[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 94 (Friday, June 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1210-E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  SONS OF ITALY FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL NATIONAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP 
                             AWARD CEREMONY

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 1995
  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Sons of Italy 
Foundation for its Seventh Annual National Education and Leadership 
Award ceremony, which was held April 20 at the National Press Club. 
This successful event has gained wide recognition during the past few 
years in Congress, in the corporate community, and among others in the 
philanthropic community throughout the Nation for its promotion of 
educational excellence and [[Page E1211]] professional achievement. I 
commend the SIF for the encouragement it provides to some of our 
Nation's most outstanding young scholars and future leaders.
  At this year's event, the SIF presented scholarships to the winners 
of the 1995 National Leadership Grant Competition, the SIF's annual 
merit-based national scholarship competition. In addition, the SIF 
presented the 1995 NELA to businessman and philanthropist Joseph E. 
Antonini. Mr. Antonini's achievements in leading one of our Nation's 
largest retailers, Kmart Corp., and his strong support of charitable 
and educational institutions in Michigan and in his native State of 
West Virginia speak volumes for his character, perseverance, and 
leadership. In selecting Mr. Antonini for this honor and in awarding a 
merit-based academic scholarship in his name, the SIF has recognized 
one of the Italian-American community's most outstanding role models.
  Mr. Antonini's rise from management trainee to corporate chief 
executive is an inspiring example of the American dream. The career of 
this son of Italian immigrants serves as a reminder of why our parents 
and grandparents traveled to this country and why today's immigrants 
are so eager to make their homes in our great country. Most 
appropriately, the scholarship that the SIF awarded in Mr. Antonini's 
name can now help the dreams and aspirations of an outstanding young 
student come true. There is no more important work for us to perform, 
no greater gift we can give.
  The Order of the Sons of Italy of America's long and distinguished 
record of generous support for education should be recognized and 
praised. During the past three decades, OSIA and the SIF have 
distributed more than $20 million for academic scholarships. The 
leaders of OSIA and the SIF have set a worthy example for other 
nonprofit organizations in their unselfish support of the young of our 
Nation.
  I commend Ms. Joanne L. Strollo, national president of OSIA and 
chairwoman of the SIF; Mr. Valentino Ciullo, president of the SIF; Mr. 
Joseph Sciame, chairman of OSIA's National Education Committee; 
Ambassador Peter F. Secchia, NELA dinner chairman; and Dr. Philip R. 
Piccigallo, national executive director of the OSIA and the SIF, for 
their leadership roles in the 1995 NELA ceremony and the National 
Leadership Grant Competition.
  Listed below are the names of the 10 winners of the National 
Leadership Grant Competition. These young men and women represent our 
Nation's highest level of academic achievement and leadership 
potential. I offer congratulations and heartfelt wishes for future 
success to:
  Dominic A. Ricci, Joseph E. Antonini scholarship.
  Brett Vasconcellos, Henry Salvatori scholarship.
  Joseph H. Casola Jr., Louis J. Free-Michael Cappellotti-Daniel A. 
D'Amico scholarship.
  Natalie A. DiPietro, The Hon. Frank J. Montemuro scholarship.
  Danielle M. Dorsaneo, Pearl Tubiolo scholarship.
  Morgan Lazzaro-Smith, Joanne L. Strollo scholarship.
  Matthew J. Lazzara, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci scholarship.
  William Lentz, The Hon. Silvio O. Conte scholarship.
  Gary W. Caliendo, Lou Carnesecca scholarship.
  Stacy Deanne Cerrutti, Giovanni Glessi scholarship.
  

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