FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(WASHINGTON, DC – January 24, 2002), Robert D. Prunetti, National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) area coordinator in Southern New Jersey, was recently appointed to the New Jersey Commission on Italian and Americans of Italian Heritage Cultural and Educational Programs. Prunetti is the Mercer County (NJ) Executive.

“We are absolutely delighted with this appointment,” said NIAF Chairman Frank J. Guarini and former U.S. Congressman from New Jersey. “It is not only a recognition of Bob Prunetti but a recognition of the importance the State of New Jersey places on the Italian American community,” added Guarini.

The Commission was established to educate the general public on the cultural impact that individuals of Italian heritage have had in New Jersey and the U.S. The responsibility of the Commission is to design and implement programs, workshops, institutes, seminars, and other teacher-training activities for the study of culture, history, and heritage of Italians and Italian-Americans. These programs will be created for high schools and other institutions of higher learning.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Jersey has 1.5 million Americans of Italian descent or 20 percent of the state’s population.

“For too long, the preponderance of movies and television shows depicting Italians as mobsters and criminals has done a great disservice to a group that has contributed so much to the fabric of America,” stated Prunetti. “It is the responsibility of this Commission to educate the public about the rich heritage of the Italian people. This Commission is an appropriate and powerful tool to combat ignorance with education, insensitivity with compassion and hate with heritage,” stated Prunetti.

Prunetti, whose mother and paternal grandparents emigrated to America from Italy, is currently a member of the Community of Italian American Organizations (CIAO), the West Trenton Italian American Club and the Order Sons of Italy.

Robert D. Prunetti