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WHEREAS, on December 6, 1907 an explosion at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, West Virginia caused the worst mine disaster in United States history; and
WHEREAS, the company listed 362 deaths but it is believed that more than 500 men and boys died on that day, including 171 Italians; and
WHEREAS, the 100th anniversary of the disaster was marked with a ceremony attended by representatives of the Italian government and the blessing of a 1,300 pound bell that was a gift from the province of Molise; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Joseph D'Andrea, ex-Honorary Consul of Italy and Moon Township resident, conducted extensive research on the family histories of miners from the Molise region of Italy and published a book to commemorate the tragedy; and
WHEREAS, during the week of April 28, 2008, Italian students, educators, and government representatives, will tour West Virginia and Pennsylvania as part of an award the students received for writing essays about the mine disaster; and
WHEREAS, the Italian delegation includes: Teresio Onorato, Antonio Pinelli, Gerardo Cafaro, Barbaro Francesco, Florio Domenico, and Giusy Antonelli.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh welcomes its visitors from Italy and commends the students for their work to honor this tragic event. Fairmont Coal Company