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Captain of Industry Joseph Plumeri To be Honored at Largest Italian American Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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


(WASHINGTON, DC – September 20, 2004) Joseph J. Plumeri, chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings Ltd., is among the honorees at National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) 29th Anniversary Awards Gala, Saturday evening, October 16 at the Hilton Washington & Towers, Washington, D.C. The gala begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner.

Before more than 3,000 people, Plumeri will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business.

This year’s NIAF gala honorees include Tim McGraw, Grammy Award-winning country music star and Luciano Pavarotti, legendary tenor and Carmella LaSpada, founder of No Greater Love and executive director of The white House Commission on Remembrance. McGraw will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Music. He will be accompanied by his wife, singer Faith Hill. Pavarotti will be inducted in to the NIAF Italian American Hall of Fame in Music. LaSpada will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Humanitarian Service.

President George W. Bush, Senator John Kerry, members of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, and Italian American leaders in business, sports, government, entertainment and the arts are expected to attend the event. This year’s dinner chairman is Thomas R. Tizzio, senior vice chairman for American International Group Inc. (AIG). Popular entertainer Tony Danza is the master of ceremonies.

Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, will attend a private NIAF CEO luncheon during the gala and convention weekend. NIAF will also feature conferences, exhibits, the traditional celebrity luncheon and auction, and a seminar on tourism. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will participate in the Milestones of the Italian American Experience conference on October 16. Attendees will have the opportunity to have candid discussions with children of some of the most famous Italian Americans of the past at the Children of the Greats conference, and attend the Italian Americans and the 2004 Presidential Election conference.

Dinner tickets begin at $400 each. Proceeds to benefit the NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs. For tickets or sponsor information, contact: Bonni Cellini at 202/939-3114 or bonni@niaf.org or register on-line at www.niaf.org .

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