Edward Domenico Re (1920-2006) was a U.S. judge, Judge Emeritus of the Federal Court of International Trade, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1968, to the seat of the Customs Court of the United States and, on nomination by President Jimmy Carter, served as a federal judge from 1977 until his retirement from office in 1991. Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law at St. John’s University School of Law, he was also a member of the Council and of the Honorary Committee of the Magna Grecia International Association, chaired by President Nino Foti.

Edward Re was born in Italy in Santa Marina Salina but at the age of eight, he emigrated with his family to the United States in search of a more prosperous future, having just come out of Italy from the First World War and therefore going through a lot of hardships. In America he landed with his family in New York and settled in Brooklyn, known as the Italian Quarter; he was enrolled in the public school where he began his education and his acclimatization in what were the streets of the Italian neighbourhoods. He continued his studies until graduating with honours from St. John’s University in 1943, although only a few days later he was drafted in the army. He joined the US Air Force from which he retired with the rank of colonel.

Back in New York, Re began practicing as a lawyer, and also dedicated himself to writing legal books that are still “Gospel” for students and scholars today. He was also member of the federal office at the Board of Higher Education in New York, which was followed by the call in 1961 by President Kennedy to serve as Chairman of Foreign Claims Settlement of the United States. Subsequently, he was also called by President Johnson to hold various positions, the first as Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural and Educational Affairs, and the second, given his experience in a public office, as a Federal Judge. President Jimmy Carter appointed him Chief Judge at the U.S. International Court of Commerce. In carrying out his judicial function, Re contributed to the application of U.S. law and to the development of international convention law, in a direction of coordination with the protection of human rights.

An illustrious figure, Edward Re was never forgotten in Italy and received numerous awards even in his native country: in 1986, he was bestowed the title of Knight of the Grand Cross by the President of the Republic; he was also given numerous certificates by the universities of Rome, Bologna, Verona, Urbino and L’Aquila. If, on the one hand, Italy has always remembered Edward Domenico Re, the same can be said for him, as can be deduced from some of his words given in response to those who asked him if he had Americanised: “Yes, I’m Americanized, but I’ve helped Italianize America.”

In fact, he did everything he could to facilitate the integration of Italians in America and in particular in the last years of his life to help the Aeolian Association in the world.