 Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States and Mrs. Reagan. This I understand is your first visit to the United States. We consider it an honor to have with us a friend who has sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom. Mr. President, Italy and the United States stand shoulder to shoulder in the defense of democratic government and human freedom. In these perilous times, both our peoples may find comfort in the partnership that is developed between our nations. The great Roman orator Cicero once said, friendship makes prosperity more brilliant and lightens adversity by dividing and sharing it. Well, whether it be good times or bad, our two peoples have demonstrated beyond any doubt that Italy and the United States are and will be friends. This bond is not solely due to the magnificent contributions Americans of Italian descent have made in this land. Certainly all Americans are aware of these contributions in the arts, in business, and industry, and in government. They are monuments of which we're rightfully proud. Our brotherhood is one of soul as well as blood. If there had never been a migration from your country, we would still be kindred spirits because of our common ideals. Today, these ideals are threatened, but it is heartening to see how they draw us closer together. Your unwavering support of the Western Alliance, your willingness to do your part, and more, for the protection of freedom are much appreciated by the people of the United States. It is said that actions speak louder than words. Well, if that be true, certainly all the world has heard your message. Your country was one of the first major powers to step forward to participate in the Sinai peacekeeping force. Just as vital to peace was your willingness to provide the Alliance the means of maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent as a counterbalance to a massive Soviet buildup. And you were quick to support the oppressed peoples of Afghanistan and Poland. These commitments to peace and freedom demonstrate that Italy is no passive ally or fair weather friend, but instead is an indispensable partner. One would expect nothing less from a people that produced men like Giuseppe Garibaldi, in whose heart burned a flame that united all of Italy. In recent years, the Italian people have fought a grim battle against a foe every bit as threatening to freedom and independence as foreign tanks or nuclear missiles. A gang of brutal and inhuman thugs aided and abetted by foreign powers sought to destroy Italy's democracy by acts of sheer terror. You, Mr. President, know better than most the consequences of submitting to such gangs and what this could mean. The fight against these terrorists has been costly. Aldo Morrow and many others, men and women who had much to contribute, who still had much to live for were cut down. It takes a special kind of strength to face such an adversary while maintaining democratic institutions. All those who love liberty have prayed for your success. Today I congratulate you and the Italian people for your fortitude. It appears that you are on your way to victory over these cowardly criminals. I extend to you now on behalf of all Americans our thanks for everything that was done to free General James Dozier. This triumph over evil has inspired good and decent people everywhere. Mr. President, the world is entering a new era of human history. The time commonly known as the postwar period has come to a close. Human freedom faces tremendous challenges. Its future rests upon the shoulders of the citizens of a small number of democratic nations. This heavy weight must be carried or it will be lost for generations as Rome with all her glory was destroyed by the barbarians and then engulfed by the dark ages. The preservation of freedom is not a task for the weak. We have confidence that the Italian people, rich in heritage and strong in character, like the people of the United States will meet the historic responsibility before us. Today, Mr. President, marks the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which created the common market, an agreement that has demonstrated even to the most skeptical that free and independent nations can successfully and effectively work together for mutual benefit. To lay today led us the representatives of two powerful forces, but decency and freedom agree that we will face the challenges of the future together and that in times of prosperity and adversity, our friendship will stand. Mr. President, I look forward to visiting your country in June, and I welcome you now to the United States. May the ties between us be always as strong as they are today. President Pertini, today, all of America welcomes you with open heart. This introduction, Mr. President, is your first visit to the United States. For us, it is a great honor to have a great friend, especially a friend who has sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. Mr. President, Italy and the United States are united in the defense of the democratic government of human freedom. In these dangerous times, our two peoples will be able to make comfort in the partnership that is in short developed between our two nations. The great Roman orator Cicerone once said that friendship makes prosperity brighter by starting it and dividing it. So, whether it is about good times or bad times, our two peoples have shown without doubt that Italy and the United States are and will always be countries and friends. This bond does not depend only on the magnificent contributions that the Americans of Italian origin have made to our land. Certainly, all Americans are aware