March 7, 2002 / New York, New York - The Italian American Museum, the first
museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the cultural and social
contributions of Italian Americans to the American way of life, will honor
four individuals for their outstanding contributions to the Italian-American
experience.

The awards will be presented at the Italian American Museum's Gala and
Awards Ceremony, to be held on Thursday, March 21, 2002, at The Plaza.  The
Italian American Museum Gala and Awards Ceremony is being sponsored by the
John D. Calandra Italian American Institute of Queens College/The City
University of New York.

The honorees are:

.     Lawrence E. Auriana, President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation,
and Chairman of the Federated Kaufmann Fund;

·     Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, author of "Lidia's Italian American
Kitchen", television celebrity chef, and restaurateur;

·     Chazz Palminteri, actor, director, writer; and

·     Honorable Guy J. Velella, Senior Assistant Majority Leader of the New
York State Senate and Chairman of the Labor Committee.

"Our four award recipients represent the diverse arenas in which Italian
Americans have excelled and contributed so abundantly to the financial,
political, and cultural fabric of our country," said Joseph V. Scelsa, EdD,
President and CEO of the Italian American Museum.  "The Italian American
Museum strives to recognize the struggles and celebrate the contributions of
our immigrant ancestors and their heirs."

This year's award recipients will receive a relief of "La Bellissima
America" sculpture, which captures the fears and joys of an immigrant
Italian family landing on the shores of the United States, by artist Patrick
Morelli.

 "The City University of New York has also been very gracious in temporarily
housing our new Museum while we look for a permanent home," said Dr. Scelsa.
"The Gala and Awards Ceremony will bring us one step closer to realizing our
dream of an Italian American Museum."

The Italian American Museum is an outgrowth of the highly acclaimed exhibit,
"The Italians of New York:  Five Centuries of Struggle and Achievement,"
which was held recently at the New York Historical Society.

"Through exhibits, lectures, and festivals, the Italian American Museum will
explore the rich heritage of Italy and Italian America," said Dr. Scelsa.
The Italian American Museum will collect, preserve, and display notable
works of Italians and Italian American to the American experience. "An
important goal of the Museum will be to raise public awareness and
appreciation of the many accomplishments and contributions made by Italian
Americans to the American way of life," he added.

The Italian American Museum received its provisional charter by the New York
State Board of Regents in June, 2001.
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In transitional residence at John D. Calandra Italian American Institute,
Queens College / The City University of New York

28 West 44th Street 17th Floor  NY, NY 10036-7406  212.642.2020  (fax:
212.642.2069)  Info@ItalianAmericanMuseum.org

ITALIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Joseph V. Scelsa, EdD
Telephone: 212.642.2020 / 917.642.4922