FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 24, 2007) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) congratulates Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C., on receiving the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for science. The National Science Foundation administers the award, which was established by Congress in 1959.

During a ceremony at the White House on July 27, President George W. Bush will present the prestigious award to Fauci and seven other individuals for their pioneering efforts in scientific research. Fauci will receive the award for his groundbreaking work in understanding the human immune system and its relationship with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). His work has served as the foundation for current treatment strategies for HIV, and the AIDS virus.

A longtime NIAF supporter, Fauci received the Foundation’s Special Achievement Award for Medicine and Science during NIAF’s 19th Anniversary Awards Gala in 1994. Last year, Fauci served as a keynote speaker at a NIAF Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum on Capitol Hill. During the forum he discussed the timely issue of the bird flu epidemic before Members of Congress, prominent Italian-American business executives, and health care experts.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Fauci earned his doctorate in medicine from Cornell University Medical College in 1966. He completed his internship and residency at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Fauci has served as visiting professor at major medical centers throughout the country and has delivered major lectureships worldwide. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his scientific accomplishments including the National Medal of Science and 32 honorary doctorate degrees from universities in the United States and abroad.

NIAF is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.