First there is DON FIORE (of Chicago), who first re-discovered this episode, and led this effort, and galvanized others, to make this all possible, in the face of great initial apathy.
Joining him in this effort were : ROBERT ALLEGRINI (in Chicago) and FRANCO GIANNOTTI (in St Louis). St. Louis will celebrate on Thursday, May 16.
None of this would have been possible without the enthusiastic collaboration of Console Generale Enrico Granara (of Chicago), and the endorsement of CG Massimo Rustico (of Houston).
Other Members of the Team were: Massimo Cirulli (Italy), Walter Santi, Dominic Tassone, Giovanni Bucci, (all three of Chicago), VC Joseph Colagiovanni, Marianne Peri-Sack, Antonino Lombardo, Angelo Sita (all four of St. Louis).
A comprehensive group of articles is available at <A HREF="http://www.italystl.com/">Italy
at St. Louis Index Page</A>< http://www.italystl.com >(at the Far
Right of the Home Page- "Eroi Dell' Aria"), that includes a list
of contributors, all of whom are owed a debt of gratitude for the almost
$40,000 that was raised plus services that were
donated.
====================================================
NIAF COMMEMORATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC CHICAGO FLIGHT MADE BY "ITALIAN LINDBERGH," FRANCESCO DE PINEDO
Mayor Daley Proclaims May 15, 2002 "De Pinedo Day"
WASHINGTON, DC-May 13, 2002-The National Italian American Foundation
(NIAF) joins the Consulate General of Italy, the Istituto Italiano
di Cultura, the
Italian Trade Commission, the Italian Government Tourist Board, the
City of
Chicago, and other Italian American organizations to celebrate and
commemorate on Wednesday, May 15, 2002, the 75th anniversary of the
first
international flight to the United States of Francesco De Pinedo, the
first
foreign aviator to arrive in the United States.
De Pinedo was the first European pilot to reach America by landing his
hydroplane on the waters near Chicago's Navy Pier via New Orleans,
his first
stop. It was not for another month that he arrived in Chicago
on May 15,
1927.
The celebration will begin with the opening of a major exhibition
of
vintage memorabilia and posters entitled, "Wings of Italy." In honor
of this
historic event, Mayor Richard M. Daley will proclaim May 15, 2002 "De
Pinedo
Day," in honor of the "Italian Lindbergh," Francesco de Pinedo.
More than
forty Italian art posters and other artifacts will showcase the golden
age
of Italian aviation.
Guests of honor at a gala reception and exhibition opening include,
Mayor
Daley, Ferdinando Salleo, the Italian ambassador to the U.S., Enrico
Granara, the consul general of Italy in Chicago, and Gene Farina, NIAF
regional vice president. Prominent dignitaries from Chicago's
Italian arts
and media community will also attend the event. The cocktail
reception
will begin at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Richard J. Daley Civic Center,
50
West Washington St.
The exhibition will open to the public at noon on May 15th and will
feature
a lecture by renowned historian, Professor Gregory Alegi, entitled
"Francesco De Pinedo: an Italian Lindbergh?" The exhibition
is located at
the Istituto Italiano di Cultura; 500 N. Michigan Avenue, suite #1450
and is
open between the hours of 9am- 1pm and 2pm- 5pm. The exhibition
runs
through June 15, 2002. For information on the exhibits, contact
Francesca
Valente at (312) 832-4052.
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit,
non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of
Italian
Americans. The Foundation has a wide-range of programs that provide
scholarships and grants, legislative internships in Congress, conferences
and cultural seminars.
Visit our web site at www.niaf.org <http://www.niaf.org>
-------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106
Molly Dirksen (NIAF)312/357-6810
Elissa Ruffino
Director, Public Relations
1860 19th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 939-3106(direct) or 202/387-0600 (main #)
(202) 387 - 0833 (fax)
mailto:elissa@niaf.org <mailto:elissa@niaf.org>
To help the children of fallen rescue workers, visit: niaf.org/relief