of these contributions in the sectors of art, trade, industry and government. Such contributions remain as monuments of which we are truly proud. We have a brotherhood that is spiritual, both with blood, even if it had never been a migratory flow from his country to our nation. We will still be the people of Gemella, just based on our common ideals. Today, these ideals are threatened, but it is encouraging to see how they mean a greater approximation between our nations. His incredible support for the Western Alliance and his willingness to carry out his rightful role and even more for the defense of freedom are greatly appreciated by the American people. It is said that actions are more eloquent than words. If this is true, President, certainly everyone has listened to his message. His country has been one of the first main powers to advance and participate in the effort to safeguard peace in Sinai. It seems that the vital importance of peace has been at your disposal to offer the Middle-Eastern Alliance. And you have made it possible to manifest support to the oppressed people of Afghanistan and Poland, the people who have given up on men such as Giuseppe Garibaldi. Today, against an opponent that threatens so much freedom and independence, the armed forces and nuclear missiles of foreign powers. You, Mr. President, know better than most of the people who... Mr. President, the warm welcome that surrounds me in the name of the people of the United States of America and my joy in listening to it, to the American Revolution, to its principles, to the declaration of human rights, to look at the Italians who made the United States of Italy in resurgence. In Rome, in Italy and in their history, the American thinkers who, in Philadelphia, were preparing the Constitution of the United States. Over the course of more than two centuries, the contacts between our peoples have become narrow-minded in all fields. We have created a precious layer of blood. You, among the people of the United States, will see the component of Italian origin, so oppressive, vital and loyal. And we Italians, we never forget that for twice as many, the American soldiers fell for the independence and freedom of Italy and Europe in the two World Wars. The friendship between Italy and the United States does not therefore respond to the cold demand of a diplomatic calculation. But in the end, its roots are in the deep ground of the history of our two peoples. The conversations and encounters I will have with you, Mr. President, and with the other authorities of the government and the Congress of the United States, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Colombo, will be important for the deepening of many issues of the Italian-American relations and the common intentions that we have in the framework of the Atlantic Alliance at the moment. Mr. President, the main reason for my presence here on the American soil is, however, to testify those ideal aspirations, values for which parents, pilgrims and political, religious and racial persecutors find in America the possibility of a free, peaceful and civil life. For these same ideals we have fought together in Europe and we must continue to fight, to contain and optimize through the international organizations to open up to the bottom our common faith of free peoples and freely governed peoples. Mr. President, the warmth of the welcome you have extended to me on behalf of the United States and my great pleasure in listening to your words at the start of this my first visit to this great country are the fruit of a very deep-rooted friendship and understanding between our peoples. For it was to the American Revolution its inherent principles and also to the Declaration of Rights that the Italian looked as they brought about the unity of Italy in the Risorgimento. And it was to Rome, to Italy and to their history that often turned the thoughts of those Americans who in Philadelphia drafted the Constitution of the United States. Over more than two centuries the context between our peoples have become extremely close in all fields. A precious blood tie has grown up between us. You, number among the people of the United States that group of Italians who have proved so industrious, vigorous and loyal and we Italians will never forget that American soldiers have twice lost their lives for the independence and liberty of Italy and Europe during two world wars. This friendship between Italy and United States does not therefore follow the dictates of cool diplomatic calculation but instead has its roots in the fertile ground of the history of our peoples. The conversations which myself and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Colombo are to have with you, Mr. President as well as with other officials of the government and Congress of the United States these conversations will provide an important forum for the discussion of many aspects of the American relations and common intents as proposed within the framework of the Atlantic Alliance. Mr. President, the main reason for my presence here on American soil is however to bear witness to certain cherished ideals, aspirations and values for it was through these that the Pilgrim fathers and those fleeing from political, religious and racial persecution found in America the opportunity to live a peaceful, free and civilized life. For these same ideals we have fought together in Europe and for these same ideals we must continue to struggle with tenacity and optimism within the framework of international bodies and institutions. In this way we reaffirm to the maximum our common faith in free and freely governed peoples.