ANTONIN SCALIA (1936-2016), ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE US SUPREME COURT AND FRIEND OF AMHS

Sadly, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Antonin Scalia passed away suddenly on February 13, 2016. While enjoying a long and distinguished legal career, Justice Scalia never forgot his roots as an Italian-American.

In fact, he was the first Italian-American Justice of the Supreme Court, nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate in a unanimous vote. While many may have disagreed with his conservative opinions, he was well respected as a legal mind and acknowledged by those who knew him to be a personable and generous man.

The huge turn-out for his funeral Mass at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception attests to this.

Evidence of his personal kindness and his pride in his heritage was Justice Scalia’ s attendance at the 2004 AMHS Christmas Gala on Sunday, December 5 held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland.

This great honor to the Society came about because my brother-in-law Frank Del Borrello, an AMHS member, was also Justice Scalia’s hair stylist. I, then President of the Society, sent the Justice a written invitation, and when I followed up with a telephone call, he gladly accepted the invitation because of his relationship - and mine - with Frank.

He regretted that he would be unable to stay for the dinner, because of his duty to review papers for an important Supreme Court decision on the following day, but noted that he would be happy to address the attendees

Escorted by two US Marshals, Scalia arrived in time to mingle with the crowd and graciously pose for photos during the cocktail hour. The 230 AMHS members and friends present certainly felt the warmth of his personality, a vibe that continued when he addressed the group as a whole. In his remarks, Justice Scalia noted that while he was not Abruzzese or Molisano, he was Sicilian, and very proud of his Italian heritage.

The crowd erupted in cheers! Justice Scalia remarked on his regret that he had never learned to speak Italian, but was nevertheless dedicated to the preservation of the Italian-American culture in the United States, and praised the Society for its efforts in that area, as well as for its dedication to its scholarship program. He also offered his wise advice to students and young lawyers in the audience.

2004 Vice President for Membership Gene Swann and I presented the Justice with a certificate of Honorary Membership in the Society, for which he expressed profound thanks. Justice Scalia’s presence at our Gala was a remarkable honor for AMHS, a singular event with a record attendance that marked a true highlight of the Society’s history. Antonin Scalia will never be forgotten by the Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society.