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Gala
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48th
ANNUAL
Dinner Dance & Awards Ceremony
of the
American Society Of The Italian Legions Of Merit
Under the high patronage of
H.E. Giorgio Napolitano
President of the Republic of Italy
The Pierre Hotel
The Grand Ballroom
New York City
Thursday, the twentieth of February
Two-thousand fourteen
Il Messaggio della Presidente
della Repubblica Italiana,
S.E. Giorgio Napolitano
ROMA, 20 FEBBRAIO 2014
CAVALIERE DI GRAN CROCE
DR. LUCIO CAPUTO
PRESIDENTE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF THE ITALIAN LEGIONS OF MERIT
NEW YORK
DESIDERO PORGERE IL MIO PIU’ CORDIALE SALUTO ALLA
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF THE ITALIAN LEGIONS OF MERIT
IN OCCASIONE DEL SUO 48MO GALA ANNUALE.
NEL CORSO DEGLI ANNI, L’ASSOCIAZIONE HA DATO PROVA
DI NOTEVOLE CAPACITA’ DI AGGREGAZIONE DI TALENTI
IN GRADO DI DAR VITA AD INIZIATIVE CHE HANNO CONTRIBUITO A RAFFORZARE LA
TRADIZIONALE AMICIZIA TRA LE SOCIETA’ CIVILI AL DI QUA E AL DI LA’ DELL’ATLANTICO.
FORMULO DUNQUE LE MIE PIU’ VIVE CONGRATULAZIONI AI NUOVI DECORATI CHE SI SONO
DISTINTI NEI RISPETTIVI AMBITI D’ATTIVITA’, FACENDO EMERGERE LO SPIRITO D’INIZIATIVA E
LA CREATIVITA’ ITALIANE E RENDENDO ANCOR PIU’ FORTI I LEGAMI E LE SINERGIE TRA ITALIA
E STATI UNITI.
PORGO INFINE IL MIO SALUTO AI PROMOTORI DELL’INIZIATIVA ED AI GENTILI OSPITI,
AUGURANDO OGNI SUCCESSO ALL’ASSOCIAZIONE.
GIORGIO NAPOLITANO
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Translation:
I would like to express my warmest greetings to the American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit on the occasion
of its 48th Annual Gala.
Over the years, the association has proven its ability of notable capacity to aggregate talents who are able to create
initiatives that have helped to strengthen the traditional bonds of friendship between civilian societies on both sides of
the Atlantic.
Therefore, I send my highest congratulations to the newly decorated who are distinguished in their respective fields of
activity, resulting in the emergence of the Italian spirit of initiatives and creativity, and rendering even more strongly
the bonds and the synergy between Italy and the United States.
Finally, I offer my greetings to the promoters of the initiative and the dear guests, wishing every success to the
association.
PROGRAM
7:30 p.m. !
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Reception!
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Garden Foyer
8:00 p.m.!
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National Anthems!
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Toast to the President of the U.S.
Toast to the President of Italy
Grand Ballroom
Toastmaster
Laura Savini
Welcome Remarks
Cav. di Gran Croce, Dr. Lucio Caputo
President of ASILM
Invocation
H.E., The Most Reverend Francis Chullikatt
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN
Dinner
9:00 p.m.!
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9:30 p.m.!
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Awards Ceremony!
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Grand Ballroom
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Dancing!
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Panorama Music
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Grand Ballroom
Menu
Hors d'oeuvres
Mezzacorona, Rotari Flavio, 2005
Valdo, “Oro Puro” Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, DOCG, NV
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Raviolo Aperto, Beets, e Formaggio di Capra
Ravioli di Carciofi, Pecorino e Salsa di Erbe Fresche
Raviolo Aperto, Beets, and Goat Cheese
Artichoke Ravioli, Pecorino and Sauce of Fresh Herbs
Zonin, Masseria di Altemura, Fiano del Salento IGT, 2012
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Ravioli di Baccala’ in Pasta al Nero di Seppia e Aragosta alla Diavola
Ravioli Baccala’ in Squid Ink Pasta, and Lobster alla Diavola
Biondi Santi, Sassoalloro IGT Rosso Toscana, 2009
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Nduja Ravioli, Fresco Burrata e Briciole di Pane Piccanti
Njuda Ravioli, Fresh Burrata and Spicy Bread Crumbs
Castello di Querceto, “Il Sole di Alessandro” IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale, 2008
Lungarotti, Torgiano Rosso Riserva, Rubesco Vigna Monticchio, DOCG 2007
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Gelato al Vin Santo
con Paccheri Siciliani con Cioccolato, Ricotta, Pistacchio, e Arancia Candita
Ravioli Fritti alla Crèma ed al Cioccolato
Vin Santo Gelato
Sicilian Paccheri with Chocolate, Ricotta, Pistachio and Candied Orange
Fried Ravioli with Cream & Fried Ravioli with Chocolate
Abraxas, Passito di Pantelleria DOC, 2008
Consorzio Asti, Asti DOCG, 2013
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Coffee, Tea, Brewed Decaffeinated
Dinner prepared by Nicola Valle, Executive Chef of Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina.
