[RAA Prefacing Remarks: I will be looking forward soon to a Statement of Objectives from the I-A Delegation, that will state the it's Agenda and Priorities in furtherance of the interests of the Italian American Community.
For the delegation to merely enjoy each others camaraderie is NOT enough !!!!
Obviously the delegation needs to hear the concerns from COMIAO, NIAF,
OSIA, UNICO, and IAOV, etc that reflect the anxiety, and disquietude of
those Italian Americans who take a sincere interest in the future of their
culture, and are not merely content to enjoy it !!!!]
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28 ITALIAN AMERICANS SERVE IN THE 108th U.S. CONGRESS
(WASHINGTON, D.C. -- January 7, 2003) Six United States Senators and 22 U.S. Representatives of Italian ancestry will serve in the 108th United States Congress bringing to 28 the total number of Members that comprise the Italian American Congressional Delegation, reports the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). Reps. James L. Oberstar ( D-MN) and John L. Mica ( R-FL) will serve as the new Co- Deans of the Delegation, replacing retiring Congressman John J. LaFalce (D-NY).
“The 108th Italian American Congressional Delegation is positioned to be especially influential since we have powerful Members in both parties,“ said Frank J. Guarini, NIAF chairman and a former U.S. congressman from New Jersey. “The NIAF looks forward to working closely with the delegation on our public policy agenda,” added NIAF President Joseph R. Cerrell.
The U.S. Senate members of the Italian American Delegation to the 108th Congress are: Senators Pete V. Domenici (R-NM); John Ensign (R-NV); Michael B. Enzi (R-WY); Mary Landrieu (D-LA); Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) and Richard J. Santorum (R-PA).
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives are: Representatives Robert Brady (D-PA); Michael Capuano (D-MA); Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Rosa DeLauro (D-CT); Mike Doyle (D-PA); Mike Ferguson (R-NJ); Vito J. Fossella (R-NY); Melissa Hart (R-PA; Nicholas V. Lampson (D-TX); Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ); Donald Manzullo (R-IL); John L. Mica (R-FL); James L. Oberstar (D-MN); Frank Pallone (D-NJ); William J. Pascrell (D-NJ); Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Rick Renzi (R-AZ); Tim Ryan (R-OH); Thomas G.Tancredo (R-CO); Mike Thompson (D-CA); Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and David Weldon (R-FL).
Approximately seventy additional
Members of Congress are Associate Members of the Italian American Congressional
Delegation because of the proportion of Italian Americans in their districts
and their interest in the Italian American community.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elissa Ruffino at 202/939-3106
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization
based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of an
estimated 20 million Americans of Italian descent, the nation's fifth largest
ethnic group. Visit our website at: www.niaf.org
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Elissa Ruffino
Director, Communications & Public Relations
The National Italian American Foundation
1860 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
web: www.niaf.org
email: elissa@niaf.org
main: (202) 387-0600
direct: (202) 939-3106
fax: (202) 387-0833
