of Cleveland Italian settlements could prepare such an outstanding manuscript. This is to date the most extensive and objective study of Italian Americans and their communities of Cleveland. As a Ph.D. candidate at Kent State University, Gene is not only a young and promising scholar, but also an educator and successful administrator. He has been appointed to various administrative positions by the Cleveland Board of Education including the position of Codirector of the Cleveland Ethnic Heritage Studies Development program which produced one of the best curriculum projects funded by the U. S. Office of Education. Last, but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. William Cherubini for proofreading the manuscript to Karen Fredenburg and Brenda Kohout for typing and bringing this project to its successful completion. Dr. Karl Bonutti |