A recent commentary asked, “Should Columbus Day be renamed?” (Star-Advertiser, Oct. 8).

Since November is Native American Heritage Month, totally abolishing Columbus Day wouldn’t be fair to Italian-Americans who have one day a year for recognition. Rather than kill the holiday, rename it for Mother Cabrini.

Why, you ask? She was a saintly Italian nun who dedicated her life to helping poor Italians and other immigrants assimilate. She became a naturalized American citizen and chose to become one of us. Columbus was never one of us.

I can think of no better person to serve as a hero to the Italian- American community than the noble soul who embraced poverty to lift up the impoverished, and who championed immigration and assimilation. In this era of immigrant bashing, there is no finer example for our nation than the patron saint of immigrants. Not just for Italian-Americans, but for all Americans.

Joseph Bonfiglio

Hawaii Kai

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