FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

EVENT: NIAF 29th Anniversary Awards Gala

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

The NIAF awards gala is one of the premier annual events in Washington, DC, attracting more than 3,000 people from 42 states. Traditionally, the event has been attended by every U.S. President and presidential candidate since 1975. Members of the Italian American Congressional Delegation and prominent Italian American leaders in business, sports, government, entertainment and the arts are expected at the event.

The Year 2004 NIAF Honorees are: (partial list)
In Music:
• Luciano Pavarotti; legendary tenor, will be inducted into the NIAF Italian American Hall of Fame in Music
• Tim McGraw; Grammy Award-winning country music star, will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Music
In Business:
• Fedele Confalonieri; chairman of Mediaset SpA, will receive the U.S./ Italy Friendship Award • Joseph J Plumeri; chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings Limited, will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business

During the gala and convention weekend, NIAF will also feature conferences, exhibits, the traditional celebrity luncheon and auction, and a seminar on tourism. On Friday, October 15, 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 Italian Americans and the 2004 Presidential Election conference. Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, will attend a private NIAF CEO luncheon, and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will participate in the Milestones of the Italian American Experience conference on October 16. Thomas R. Tizzio, senior vice chairman for American International Group Inc. (AIG), is the dinner chairman.

Dinner tickets begin at $400 per person. Proceeds 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, non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of Italian Americans. The Foundation has a wide-range of programs that provide scholarships and grants, legislative internships in Congress, conferences and cultural seminars. Visit our website at www.niaf.org .