[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 177 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING ANITA BEVACQUA McBRIDE ON BEING KNIGHTED WITH HONOR OF 
      ``CAVALIERE'' OF THE ORDER OF MERIT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2020

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor Anita 
Bevacqua McBride, the Vice Chair of Cultural Affairs of the National 
Italian American Foundation (NIAF), on receiving the Italian honor of 
``Cavaliere'' of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the 
highest-ranking honor of the Italian Republic. On October 7, Ambassador 
Armando Varricchio of Italy presented this high honor to Ms. McBride, a 
testament to her lifetime of extraordinary accomplishment in service of 
the humanities, culture, philanthropy, and diplomacy.
  The daughter of Italian immigrants, Ms. McBride was born and raised 
in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She received a degree in International 
Studies from the University of Connecticut and studied international 
relations and three languages at American University in Washington, 
D.C. and the University of Florence in Italy.
  Ms. McBride currently serves as executive-in-residence at the Center 
for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public 
Affairs at American University, where she directs the First Ladies 
Initiative, a project highlighting the legacies of America's first 
ladies and their historical influence on politics and policy.
  Ms. McBride's White House service spans two decades and three 
administrations. From 1987 through 1992, Ms. McBride was Director of 
White House Personnel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. 
Bush. She later served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. 
Department of State and White House Liaison from 2001 through 2003 
under President George W. Bush.
  From 2005 through 2009, Ms. McBride served as Assistant to President 
George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, directing 
the staff's work on the wide variety of domestic and global initiatives 
including the First Lady's efforts to support U.S. foreign policy 
objectives in human rights, women's empowerment, global health and 
human freedom.
  Ms. McBride has added to her distinguished career with several 
accomplishments in service of philanthropy and global leadership. Ms. 
McBride is a member of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council, a historic 
public-private partnership to help Afghanistan's women rebuild their 
country and reclaim their place at the center of post-Taliban society. 
Ms. McBride served as a member of the U.S. delegations to the U.N. 
Commission on the Status of Women in 2002, the U.N. Commission on Human 
Rights in 2003, and the U.N. Special Session on HIV/ AIDS in 2006.
  Additionally, Ms. McBride is the reciprent of several honors and 
awards including the U.S. Department of State's Meritorious Service 
Award, the United States National Guard and Reserve's Patriot Award, 
the University of Connecticut's President's Award of Distinction, 
American University's Alice Paul Award, and The Ellis Island Foundation 
Medal of Honor.
  Ms. McBride is a role model for Italian Americans, for women, and for 
anyone aspiring to make a positive difference in the world. I am proud 
to rise today in recognition of her receiving the more than well-
deserved honor of ``Cavaliere'' of the Order of Merit of the Italian 
Republic.

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