NIAF honors actor Leonardo DiCaprio, other notables this weekend
NIAF will honor three-time Academy Award-nominated actor Leonardo DiCaprio during this week’s Convention and 33rd Anniversary Gala this weekend on October 17-18, 2008. The gala salutes the accomplishments of prominent Italians and Italian Americans in all fields, including entertainment.
Other honorees include president of Aetna Mark T. Bertolini; legendary actress Gina Lollobrigida; president and CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc. Joseph DePinto; CEO of the Humane Society of the United States Wayne Pacelle and CEO of Autogrill S.p.A. Gianmario Tondato da Ruos.
Held at the Hilton Washington & Towers in Washington, D.C., the convention weekend also will be attended by a variety of NIAF-affiliated Italian American groups, including the National Italian American Bar Association (NIABA) and UNICO National.
Comedian Tom Dreesen will open the NIAF gala. Additional notables attending the dinner include sports great Yogi Berra; CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo; H.E. Giovanni Castellaneta, Italy’s Ambassador to the U.S.; ABC News correspondent Sam Donaldson; Vince Ferragamo, a former NFL player; former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; Deana Martin, actress, singer and daughter of the late Dean Martin; European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli; and Barbara Sinatra, wife of singing legend Frank Sinatra.
As you know, the NIAF annual anniversary celebration is part of a two-day convention in the nation’s capital featuring special receptions, entertainment and conferences. Highlights from this year’s convention and gala weekend include:
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Piazza d’Italia, a two-day Best of Italy exposition, held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, October 17 and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 18.
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A variety of interesting conferences, including “The Presidential Candidates’ Perspectives on the Future of Healthcare in America” on Friday, October 17, from 2:30-4 p.m. in addition to “Energy: American’s Challenge of the 21st Century” and “Italian Language and Culture in America’s Schools,” both held on Saturday, October 18 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
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NIAF’s annual “Salute to the Martini” on Friday, October 17 featuring singing sensation Patrizio Buanne.
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And an NCN Ambassador and Youth Networking Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18.
Your participation guarantees that NIAF will continue to help our young people with their higher education, mentor programs, youth retreats and other efforts to instill a sense of pride in their wonderful heritage. You will also be supporting our Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery student program in Italy and our Students to Leaders program helping young Italian Americans develop effective leadership skills.
Your registration for the October NIAF Gala will ensure your attendance at one of the premier annual events in the nation.
Register for your seats online today!
For more information about the NIAF gala, please visit www.niaf.org.
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Education luncheon honors former Olympian, World War II POW
 On Friday, NIAF’s Education Luncheon will honor Louis Zamperini of Torrance, Calif, who will soon be portrayed by Nicolas Cage in an upcoming film.
Zamperini qualified for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, and although he placed eighth in the competition, his sprint to the finish line caught the eye of Adolf Hitler. Hitler asked for a personal meeting and greeted Zamperini by shaking his hand and saying, “The boy with the fast finish.”
Later, Zamperini enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in 1941 and was deployed to Hawaii as a B-24 bombardier. After flying a number of missions, his aircraft went down over the Pacific Ocean in May 1943. After 47 days adrift, Zamperini was rescued by the Japanese Navy and held in captivity through the end of the war.
After the war, Zamperini met evangelist Billy Graham, who helped him launch a new career as a Christian inspirational speaker. One of his themes is “forgiveness,” and he has visited many of the guards from his POW days to let them know that he has forgiven them.
Zamperini will deliver the lunch’s keynote address.
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Convention weekend includes 12th Annual Youth Gala
The NIAF 12th Annual Gala for Young Italian Americans is a fun-filled evening of friends, dinner, dancing, and celebrities! The Youth Gala is open to all Italian Americans and Italophiles ages 18–35, and runs simultaneously with our NIAF 33rd Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner at the Hilton Washington & Towers, Washington, D.C., on October 18, 2008.
If you were with us last year you joined some notable friends including: Rudy Giuliani, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, actress Ellen Pompeo , Connie Stevens, director Martin Scorsese, Yogi Berra, Dion, Gina Lollobrigida, General Peter Pace, Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito Jr., Susan Lucci, actor Tony LoBianco, Dick Vermeil, Vince Papale, Jerry Vale, and Maria Bartiromo.
You are also invited to take part in other exciting events during our Gala Weekend on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, including wine and food tastings, in our Piazza d’Italia exhibitions, and Friday night entertainment.
Come alone or bring a friend - the youth gala is a wonderful experience for all!
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Public Policy programs include gala conference and lecture
In conjunction with the NIAF 33rd Annual Gala Weekend & Awards dinner, the NIAF Public Policy Institute will be holding two policy conferences featuring senior representatives from the presidential campaigns of Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain.
