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Sons of Italy Foundation to Honor Italian American Leaders at May Gala in D.C.
Press
Contact: Kylie Cafiero, (202) 547-2900 kcafiero@osia.org
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - April 28, 2006 -
The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), a leading Italian
American philanthropic organization, will honor three
Italian Americans who have excelled in their respective
fields at its 18th annual National Education & Leadership
Awards (NELA) Gala, May 25, 2006, at the Omni Shoreham
in Washington, D.C.
Michael Rienzi will receive the
SIF 2006 NELA award for his leadership in the business
world, his philanthropy and promotion of Italian culture.
Founder of Rienzi & Sons, food importers, he has established
a foundation that raises awareness and funding for
people suffering from hearing loss with the New York
University's Cochlear Implant Center. He also will
produce a cable television program featuring the wines
and cuisines from various regions of Italy.
Robert E.
Juliano will receive the SIF 2006 Humanitarian
Award for his continuous support of charitable causes
and work that represents individuals and organizations
on a national level. Juliano, a political consultant
and labor representative, has worked with the National
Coalition for Breast Cancer; the Lions Club; Crusade
of Mercy and other charities.
Franco Nuschese will receive
a The SIF 2006 Award for Excellence in Business. As
president of Georgetown Entertainment Group, Nuschese
manages Café Milano in Georgetown, Sette Osteria in
Dupont Circle and Sette Bello in Arlington, Virginia.
He has also created two Italian restaurants at the
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Born in Minori,
on Italy's fabled Amalfi Coast, he came to Washington,
DC in 1991.
The SIF is the philanthropic arm of the
Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the nation's
oldest and largest organization for people of Italian
heritage. Over the years, the SIF has contributed more
than $93 million to medical research, disaster relief,
and scholarships. The NELA Gala proceeds help fund
these philanthropic programs.
About 1,000 guests
attend the annual NELA black tie gala. Also honored
are the 2006 NELA Scholarship winners. Past guests
include the president of the United States, Cabinet
officers, and members of Congress. Past honorees include
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, AIDS researchers
Anthony Fauci and Robert Gallo, football coach Joe
Paterno, and entertainers Frank Sinatra, Tony
Bennett,
Regis Philbin and Joe Mantegna.
For guest ticket purchases,
advertisements and sponsorship levels please contact
the Sons of Italy Foundation at 202/547-2900 or email
nelagala@osia.org.
For press passes, contact Kylie Cafiero,
Director of Communications at 202/547-2900 or kcafiero@osia.org.
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