"Italian-Americans came to our country, and state, poor and proud," Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena said during his address to the Rhode Island House of Representatives as part of last Wednesday St. Patrick's Joseph's Day Observance. "Poor because they escaped poverty, proud because their new America would give them and their families hope and prosperity for a better life." Polisena shined as a special guest of House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, who invited the Johnston mayor to provide the St. Patrick's Day Italian Heritage Address on the House floor.

"As we all know, America is a nation of immigrants," he said.

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Source: http://www.johnstonsunrise.net/