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Media Advisory – NIAF 19th Anniversary Awards Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org


EVENT: NIAF 29th Anniversary Awards Gala

SPONSOR: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

WHEN: Saturday, October 16, 2004
6:00 P.M. reception, 7:00 P.M. dinner

WHERE: Hilton Washington & Towers
1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (202/483-3000)

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini will join more than 3,000 prominent Italians and Italian Americans in entertainment, business, the arts, and government at the National Italian American Foundation’s 29th Anniversary Awards Gala.

The Year 2004 NIAF Honorees:
In Music:
• Tim McGraw
, Grammy Award-winning country music star, will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Music.
Luciano Pavarotti, legendary tenor, will be inducted into the NIAF Italian American Hall of Fame in Music.
In Business:
• Joseph J Plumeri
, chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings Limited, will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business.
In Humanitarian Service:
• Carmella LaSpada
, founder of No Greater Love and executive director of The White House Commission on Remembrance, will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Humanitarian Service.

Joining the NIAF gala honorees this year are singers Faith Hill and Jo Dee Messina, NFL legend Franco Harris, comedian Fred Travalena, along with actors Danny Aiello, Dennis Farina, and Giancarlo Giannini. Popular entertainer Tony Danza is this year’s emcee.

The NIAF 29th Anniversary Awards Gala caps off the Foundation’s two-day convention (October 15 & 16). Highlights of the weekend include the following conferences: Italian Americans and the 2004 Presidential Election with distinguished panelists: Richard Benedetto; Christopher Caldwell; Andrew Glass; Robert Novak and John Podesta.

Discovering Italy through its Food and Wine sponsored by Italy Italy Magazine in which participants can win a vacation in Italy including air / ground transfers and a visit to the Vatican.

Milestones of the Italian American Experience with featured speaker Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Proceeds benefit the NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit our website at www.niaf.org .