[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 131 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11106-S11107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SONS OF ITALY FOUNDATION EIGHTH ANNUAL NATIONAL EDUCATION AND 
                         LEADERSHIP AWARDS GALA

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I want to congratulate the Sons 
of Italy Foundation [SIF] for its eighth annual National Education and 
Leadership Awards [NELA] gala, which was held May 2, 1996, at the 
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, in Washington, DC. I had the opportunity 
of attending this worthy and inspirational event, and I have had the 
honor of serving as chairman of the NELA gala in the past. This worthy 
and inspirational annual event has gained wide recognition during the 
past few years in Congress, the corporate community, educational 
institutions, and others in the philanthropic community throughout the 
Nation for its promotion of educational excellence and 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 1996 National Leadership Grant Competition, an annual merit-
based national scholarship competition. In addition, the SIF presented 
the 1996 NELA's to Northwest Airlines Corp. Cochairman Alfred Checchi 
and Pennsylvania State University football coach Joseph V. Paterno. In 
selecting Messrs. Checchi and Paterno for this honor and in awarding a 
merit-based academic scholarship in each of their names, the SIF has 
recognized two of the most outstanding role models in the Italian-
American community.
  The lives of these two men of enormous achievement and strong 
character serve as reminders of why our forebears traveled to this 
country and why today's immigrants are so eager to make their homes in 
our great country, where opportunity abounds for those willing to learn 
and work hard. The achievements of these two men speak highly of the 
importance of strong family support, educational achievement, and 
professional integrity. These are values on which all of us agree, 
regardless of our racial, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. These 
common values, aptly expressed through the NELA gala, are what bind us 
as Americans. Most appropriately, the scholarships that the SIF awarded

[[Page S11107]]

in the names of Mr. Checchi and Mr. Paterno will support the dreams and 
aspirations of outstanding young students. There is no more important 
work for us to perform, no greater gift we can give than to support our 
youth.
  The long and distinguished record of generous support for education 
earned by the SIF and its parent organization, the Order Sons of Italy 
in America, should be recognized and praised. These generous 
contributions in support of the future of our Nation are made largely 
by the modest and heartfelt donations of the hundreds of thousands of 
OSIA members throughout our United States. During the past three 
decades, OSIA and the SIF have distributed more than $21 million in 
academic scholarships. The leaders and members of OSIA and the SIF have 
set an excellent example for other nonprofit and fraternal 
organizations in their unselfish support of the young people of our 
Nation.
  I commend Mr. Paul S. Polo, national president of OSIA and chairman 
of the SIF; Mr. Valentino Ciullo, president of the SIF; Ms. Jo-Anne 
Gauger, chairwoman of OSIA's National Education Committee; Mr. Joseph 
E. Antonini, 1996 NELA gala chairman; and Dr. Philip R. Piccigallo, 
national executive director of the OSIA and the SIF, for their 
leadership roles in the 1996 NELA gala and the National Leadership 
Grant Competition.
  Listed below are the names of the 12 winners of the 1996 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: Mr. Michael Sollazzo, Henry Salvatori Scholarship; Mr. 
Andrea Mazzariello, Alfred Checchi Scholarship; Mr. Brian Iammartino, 
Joseph V. Paterno Scholarship; Ms. Jillian Catalanotti, Dr. Vincenzo 
Sellaro Scholarship; Mr. Todd Builione, Carlone Family/Peter B. Gay 
Scholarship; Mr. Ben Jamieson, Hon. Frank J. Montemuro Jr. Scholarship; 
Mr. Anthony Draye, Joseph E. Antonini Scholarship; Ms. Stephanie Di 
Vito, Hon. Silvio O. Conte Scholarship; Ms. Anastasia Ferrante, Lou 
Carnesecca Scholarship; Mr. Federico Rossi, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci 
Scholarship; Mr. Corey Ciocchetti, Pearl Tubiolo Scholarship; and Mr. 
William Karazsia, OSIA-John Cabot University Scholarship and the Pietro 
Secchia Scholarship.

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