L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano T h e N a t i o n a l Italian Ameri- c a n F o u n d a - tion (NIAF) cel- ebrated its 49th Anniversary Gala on Satur- d a y , O c t o b e r 2 6 , a t t h e Omni Shoreham Hotel in W a s h i n g t o n , D C . T h e black-tie event, which was sold out weeks in advance, was once again an opportu- n i t y t o c e l e b r a t e t h e r i c h legacy of Italian Americans and their contributions to the United States. With over 1,000 distinguished guests from the United States and Italy, the Gala was a moment of r efl ection, networ king, and fun. L i k e e v e r y y e a r , t h e evening featured one of the Italian regions, and this time around was Friuli Venezia Giulia. The 2024 Region of H o n o r s h o w c a s e d i t s r i c h h i s t o r y , c u l t u r e , a n d e c o - n o m i c o p p o r t u n i t i e s . I t s President, who happened to be also the President of the C o n f e r e n c e o f I t a l i a n R e g i o n s a n d A u t o n o m o u s Provinces, Massimiliano Fedriga, was in attendance to represent the region and highlight its unique offer- ings. While learning about the region, attendees could also taste a dinner featuring an exquisite culinary journey through the authentic flavors and gastronomic traditions Friuli Venezia Giulia. "Our territory is among the most advanced for research and economic growth, it offers s i g n i f i c a n t i n v e s t m e n t opportunities for US compa- nies. Friuli Venezia Giulia has a centuries-old history, a n d f i v e U N E S C O W o r l d Heritage Sites. We must not forget our excellences, like food and wine. By collaborat- ing with the US, we will be able to build a solid and last- i n g p a r t n e r s h i p t h a t w i l l bring mutual benefits," Pres- ident Fedriga shared, during his speech as honoree. A m o n g t h e g u e s t s w e r e a l s o t h e r e c e i v e r s o f t h e L e o n a r d o D a V i n c i awards, given to outstand- ing people who are making a difference in different indus- tries and areas: Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D., Director of t h e N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f Health, received the NIAF Leonardo da Vinci Award in Health and Science; Carlo C i m b r i o f U n i p o l G r u p p o S.p.A. and UnipolSai, was p r e s e n t e d w i t h t h e N I A F Leonardo da Vinci Award in Corporate Social Responsi- bility and Impact; Admiral L i s a F r a n c h e t t i , U n i t e d States Navy Chief of Naval Operations, who was hon- ored with the NIAF Leonar- do da Vinci Award in Mili- t a r y S e r v i c e ; K e v i n McCarthy, 55th Speaker of the US House of Represen- t a t i v e s , w h o r e c e i v e d t h e N I A F L e o n a r d o d a V i n c i A w a r d i n P u b l i c S e r v i c e ; Carlo Messina, Managing Director and Chief Execu- tive Officer of Intesa San- p a o l o , w h o r e c e i v e d t h e Leonardo da Vinci Award in Business; Gina M. Raimon- do, who was presented with the NIAF Leonardo da Vinci Award in Public Service. Admiral Lisa Franchet- ti shared her personal story in the remarks following the ceremony: "My great-grand- parents came to America in s e a r c h o f t h e A m e r i c a n dream — life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and new opportunities for their families. They arrived with t h e f i r m b e l i e f a n d t h e strongest of convictions: if you worked hard, learned all you could, and did things the right way, you and your family would find success in this new world." And contin- u e d : " M y g r a n d f a t h e r , Rebello Franchetti, a sea- s o n e d s t o n e c u t t e r , l i v e d t h o s e v a l u e s , a s d i d m y g r a n d m o t h e r , C h i a r i n a Rhea, the matriarch of our family. Together, they laid a strong foundation for my father, Lawrence Franchetti to be the first person in our f a m i l y t o g o t o c o l l e g e , b e c o m e a n e n g i n e e r a n d find his success as a plant m a n a g e r . T h r o u g h t h e e x a m p l e t h e y s e t , t h e y passed on those same val- ues— values you've heard a lot about tonight — to me." Mrs Gina M. Raimon- do also took