National Italian American Foundation

Teams USA and Italy win Gold and Silver in Gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympics!🇮🇹🇺🇸 As Simone Biles clinched Team USA's gold medal, Italy accomplished a historic feat taking the silver medal! This was the first time Italy has made it to the podium since 1928. The two teams shared a sweet moment hugging and congratulating one another on their victories.

The Italian Air Force’s Frecce Tricolori fly over Chicago, Illinois! ✈️🇮🇹 It is 91 years to the month that Royal Italian Air Force General Italo Balbo flew his air armada of 24 Savoia Marchetti seaplanes from Italy to Chicago for the Century of Progress exhibition in 1933, marking the first mass flight across north Atlantic. Today, the Italian Air Force returned to the skies over Chicago with a flyover by the Italian Air Force’s famous Frecce Tricolori acrobatic team. Hundreds of Chicagoans lined Navy Pier for the flyover of Italy famous Frecce Tricolori (Tri-Colored Arrows) Air Force acrobatic team. Pictured is NIAF President Robert Allegrini with Italian Air Force General Luigi Del Bene at the flyover of the Frecce Tricolori at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

It’s Wednesday, July 24th and we’re covering NIAF's recent event honoring NATO General Christopher Cavoli, and opportunities for Italian American student leaders and golf enthusiasts! Don't miss this edition of NIAF News! NIAF News is your bi-weekly news flash on all the latest happenings in Italy and the Italian American community, brought to you by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). Hosted by Gabriella Mileti, Director of Special Programs and PR at NIAF.

Attention Young Investigators! The ISSNAF (Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation) is now accepting applications for their annual Young Investigator Awards! Every year, ISSNAF awards the Young Investigator Awards in various disciplines to outstanding, early-career Italian researchers working in the United States or Canada, in recognition of their significant and innovative contributions to their field of research.  Apply by August 4th! Click the links below to learn more!

Celebrating Italian American Public Service! Last night, NIAF hosted a reception honoring the bipartisan Italian American commitment to public service at the Calderone Club in Milwaukee. NIAF President Robert Allegrini, NIAF Vice Chair National Anita Bevacqua McBride, NIAF board members Hon. Mike Ferguson and Dominic Caglioti and NIAF Director of Public Affairs and Development Anthony O'Boyle were joined by notable attendees included former Attorney General of Florida Pam Bondi, former Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Defense Kash Patel, former United States Ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell, NJ Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, NYC Council Member David Carr and Jondavid R. Longo Mayor of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Proud to recognize the contributions of Italian Americans across the political spectrum. #NIAF #ItalianAmerican #PublicService #Bipartisanship

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION Attributable to Chairman Robert E. Carlucci The National Italian American Foundation extends its deepest condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore, a brave American of Italian descent, who died heroically shielding his family from a gunman’s bullets Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. Our thoughts and prayers are also focused on the other victims of the gunman’s attack including former President Donald J. Trump. In this time of national tragedy, all Americans must come together to renounce violence and the uncivil political discourse that often fuels such violence. We must always recall that what unites Americans of all races and ethnicities is a common love for the founding principles of our nation including the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of our differences at the ballot box.

Italian Deputy PM Antonio Tajani gives NIAF a special shoutout on CNN Español! Watch as he highlights the strong Italian American connection during the NATO Summit in DC: "Americans are always friends of Italy. Today, I'm going to greet NIAF, the Italian American organization. This is the history and tradition of the United States - always talking with Italians." Tajani recognizes the importance of Italian heritage in the USA, from past immigrants to today's thriving community. #NIAF #ItalianAmerican #TajaniOnCNN #USItalyFriendship #NATOSummit

NIAF honors NATO Gen. Cavoli at a reception on the occasion of the 75th NATO Summit! Watch Gen. Cavoli receive the prestigious LaGuardia Medal and deliver a heartfelt bilingual speech: "Sappiate che questo Americano batte un cuore Italiano." (Know that this American's heart beats Italian) Featuring Italy's Deputy PM Tajani, DefMin Crosetto, and Ambassador Zappia at this star-studded event! #ItalianAmerican #NATO #USItalyRelations #NIAF #MilitaryExcellence

Last night, NIAF honored NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, with the prestigious Fiorello LaGuardia Medal at a special reception during the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. Gen. Cavoli, in a moving bilingual speech, highlighted his Italian American heritage: "I consider myself fortunate to have a country that I would die for, but that so happily allows me to blend my heritage with my citizenship." He concluded with, "Sappiate che questo Americano batte un cuore Italiano", (Know that this American's heart beats Italian). The event celebrated Italian American excellence in the military and strengthened U.S.-Italy ties. Notable attendees included Italy's Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Italian Ambassador to the US Mariangela Zappia. NIAF also announced an exciting partnership with Vicenza, Italy, for the first-ever Italy USA Friendship Festival in 2025! #NIAF #ItalianAmerican #NATO #USItalyRelations

NIAF Board Member and Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple University College of Science and Technology, Dr. Antonio Giordano recently was awarded the Da Vinci Award 2024 from the Taobuk Taormina International Book Festival. Dr. Giordano’s research is focused on the diagnosis, treatment and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic diseases. He has published over 600 articles and helped identify anticancer agents for mesothelioma. Prizes are awarded annually to high-profile personalities from the literary, artistic and civic world. Congratulazioni Dr. Giordano!