ANNIVERSARY GALA - National Italian American Foundation

and officially recognize the Republic of Italy on the
150th Anniversary of its unification. NIAF has been the
lead organization to develop this resolution with the U.S.
Italian American Congressional Delegation (IACD) of
the 112th Congress. NIAF also worked closely with our
area coordinator in Austin, Texas, to develop and pass
a State Resolution honoring the 150th Anniversary
and recognizing Giuseppe Garibaldi as an ‘honorary”
Texan. This resolution passed both the Texas House of
Representatives and the Texas State Senate and was
subsequently signed into law by Governor Rick Perry.
On March 17, 2011, the Republic of Italy officially celebrated
Italy’s 150th Anniversary with a series of activities across
the nation. In Washington, D.C., NIAF hosted the official
Congressional reception with members of the Italian American
Congressional Delegation, in the U.S. Capitol’s historic
Mansfield Room. During the event, Minority Leader Nancy
Pelosi presented Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata with
a Presidential Proclamation on behalf of President Barack
Obama to the Italian Government in recognition of this significant
anniversary and to honor the strong relationship between
the two important allies. IACD Co-Chairs Congressman
Pat Tiberi and Congressman Bill Pascrell also presented the
Ambassador with a Congressional Proclamation recognizing
the anniversary and the valuable role that Italian Americans
have played in the development of our nation.
In May, NIAF hosted a private dinner in Washington, D.C.,
on Capitol Hill with members of the IACD and other
Congressional supporters to honor Defense Secretary Leon
Panetta. This event offered a wonderful opportunity for
NIAF leadership to inform members about the foundation’s
activities, purpose and goals for the upcoming years. Among
the many members who joined us for the evening included
Senator Joe Manchin, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi,
Congressman David Cicilline, Congressman Peter Defazio,
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congresswoman Virginia
Foxx, Congressman Mike Grimm, Congressman Donald
Manzullo, Congressman John Mica, Congressman Bill
Pascrell, Congressman Steve Scalise, Congressman Mike
Thompson, Congressman Pat Tiberi and Congressman
Frank Pallone.
IACD Co-Chair Rep. Pat Tiberi and NIAF President Joseph V. Del
Raso lead a private conference with Italian Parliamentarians during
NIAF Mission to Italy.
During the 2011 NIAF Mission to Italy in June, NIAF met
with a number of government officials. Among the officials
include U.S. Ambassador David Thorne at the Ambassador’s
private residence, Villa Taverna, in Rome, Hon. Maurizio
Lupi, Vice President of the Italian House of Representatives
at the Italian Parliament, Hon. Francesco Cascio, Chairman
of the Sicilian Parliament, at a private dinner in Palermo, and
the Mayor of Sant’Agata di Militello Bruno Mancuso at the
Castello Gallego.
On June 7th, the Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, made
an official visit to Washington, D.C., and met with NIAF
Leadership to announce the newly signed agreement between
Washington and Rome to serve as sister cities. Among the
relationship includes an active cultural exchange initiative,
including the display throughout many Washington museums
of one-of-a-kind Italian artifacts lent from the city of Rome.
Over Labor Day weekend, NIAF hosted a high-level policy
dialogue in Rome with Congressional leaders. This delegation
trip focused on diplomatic exchange between members of the
U.S. Congress and key officials of the Italian government.
Congressman Bill Pascrell and Congressman Pat Tiberi,
co-chairs of the IACD, embarked on a fact finding mission
to better foster U.S.-Italy business, cultural, and political
relations. The US-Italy Parliamentary Dialogue promoted
creative thinking as well as facilitated open and candid discussion
between the Trans-Atlantic leaders. This forum offered
a context in which policy makers and academics could come
together to think about the relationship between Italy and the
United States and broader issues that occupy policy makers
on both sides of the Atlantic.
Special guest Defense
Secretary Leon Panetta
at IACD Congressional
Dinner on Capitol Hill
The 2011 NIAF Gala
Defense Secretary Leon
Panetta and NIAF Board
Member Dr. John Rosa at
IACD Congressional Dinner
The Dialogue consisted of multiple sessions including a
private policy discussion on different aspects of U.S.-Italy
relations, as well as private off-the-record discussions among
leaders about issues they determined as vital and important
to address. The discussions focused on the many ways the
U.S. and Italy continue to work together as global commerce
partners and military allies.
59