FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(WASHINGTON, DC – October 5, 2004) Grammy Award-winning country music star Tim McGraw is among the honorees at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) 29th Anniversary Awards Gala, Saturday evening, October 16 at the Hilton Washington & Towers, Washington, D.C. The gala begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner.

Before more than 3,000 people, McGraw, whose mother’s maiden name is D’ Agostino, will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Music. McGraw will be accompanied by his wife, singer Faith Hill, and his mother Betty Trimble.

Popular entertainer Tony Danza is the master of ceremonies. Singer Jo Dee Messina, NFL legend Franco Harris, actors Claudia Cardinale and Giancarlo Giannini will be joined by comedian Fred Travalena at the NIAF gala.

Honorees joining McGraw at the NIAF gala include: Luciano Pavarotti, legendary tenor; Carmella LaSpada, founder of No Greater Love and executive director of The White House Commission on Remembrance; and Joseph J. Plumeri, chairman and CEO of Willis Holdings Group Limited. Pavarotti will be inducted into the NIAF’s “Italian American Hall of Fame” for his work in music. LaSpada will be honored with the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Humanitarian Service. Plumeri will receive the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business.

During the gala, NIAF will announce two new scholarships in honor of the late Jim Cantalupo, former McDonald’s chairman and CEO and member of the NIAF Council, and Jack Valenti, former president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and former member of the NIAF Board of Directors.

The NIAF gala has been traditionally attended by the presidential candidates, members of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, and Italian American leaders in business, sports, government, entertainment and the arts. This year’s dinner chairman is Thomas R. Tizzio, senior vice chairman for American International Group Inc. (AIG).

Dinner tickets begin at $400 each. Proceeds to benefit the NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs. For tickets or sponsor information, contact: Bonni Cellini at 202/939-3114 or bonni@niaf.org or register on-line at www.niaf.org .

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit our website at: www.niaf.org