UNICO National Condemns Senseless Arizona Shootings

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Jan 18, 2011, 07:48 ET

UNICO Foundation makes contribution to memorial fund set up for slain 9-year-old Italian American Christina Taylor Green

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICO National, the largest Italian American service organization in America, has gone on record to condemn the senseless shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and others attending a public event outside a Tucson supermarket on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Congresswoman Giffords is a member of the House Armed Services Committee which is committed to improving the quality of life for members of the Armed Forces and their families. Among its many initiatives, UNICO National actively supports recognition of members of the military through its Armed Services Committee.

"Our hearts and prayers of strength go out to all the victims and their families," said Christopher DiMattio, UNICO National President, who announced that the UNICO Foundation would be making a contribution to a memorial fund set up in honor of nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, who was slain in the massacre. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is accepting donations to The Christina Taylor Green Memorial Fund on its website, http://www.cfsoaz.org.

Green, whose mother Christina Segalini-Green grew up in the New York City area, is Italian American, and her grandfather, Dallas Green, once managed the New York Mets and Yankees. Born on September 11, 2001, young Christina was a straight-A student, a member of her student council and athletic and active in community endeavors. She sang in her church choir. She spent her last Saturday active in what she loved best -- community affairs -- at the fateful event with Congresswoman Giffords.

"Christina was truly unique -- a young girl, active in her community, church and school. She truly epitomized UNICO's motto 'Service Above Self,'" DiMattio said.

The media reported a total of 18 people were shot by the 22-year-old suspect, who was tackled by witnesses and is in custody, and a total of six were killed.

"We hope justice will be swift and severe for this murderer and anyone else who considers violence as a means to an end," said DiMattio. "That is not the American way."

UNICO National, founded in 1922, is the nation's largest Italian American service organization with local chapters throughout America. Its volunteer members support charitable, educational, and service projects while promoting Italian heritage and combating negative stereotyping. For information on UNICO National or to make donations, visit http://www.unico.org.