On Friday, October 17, “Healthcare: The Presidential Candidates’ Perspectives,” will examine each candidate’s healthcare policy proposals for their potential administration. The second conference on Saturday October 18, “Energy: America’s Challenge of the 21st Century,” will examine the role that the candidates feel government should play in the domestic and global energy crisis. Each conference will be from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Washington Hilton & Towers in Washington, D.C.
On October 24, the NIAF Public Policy Lecture Series a national, touring program that features distinguished speakers discussing timely policy issues, will hold a policy luncheon with keynote Congressman Steve Scalise, representative of Louisiana’s 1st District in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Congressman Scalise will discuss the timely issues of homeland security and the redevelopment of New Orleans to an intimate audience of Italian American business and community leaders, government officials, opinion leaders, and other notables. To confirm your attendance, please contact John Marino, NIAF’s Director of Government Relations & Public Policy, who can be reached at 202-939-3115 or at jmarino@niaf.org.
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Conference examines Italian language in U.S. schools
On Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m., NIAF will host a conference examining “Italian Language and Culture in America’s Schools.” The conference will be moderated by Anthony Tamburri, dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute of Queens College of the City University of New York.
Speakers include Robert Viscusi of Brooklyn College, who will discuss why it is important to teach Italian in American schools; Fulvia Musti, a professor of Italian at Georgetown University, who will describe the Italian AP course and exam and explain why it is beneficial to students; and Margaret Cuomo, who will discuss plans of the Italian Language Foundation to support AP Italian in high schools.
The conference is free and open to the public.
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Columbus Day celebrated around the country
 Italian Americans across the United States celebrated Monday in observance of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World on October 12, 1492. The Italian explorer, who hailed from Genoa, had been commissioned by the Spanish monarchy to find a new trade route to India. Since the 1800s, the day has been observed as a celebration of Italian American heritage and culture.
In Pittsburgh, Penn., NIAF Area Coordinator Dr. Carla Lucente became the first woman to serve as grand marshal of the city’s Columbus Day Parade.
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Berlusconi visits White House
Also on Columbus Day, President George W. Bush welcomed visiting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the White House.
“Every year on Columbus Day, we remember the remarkable history that unites America and Italy,” Bush told the crowd. “…Through the years, generations of Italian immigrants have made their own voyage to the New World. They brought with them a vibrant culture and a strong sense of family. And today their children and grandchildren have risen to some of the highest offices in our land.”
During his speech, Bush recognized U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a former NIAF Board Member, and Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito Jr. as Italian Americans who hold such high offices in the United States.
Berlusconi responded by stating that Italians are grateful to the United States for protecting them during World War II, the Cold War, and today’s war on terror. He added, “…When I see an American flag I don't see only the flag of a great country -- I also see the great symbol of freedom and democracy.”
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Destination: Calabria
It’s not too late to book a trip to the Region of Calabria through NIAF’s latest Heritage Tour. This nine-day, seven-night tour departs New York City to visit the cities of Altomonte, Capo Vaticano, Catanzaro, Crotone, Gerace, Locri, Paola, Pizzo Calabro, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, and Vibo Valentia.
Costs range from $1,899 to $2,449 per person, based on double occupancy and month of departure. Participants may choose from 25 departure dates ranging from September 15, 2008 through June 15, 2009.
For more information, visit the NIAF Web site or click here.
For a brochure and reservation form, write to Italy Travel, c/o Unitours, 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10557. Call toll-free at 888-846-6423 or 914-253-9177, fax to 914-253-9001, or e-mail Marianna Pisano at mpisano@unitours.com.
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Destination: Tuscany
NIAF is also proud to announce a trip to the Region of Tuscany, also available through NIAF’s Heritage Tour program. This nine-day trip departs from New York City and offers weekly departures starting in February 2009. Costs range from $1,999 to $2,499 per person.
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Tour-goers will visit Tuscany, Florence, Lucca/Pisa, San Gimignano and Volterra, Siena and Cortona.
For a brochure and reservation form, write to Italy Travel, c/o Unitours, 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10557. Call toll-free at 888-846-6423 or 914-253-9177, fax to 914-253-9001, or e-mail Marianna Pisano at mpisano@unitours.com.
For more information, click here.
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San Diego Italian Film Festival
The San Diego Italian Film Festival will show a series of Italian films from Wednesday, October 15 through Sunday, October 19. All films are free and open to the public.
This week’s films include “MA CHE CI FACCIO QUI,” directed by Francesco Amato; “TREE OF LIFE ,” directed by Hava Volterra; “LA VITA RUBATTA,” directed by Graziano Diana; “L'ORCHESTRA DI PIAZZA VITTORIO,” directed by Agostino Ferrente; and “MIO FRATELLO E' FIGLIO UNICO,” directed by Daneile Luchetti.
For the full San Diego Italian Film Festival schedule, and for information about other events, visit www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com
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