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Official Statement on the Question To Miss New Jersey during Beauty Pageant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 25, 2002)

Attribute to: Frank J. Guarini, chairman, National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and former U.S. Congressman from New Jersey

It is unfortunate that Miss New Jersey, Alicia Renee Luciano, had to be singled out and questioned as to her opinion of “The Sopranos” by one of the pageant judges. The question was both insulting and inappropriate to the Italian American community and all ethnic groups.

Singling out any individual because of their ethnic background is inappropriate and adds to the increased stereotyping in this country.

Why would an Italian American or an individual that has a vowel at the end of their family name be asked such a question when no other contestant was asked about the show? Is this the start of a new trend by the pageant? If pageant judges decide to focus on contestants’ ethnicity, perhaps they could have asked Miss New Jersey about her impressions of Mayor Giuliani or the scores of Italian American rescue workers who lost their lives on September 11. Italian Americans deserve a better identifier then “The Sopranos.”