EVENT: NIAF EAST COAST GALA

SPONSOR: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

WHEN: Tuesday evening, April 18, 2006
6:00 PM Reception and Silent Auction
7:00 PM Dinner

WHERE: The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
Times Square in New York City

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) will host its annual East Coast Gala, on Tuesday evening, April 18, at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City’s Times Square. NIAF will salute Italian American celebrities and prominent industry leaders for their outstanding leadership in business, government, sports, and entertainment.

During the NIAF East Coast Gala, model and actress Isabella Rossellini will present a scholarship to an outstanding Italian American student. Actor Alan Alda will be inducted into the NIAF Italian American Hall of Fame by Jack Valenti, former president of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). In 1990, Alda received a NIAF Special Achievement Award in the Performing Arts at the NIAF Gala Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.

The 2006 East Coast Honorees:
• Mario Andretti, legendary racer, will receive a NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports.
• Joseph M. Boitano, senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Saks Fifth AvenueEnterprises, will receive a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business.
• Rocco B. Commisso, chairman and CEO of Mediacom Communications Corporation, will receive the NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is best known for commanding the division that captured Saddam Hussein, will receive a NIAF Special Achievement Award for Military Service.

Popular entertainer Joe Piscopo is the evening’s master of ceremonies. The gala is chaired by Frank Petrilli, president and CEO of Nexxar Group Inc. Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo will perform selections from his self-titled CD during the event.

The gala will benefit NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs. Dinner tickets start at $400 per person. Attire: Business. To purchase, contact, Bonni Cellini at 202/939-3114 or bonni@niaf.org. You can also register online at www.niaf.org

NIAF is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. To learn about our programs/events, visit www.niaf.org