FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

Event: A SALUTE TO PAM IORIO, MAYOR OF TAMPA

Sponsors: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
When: Saturday, September 20, 2003
Reception & Registration: 6 p.m.
Dinner & Entertainment: 7 p.m.
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel
700 North Westshore Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33609
Phone: 813/289-8200

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the premier ethnic organization for Italian Americans, will host a dinner to honor the mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio, for her leadership and service in Florida. Italian American business professionals and NIAF Council 2000 Network will join Arthur J. Furia, Esq, NIAF board member and regional vice president for the Southeast, Giovanna Carnera, NIAF area coordinator in the Tampa Bay area, and Dott. Gianfranco Colognato, the new consul general of Italy in Miami, to pay tribute to Mayor Iorio.

Iorio, the first Italian American woman to be elected Mayor of Tampa, took office on April 1, 2003. As the mayor of the nation’s 57th largest city, Iorio has focused on neighborhood improvements, creating a residential neighborhood downtown, economic revitalization of Tampa’s most challenged areas, and promoting Tampa as a city for the arts. Iorio began her political career at age 26, when she became the youngest person ever elected to the Hillborough County Commission (1985-1992).

According to the United States Census 2000, Florida has a population of 1,003,977 Italian Americans or six percent of the population.

The event serves as an opportunity for the NIAF to highlight its initiatives and to broaden its membership base. Dinner tickets are $65 per person and includes dinner and entertainment. Cocktail attire. To purchase tickets, contact: Felicia Kopelman at 813/269-7486