FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF)  elissa@niaf.org

** Jerry Lewis To Announce Dean Martin Scholarship In Music **

(WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 7, 2002) Actor, director and producer, Robert De Niro, actress Sophia Loren and Sony Music’s Thomas (Tommy) D. Mottola are among the honorees at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) 27th Anniversary Awards Gala, Saturday evening, October 26 at the Hilton Washington &Towers, Washington, D.C. The gala begins with a reception at 6 PM, followed by dinner.

Robert De Niro and Sophia Loren will be inducted into the NIAF’s Italian American Hall of Fame for their work in the entertainment industry. Thomas (Tommy) D. Mottola, chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., will receive a NIAF Special Achievement Award in the Music Industry. Earlier this year, actor Nicolas Cage was the first Italian American inducted into the Foundation’s Hall of Fame for his work in the cinema at the NIAF West Coast Gala in Beverly Hills, CA.

Jerry Lewis, actor and comedian, will open the NIAF gala along with Deanna Martin, daughter of famed crooner, Dean Martin, to announce the Dean Martin Scholarship in Music.

Celebrities attending the NIAF dinner include singer, Tony Bennett, Bobby Rydell, jazz musician, Chuck Mangione, and actors Danny Aiello, Michael Badalucco of ABC’s “The Practice,” Ruth Buzzi, Robert Loggia and Doris Roberts, who recently won an Emmy for “Everyone Loves Raymond.”

Bruce Arena, US World soccer coach; Yogi Berra, baseball legend, Brian Boitano, Olympic gold medalist; Joe Gibbs, NASCAR team owner; Tommy Lasorda, Dodger icon and Bruno Sammartino, former World Champion wrestler, will also join the NIAF honorees at the dinner. They will be joined by Ambassadors, Governors and Members of the House and Senate.

Business honorees joining De Niro, Loren and Mottola at this year’s gala include Christina Johnson, president & CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, and Robert Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO of The Home Depot. They will receive the Foundation’s Special Achievement Awards in Business. Paul Chiapparone, vice chairman of Electronic Data Systems (EDS), will receive the NIAF’s Special Achievement Award for Humanitarian Service.

Dick Grasso, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) chairman and NIAF vice chairman, is this year’s dinner chairman. CNBC Anchor Ron Insana is the master of ceremonies. Proceeds from the event benefit the NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs. For tickets or sponsor information, contact: Michael Sanzi at 202/387-0600 michael@niaf.org or register on- line at www.niaf.org