FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Attribute to:
Frank J. Guarini, chairman, The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and Joseph R. Cerrell, president, NIAF

(WASHINGTON, DC – November 1, 2002) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) extends its sincerest condolences to the victims and their families suffering from the recent earthquake that struck southern Italy.

This tragic disaster has claimed the lives of innocent children and teachers. Words cannot convey our sense of loss for the innocent victims. Our hearts and prayers are with them and the rescue workers who are frantically trying to save the remaining trapped children.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.4, has resulted in the death of numerous children at a collapsed school in San Giuliano di Puglia in the Region of Molise. With students and teachers still buried under debris of the collapsed school building, rescue workers continue to work diligently to save the remaining trapped victims. There were other collapsed structures in the small village town and additional lives lost.