Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Attending
Sons of Italy Foundation Gala in DC on May 19
Press
Contact: Kylie Cafiero, (202) 547-2900 kcafiero@osia.org
WASHINGTON, Apr. 22, 04
Italy's
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be honored
by the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) during
its annual Gala on Wednesday, May 19 in Washington,
DC.
"Prime
Minister Berlusconi will receive the first
SIF International Man of Courage Award for
his staunch support of the United States in
its war against international terrorism," says
Philip R. Piccigallo, PhD, SIF executive director
and CEO.
President
George W. Bush has been invited to the 2004
NELA Gala as well as Cabinet officers, members
of Congress and corporate leaders. About
1,000 guests are expected to attend.
Berlusconi's
award will be conferred during the SIF's
16th annual National Education & Leadership
Awards (NELA) Gala. Three Italian Americans
who have excelled in business, the fight against
breast cancer and academia along with the SIF's
2004 scholarship winners also will be honored. They
are:
Joseph
J. Grano, chairman
of UBS Financial Services, who will receive
the SIF 2004 NELA award for his leadership
in the financial world. Grano was president
of PaineWebber when it merged with UBS
in 2001. Before entering the business world
he served in the US Army Special Forces.
Frances
M. Visco, Esq.,
president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition
(NBCC), will receive the SIF 2004 Humanitarian
Award for her dedication to the fight against
breast cancer. She serves on NBCC’s Executive
Committee and represents the organization at
various national and international events. Visco
has served on the President’s Cancer Panel
for three terms since 1993.
John
J. DeGioia, Ph.D.,
president of Georgetown University, will be
recognized with the 2004 SIF Lifetime Achievement
Award for Excellence in Academia. He held various
leadership positions throughout the University
for more than two decades before becoming president
in 2001.
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 $85 million to medical
research, disaster relief, and scholarships.
The NELA Gala proceeds help fund these philanthropic
programs.
The
NELA Gala is at the Grand Hyatt Hotel (1000 H Street,
NW). Tickets are $500.00 each and
seating is limited. For reservations, call
202/547-2900 or email: sif@osia.org.
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