a moment to celebrate her Italian roots a n d l e g a c y : " G r o w i n g u p Italian has been everything to me and to my family. It's who we are, what we value. We are so proud of our Ital- i a n h e r i t a g e , " s h e s a i d . "Like many of you, I grew up in an Italian household with my parents, and my grand- f a t h e r P i e t r o P i e r o f r o m Ischia. We are three genera- t i o n s , s e v e n p e o p l e , o n e house, two kitchens," Mrs Raimondo joked. "The way we honor their sacrifice and their strength is by continu- ing to go forward, by work- ing hard, by improving the w o r l d , b y a c h i e v i n g o u r potential, and by never for- getting our roots and histo- ry," 'she concluded. Mr Kevin McCarthy, from the stage, outlined the words his parents told him: "You will never be successful unless you have an Italian mother. My mother passed away this year. Throughout her life, she instilled in me what she learned from her father, Guido Palladino, who came to America at 10. She instilled in me the belief that you can reach whatever you want, but you need to keep y o u r f a m i l y c l o s e , a n d a l w a y s b e l i e v e i n w h a t brought you to this point. And you never give up." The evening was attended b y a n u m b e r o f s p e c i a l guests, including: the Unit- ed States Ambassador to Italy, Jack Markell; the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Mari- angela Zappia; the Presi- dent of the Region of Lazio, Francesco Rocca; the 56th G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e o f New York, Andrew Cuomo; S e n a t o r o f t h e I t a l i a n Republic representing North a n d C e n t r a l A m e r i c a , Francesca La Marca; Deputy r e p r e s e n t i n g N o r t h a n d Central America in the Ital- ian Chamber of Deputies, C h r i s t i a n D i S a n z o ; a n d Emmy award-winning tele- v i s i o n h o s t , b e s t - s e l l i n g c o o k b o o k a u t h o r a n d r e s t a u r a t e u r L i d i a B a s - tianich. The gala was co-hosted by Maria Bartiromo, Anchor and Global Markets Editor for FOX Business Network a n d F O X N e w s C h a n n e l , and Joe Piscopo, renowned entertainer, actor, and radio host. The event featured a s p e c i a l p e r f o r m a n c e b y Christopher Macchio, lyric tenor and classical recording artist. "The annual gala was a celebration of Italian Ameri- can excellence and a testa- ment to the enduring bonds between the United States a n d I t a l y , " N I A F P r e s i - d e n t R o b e r t A l l e g r i n i said. "We were excited to honor these distinguished individuals and to show the b e a u t y a n d p o t e n t i a l o f Friuli Venezia Giulia." For P r e s i d e n t A l l e g r i n i , t h e e v e n t c a m e a f t e r a g r e a t evening, the day before, at V i l l a F i r e n z e , w h e r e h e received Italy's highest state h o n o r f r o m A m b a s s a d o r Z a p p i a : t h e O r d e r o f Merit, in the 2nd highest of i t s f i v e g r a d e s , G r a n d e Ufficiale. President Alle- grini received the Order for more than 30 years of ser- vice to the Italian American community, including lead- ing the renaissance of NIAF in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and transforming it, over the past three and h a l f y e a r s , i n t o a m o r e transatlantic-focused orga- nization. During the program, the NIAF 50th Anniversary logo w a s r e v e a l e d , a n d g u e s t s were encouraged to save the date for the Anniversary cel- e b r a t i o n o n O c t o b e r 1 8 , 2 0 2 5 , a t t h e W a s h i n g t o n Hilton. Funds raised at the NIAF Gala directly supported the Foundation's mission and e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m s , including scholarships, cul- tural preservation efforts, and initiatives to strengthen US-Italy ties. SERENA PERFETTO N I A F 4 9 t h A n n i v e r s a r y G a l a honored legacy and excellence while celebrating strong US-Italy ties The opening moment of the 49th Anniversary Gala, in Washington DC (Photo: Andy Del Giudice and Chris Bryan) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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