(WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 24, 2006) Ben S. Bernanke, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, will speak to prominent Italian-American executives at a noon luncheon on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at The Pierre, Fifth Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. The event is hosted by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli, NIAF chairman. Bernanke’s predecessor, Alan Greenspan, addressed the Foundation nine times over the last 15 years.

Chairman Bernanke will speak to approximately 150 business executives, government officials, and other leaders from throughout the U.S. including Lawrence Babbio, president and CEO of Verizon Communications; Louis Cappelli, chairman of Sterling National Bank; Peter D’Aloia, CFO of American Standard Companies; Angelo J. DiLorenzo, president and CEO of Brooklyn Federal Savings Bank; Toni J. Elliott, executive vice president of Smith Barney; Mario Gabelli, portfolio manager of Gabelli Asset Management; Paul Pantozzi, chairman and CEO of Provident Savings Bank; Frank Petrilli, president and CEO of Nexxar Group Inc. and a NIAF board member; and Thomas A. Renyi, chairman and CEO of The Bank of New York Company Inc.

This event is being held under the auspices of the NIAF Public Policy Institute.

Press are asked to register with Elissa Ruffino at 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., representing a network of the most prominent Italian Americans in business, politics and entertainment in the country. Visit www.niaf.org.