While I believe Keynote Speaker Patricia de Stacy Harrison discussing "How our core Italian values can connect and inspire us". is a positive note, I am not impressed with the use of Sal Paolantonio or Jimmy Kimmel, as much as I like them both and admire their talents, seem beneath the Organization and Occasion. (after all it's a Penguin event ! :) 

There appears to be No Mention of Addressing the Continued Media Smear of Italian Americans, the Assault on Columbus Day, The High Drop Out Rate of Italian American High School and College Students, Developing an "Italians Help Italians" modeled after the Jewish Community, and Greater Emphasis on Educating Italian Americans to their Italian and Italian American Culture, and I don't mean merely Language and Cuisine.

NIAF’s 34th Anniversary Convention and Gala
Weekend on October 23-24, 2009, is nation’s premier Italian American event!

In keeping with our tradition of hosting the President of the United States at this event, President Barack Obama has been invited to attend. But most importantly, your attendance will advance NIAF’s educational programs, including scholarships and trips to Italy for young people, grants to organizations and other special initiatives to preserve and share our great heritage.

NIAF 34th Anniversary Gala guests will join Master of Ceremonies Jimmy Kimmel for a night of Italian food, wine and heritage. 

Other gala honorees and celebrity guests from the worlds of sports, politics and entertainment include:

Sports
Vinny Cerrato, Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Washington Redskins
Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Phoenix Suns
Sal Paolantonio, Correspondent on ESPN’s "SportsCenter” & “Sunday NFL Countdown"
Tony Reali, host of ESPN’s "Around the Horn"
Mike Rizzo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals

Politics
Hon. Samuel A. Alito, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Jim Messina, White House Deputy Chief of Staff
General Peter Pace, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
2009 NIAF Honoree Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

Entertainment & Media
Maria Bartiromo, Anchor of CNBC’s "Closing Bell With Maria Bartiromo"
Connie Britton, Actor next starring in "Women in Trouble"
2009 NIAF Honoree Carla Gugino, Actor next starring in "Women in Trouble"
Harrison, Paolantonio to speak to Council Members

ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio will join NIAF Vice Chair Patricia de Stacy Harrison as keynote speakers for NIAF’s Annual Council Breakfast on Saturday, October 24.

Since 1995, Paolantonio has served as a correspondent on ESPN’s " SportsCenter", primarily reporting on the NFL. Beginning in 2004, he also served as host of "NFL Match-Up," a weekly "Xs and Os" football show produced by NFL Films. He received Sports Emmy Awards in 1996, 1997 and 2005 for his contributions to "SportsCenter" and in 2001 and 2004 for his work on "Sunday NFL Countdown."

Harrison, who is president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), plans to discuss how our core Italian values can connect and inspire us. A former entrepreneur, she is a frequent speaker and writer on the subjects of leadership, communication strategy and constituency building. In addition to many articles, she has authored two books, "A Seat At The Table: An Insider's Guide for America's New Women Leaders" and "America 's New Women Entrepreneurs."
http://www.niaf.org/
 

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[Formerly Italy at St Louis]