Sons of Italy celebrate their 100th Anniversary, and honoring Italian Americans,
by affixing the Italian Flag to the top of the 65 foot tree 'Bowling Green' Christmas tree in New York's Financial District.

It is the First time that any Foreign Flag has flown on the tree.  This is only the third year a flag rather than a star has topped the Bowling Green tree.

In 2001, an American flag flew honoring those lost on September 11. In 2002, the New York City flag was placed in celebration of the city's 350th anniversary.

Washington - December 16, 2004 -

For the first time in its history, the traditional Bowling Green Christmas tree in New York's Financial District is flying the Italian flag.

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) took part in the December 13 lighting ceremony to honor Italian Americans across the country and the coming of OSIA's 100th anniversary on June 22, 2005.

Joseph Sciame, OSIA's national president, rode a lift to the top of the 65-foot tree where he placed the Italian flag.

"It is an honor to be a part of this unprecedented event. OSIA and all Italian Americans will be proud to see the flag of our ancestors waving atop such an important New York City Christmas landmark."

This is the third year a flag rather than a star has topped the Bowling Green tree.

In 2001, an American flag flew honoring those lost on September 11.
In 2002, the New York City flag was placed in celebration of the city's 350th anniversary.

Also attending the event was Italian American sculptor Arturo DiModica. His masterpiece, the 3 ½ ton bronze statue, "Raging Bull" is directly in front of the Bowling Green tree and is celebrating its 15th anniversary at this location.

The lighting ceremony was made possible through the support of private donations and the leadership of Frank Sciame, president of Frank J. Sciame Construction, Joseph Sciame's cousin.
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OSIA has more than 600,000 members and supporters and a network of more than 700 chapters coast to coast. OSIA works at the community, national and international levels to promote the heritage and culture of an estimated 26 million Italian Americans, the nation's fifth largest ethnic group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Press Release for Immediate Dissemination

See www.osia.org .
Contact:
Kylie Cafiero
Communications Manager
email: kcafiero@osia.org
voice: 202/547-2900