FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Alex Benedetto
National Italian American Foundation
202-939-3117
abenedetto@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 30, 2017) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is proud to announce the second year of the NIAF Congressional Fellowship Program to encourage and support the next generation of Italian American leadership.

During the fall of 2017, the Foundation will place five outstanding Italian American college students, graduate students and recent graduates in offices of members of the Italian American Congressional Delegation (IACD), providing the opportunity for first-hand experience in public service.

“We are very excited to renew the NIAF Congressional Fellowship for a second year. Last year’s program proved a great success, allowing us to expand the number of Italian American Congressional Delegation offices participating in the fellowship this year,” said NIAF Manager of Public Policy Lisa Femia. “We are looking forward to building a robust fellowship schedule for 2017 and working with members of Congress.”

Fellows will learn about the legislative process, the issues facing Congress, and the operations of a Congressional office while working for an Italian American leader who has climbed the ladder of public policy success.

The following offices will accept NIAF Congressional Fellows during the fall of 2017: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.); Congressman Robert Brady (Pa.); Congressman David Cicilline (R.I.); Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (Conn.); Congressman Frank LoBiondo (N.J.); Congressman Tom Marino (Pa.); Congressman Bill Pascrell (N.J.); Congressman Tim Ryan (Ohio); House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (La.); Congressman Mike Thompson (Calif.); Congressman Pat Tiberi (Ohio); and Congressman Brad Wenstrup (Ohio).

The NIAF fellows will receive a stipend of $1,000 to help with travel and living expense while in Washington, D.C. As part of the program, fellows will also receive training at NIAF headquarters and will be invited to participate in Foundation events through the fall, including NIAF Public Policy Forums and the NIAF 42^nd Anniversary Gala Weekend, November 3-5, 2017, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park

To learn more about the eligibility requirements of the program, and to apply, please visit: www.niaf.org/fellowship. Deadline to apply is Monday, May 1, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. The Foundation works closely with Congress, The White House, the Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Rome, and the Italian Embassy in Washington to promote Italian American heritage and serve as a bipartisan educational foundation. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org.