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President
George W. Bush, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
Attending Sons of Italy Foundation Gala in DC
Press
Contact: Kylie Cafiero, (202) 547-2900 kcafiero@osia.org
WASHINGTON, May 10, 2004
The
Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), a leading Italian
American philanthropic organization, announced
today that President George W. Bush and Italy's
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will attend
its awards Gala in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday,
May 19.
Prime Minister Berlusconi will receive
an international award from the SIF during its
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 will also be honored.
"This is an historic moment," says Philip R.
Piccigallo, PhD, SIF executive director and CEO. "It
is the first time that a sitting U.S. president
and a prime minister of Italy attend a major
Italian American event together."
The other honorees
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 $84 million to medical
research, disaster relief, and scholarships.
The NELA Gala proceeds help fund these philanthropic
programs.
About 1,000 guests are expected at this year's NELA black tie gala,
including Cabinet officers, members of Congress
and corporate leaders. The 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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