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 14, 2002) “No matter what their political persuasion, Italian Americans can be proud that Nancy Pelosi made history. She was elected Leader of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives.

She becomes both the highest ranking woman and highest ranking Italian American in the history of the U.S. Congress. As a longtime member of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Board of Directors, the NIAF is particularly pleased by this overwhelming election. NIAF’s board has been filled with Members of Congress from both parties since its founding 27 years ago.

Rep. Pelosi grew up in Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood as the only girl and youngest of seven children in an Italian Catholic family. Public service runs through her lineage. Her father, Thomas J. D’Alesandro Jr., was a U.S. congressman and then mayor of Baltimore, from 1947 to 1959. Her brother, Thomas J. D’Alesandro III, also served as mayor of Baltimore from 1967 to 1971. Rep. Pelosi and her husband, Paul have five children and five grandchildren. Rep. Pelosi’s ancestors are from Naples, Italy.”