AUR Board of Trustees Chair and NIAF President Joseph Del Raso welcomed the President of the United States of America to the NIAF’s 36th Anniversary Gala, on October 29, 2011.
President Del Raso and the NIAF leadership had the opportunity to meet President Obama in private prior to his appearance on the Washington Hilton stage, where he delivered a keynote speech to an audience of over 2,000 eminent guests.
In his speech President Obama recalled the history of the U.S. Italian American community and summoned the spirit and hard work of Italian immigrants across the centuries. Obama praised the contribution of Italian Americans in the United States and Italy as ” one of our major allies, and one of NATO’s founding members”.
Amongst the guests were Democratic Leader of the United States House of Representatives Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Hon. Janet Napolitano, Italy’s Minister of Youth Policy Giorgia Meloni , Emma Marcegaglia, president of Confindustria and CEO of Marcegaglia S.p.A., Santo Versace, president of Gianni Versace S.p.A, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci.
AUR’s President Ad Interim Andrew Thompson and Vice President for Administrative Services Giliola Pilloni were also present at the NIAF Gala dinner and The American University of Rome was an exhibitor at Expo Italia over the two days of the NIAF event.
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