Spinelli, Altiero (1907 - 1986)
Leading Italian federalist who proposed a draft constitution, adopted by the European Parliament in 1984 with 237 votes in favour, 31 against, and 43 abstentions.
Spinelli also established the Crocodile Club and initiated the European Parliament Institutional Committee – now called Constitutional Committee – in 1982. The Committee subsequently drafted the text, which inspired many subsequent treatie.
During World War II, the Italian fascists in Ventotene imprisoned him where he wrote the federalist Ventotene-manifesto for a united Europe.
One of the office buildings in the European Parliament in Brussels is named after him.
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altiero_Spinelli