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Kimmel to emcee NIAF Anniversary Gala
 NIAF is proud to announce that renowned comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel will emcee the Foundation’s 34th Anniversary Gala on October 24 in Washington, D.C.
Kimmel can be seen weeknights on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” — which features celebrity guests, music performances and comedy bits. Unlike most talk shows, it also features Jimmy’s family – including his cousin Sal, Uncle Frank, his parents and Aunt Chippy. His childhood best friend, Cleto Escobedo, serves as bandleader, alongside his dad, Cleto Escobedo, Sr., on saxophone.
Kimmel has hosted the American Music Awards on ABC five times. He also was the host of the ESPY Awards in July 2007. He co-created and executive-produced the hit MTV2 series’ “The Andy Milonakis Show” and “Crank Yankers.” In addition, Kimmel co-hosted Comedy Central’s “The Man Show,” served for four seasons as on-air prognosticator for “Fox NFL Sunday,” and co-hosted Comedy Central’s long-running and popular game show, “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” for which he received two Emmy nominations and one win for Best Game Show Host in 1999. Kimmel has also served as roastmaster for Comedy Central’s roasts of both Hugh Hefner and Pamela Anderson.
Kimmel’s company, “Jackhole Industries,” formed with partners Daniel Kellison and Adam Carolla, is responsible for creating “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Man Show,” “Crank Yankers,” “The Andy Milonakis Show,” “Gerhard Reinke’s Wanderlust,” “Too Late with Adam Carolla,” “The Adam Carolla Project” and the made-for-Comedy Central feature film, “Windy City Heat,” which won the 2005 Comedia Award for best film at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.
Click here to view a video of 2009 NIAF honoree Carla Gugino in an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
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REGISTER TODAY for NIAF’s Convention and Gala Weekend! In keeping with our tradition of hosting the President of the United States at this event, President Barack Obama has been invited to attend. Many Members of Congress already have confirmed their attendance, as have our exciting 2009 honorees.
Keep reading to see who NIAF will be honoring at the nation’s premier Italian American event…
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Gugino shines on screens big and small
 It’s been an exciting year for Italian American actress Carla Gugino, who starred this spring in back-to-back weekend box-office hits -- “The Watchmen” opened as the number-one movie, while “Race to Witch Mountain” opened and took the top spot the following week. This fall, NIAF will honor her with the Foundation’s Special Achievement Award in Entertainment.
Gugino’s career began after a brief modeling stint in New York, when she decided to pursue acting. She began with small roles in such well-known television shows such as “The Wonder Years” and “Chicago Hope.” Her career now includes a role in HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Entourage” in addition to starring roles in films such as “American Gangster” alongside Denzel Washington, “Night at the Museum” with Ben Stiller and “Sin City,” a star-studded film based on a graphic novel. Her next film, “Women in Trouble,” is slated for release in November of this year; it profiles one day in the lives of 10 seemingly unrelated women, all who have one thing in common: trouble.
d’Amore quenches brands’ thirst for growth
 Open any refrigerator and you’re likely to see labels reading “Pepsi,” “Gatorade” or “Tropicana.” The man behind those brands in the U.S. is Massimo F. d'Amore, who since 2007 has overseen their growth as Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Americas Beverages. In recognition of his work, NIAF is proud to present d’Amore with the Foundation’s Special Achievement Award in Business.
Prior to taking its helm, d'Amore served the company in many roles, including Executive Vice President Commercial for PepsiCo International, President of the company’s Latin America Region and Senior Vice President of PepsiCo’s Corporate Strategy & Development. Before joining PepsiCo, d'Amore had a 15-year career with Procter & Gamble in Operations, Marketing and General Management in Europe and North Africa.
A native of Italy, d’Amore is an engineering graduate of the Swiss Polytechnic Institute in Lausanne, where he also earned a Master of Science Degree. He has lived in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Morocco, France and, for the last 14 years, in the U.S.
Bastianich serves up a culinary empire
 Guests will surely recognize honoree Lidia Matticchio Bastianich from her popular PBS cooking series “Lidia’s Italy,” the third season of which premiers in September. But what viewers may not realize is that Bastianich and her family have built a modern-day culinary empire of restaurants, cook books, radio shows and more. Accordingly, Bastianich will receive NIAF’s prestigious Special Achievement Award in Humanitarian Service.
Bastianich is an Italian war refugee who eventually came to the United States. She owns four critically acclaimed restaurants in various parts of the country -- Felidia and Becco in New York and Lidia’s Italy in Pittsburgh and Kansas City -- with her son, Joe Bastianich and fellow celebrity chef Mario Batali.
Visit her popular Web site, Lidia’s Italy, to learn more about this accomplished honoree!
Security guard: Napolitano protects nation’s borders
 Janet Napolitano is in demand. Whether speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, urging Americans to fight terrorism at press conferences, or visiting border states to discuss national security increases, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security is sought out by media and fellow Obama Administration officials alike. So, NIAF is particularly honored that on her calendar, October 24, 2009 is marked as the day she will receive our Special Achievement Award in Public Service.
Prior to her appointment by President Barack Obama, Napolitano served as the Governor of Arizona; during her tenure, she was elected the first female chair of the National Governors Association and had previously served as the first female attorney general in Arizona. As governor of Arizona, one of her platforms was national security and addressing illegal immigration; she was the first governor to call for the National Guard to be stationed at U.S. borders.
Venditti voices Italy’s joy, sorrow
 Since the 1970s, Antonello Venditti’s words and melodies have inspired listeners and lead a call for social change. Accordingly, NIAF is proud to present him with our Special Achievement Award in Music. Beloved all over the world for his anthemic ballads, Venditti has spoken out against corruption and drug use – particularly in his 1975 hit album “Lilly"– while embracing other historical and social themes.
In the following decades, Venditti has been a prolific songwriter and performer, and music videos introduced him to a new generation of audiences. His 1991 video for “Alta Marea”, a cover of “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” featured a young Angelina Jolie.
Recently, the singer has found a newer following in soccer fans; followers of A.S. Roma may recognize Venditti as the performer of “Grazie Roma,” a song played following the team’s games.
CLICK HERE for more information on NIAF’s gala weekend or call 202-387-0600.
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