by intern David Longo
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
“To be an Italian is to be proud, to be passionate, is to be talented…….we’re all talented, all of us Italians. We have a talent for life,” said actor Paul Sorvino with pride and enthusiasm at the 38th Anniversary of NIAF’s (National Italian American Foundation) Annual Gala at The Washington Hilton.
Actor Paul Sorvino
NIAF honored Italian leaders from fields of philanthropy, international business, business, government, community leadership and entertainment.
Honoree Louis Donatelli
The night opened with Giada Valenti singing the Italian National Anthem, leaving the crowd speechless as they stood and applauded. Paul Sorvino also shared his breathtaking operatic skills later in the night.
Joe Piscopo, Nancy Pelosi, John Viola, John Calvelli and Paul Sorvino
“Viva Italian, viva the United States of America,” President of the Italian Senate Pietro Grasso stated proudly.
H.E. Claudio Bisogniero, The Ambassador of Italy and Pietro Grasso
Living life as an Italian American was a returning topic throughout the night, all of the honorees proclaiming how proud they are to live in “the greatest country of the world.”
Nancy Pelosi, Leon Panetta and Patricia de Stacy Harrison
“I’ve always been proud of being Italian, my parents were immigrants to this country and I’m proud of the fact that they came here and took advantage of the opportunity and they made me appreciate what being Italian is all about.” Leon Panetta stated happily.
When asked about his future plans, Panetta told Hollywood on the Potomac: “I’ll be living life back in my hometown of California spending time with my family, but I still continue to be involved. We have an institute for public policy to get younger generations involved in public life. I’m also doing many speeches here in D.C. and abroad; and also I’m working on a new book!”
Maria Bartiromo and Joe Piscopo
Alongside of co-hosts Maria Bartiromo, anchor of CNBC’s “Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo” and Joe Piscopo, past SNL star and current actor and comedian, honorees included chairman and chief executive officer of Bracco, Diana Bracco; chairman and chief executive officer of Piaggio & C S.p.A. Roberto Colaninno; founder and chairman of Donatelli Development, Louis T. Donatelli; former Director of the CIA and former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; chairman and founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame George Randazzo and award winning actor Paul Sorvino.
Laura Bisogniero, Former Amb. to the Vatican Jim Nicholson (center)
John Violla: “We’re very lucky [NIAF], we’ve always had great participation from our government, it’s a testament to the Italian American voice in the nation.”
George Randazzo: “I’m very proud to have worked with the NIAF for the years that I have, and I am proud to be an Italian.”