Mineral water courtesy of Ferrarelle
Gala Dinner Wine List
Mezzacorona, Rotari Flavio, 2005 - This wine is produced with Chardonnay grapes that are
selected and harvested by hand and originate from the best vineyards in the hills of Trentino. At
the foot of the Dolomites, where the Chardonnay expresses best its fresh and fruity character,
the Rotari Brut is fragrant, intense and elegant.
Valdo, “Oro Puro” Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, DOCG, NV - Pure and prestigious
feature. Precious and eternal as special instants in life. Rare and unique such as the Prosecco
land, the gold Valdobbiadene.
Zonin, Masseria di Altemura, Fiano del Salento, IGT 2012 - The Fiano del Salento is made
with 100% Fiano grapes. The grapes are harvested when they are very ripe, then they are
delicately crushed and the must is meticulously extracted. The Fiano del Salento displays
pleasant sensations of peaches and apricots, as well as delicately-scented flowers.
Biondi Santi, Sassoalloro IGT Rosso Toscana, 2009 - Sassoalloro wine is made with 100%
Sangiovese Grosso grapes with a refinement of 14 months in barriques of non-toasted Tronçais
oak. The Sassoalloro has ruby red, violet tones of color and a fruity predominance of sweet,
violet perfume.
Castello di Querceto, “Il Sole di Alessandro” IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale, 2008 - Il Sole
di Alessandro is made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with a maturation in oak barrels
for 20 to 24 months. This ruby red wine has an intense, soft and elegant bouquet.
Lungarotti, Torgiano Rosso Riserva, Rubesco Vigna Monticchio, DOCG 2007 - Rubesco wine
is made with 70% Sangiovese and 30% Canaiolo harvested in October with wood aging in oak
barrels for about 12 months. The Rubesco is smooth and velvety with solid structure and
complex slightly balsamic fruitiness; its finish is long with spicy closing notes.
Abraxas, Passito di Pantelleria DOC, 2008 - With ripe notes of dried fruit, apricot and raisins,
this is an intense and beautiful Passito di Pantelleria that ranks among the top wines of its
category. Made with fragrant Zibibbo grapes (Moscatello d’Alessandria), the wine opens with a
luminous amber color and offers a rich, creamy feel.
Consorzio Asti, Asti DOCG, 2013 - An aromatic sparkling dessert wine par excellence, Asti
DOCG stands out with its musky aroma and flavor, along with its balanced fragrance, natural
pleasantness and a moderate alcohol content. Its scent is rich and intense, with an aroma of
acacia flowers, wisteria and orange and mountain honey and a background of spices
reminiscent of elderflower and bergamot.
ASILM is proud to present its Guests of Honor with the
Grand Award of Merit
(in the order of receiving the award):
Since 1999, Dr. Formenti has been the Sandra and Edward H. Meyer Professor and Chairman
of the Department of Radiation Oncology at NYU. She also is the Associate Director for
Clinical Research and the co-leader of the Breast Cancer Research Program of the NYU
Cancer Institute.
A native of Milan, Italy, she graduated from medical school at the Università degli Studi
(summa cum laude), and completed internal medicine and medical oncology training, before
coming to the University of Southern California to work in the laboratory of Dr. Malcolm
Mitchell in cancer immunology. After an ACS fellowship in AIDS and lymphoma she
completed her residency in radiation oncology at USC.
A prolific researcher with over 150 publications, Dr. Formenti has pioneered the use of
concurrent chemo-radiation in locally advanced breast cancer. Her research culminated in
2005 with a Center of Excellence Award from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer
Research Program.
Dr. Silvia Formenti
Chair of the Department of
Radiation Oncology at NYU
Inspired by clinical observations, Dr. Formenti has demonstrated in preclinical models how
ionizing radiation can result in immunogenic cell death, converting the primary tumor into
an individual in vivo vaccine. This novel application for radiotherapy, as a partner with
cancer immunotherapy, was recently awarded a $4.5 million grant from the Department of
Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and an R01 from NIH.
Another area of her research consists of reducing late cardiovascular toxicity of breast cancer radiotherapy with a prone
technique that excludes heart and lung. Recognized by high impact journals like JAMA and NEJM, her research has resulted
in a US patent and in a CME course offered since 2007, with wide international outreach and training.
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Born in Cologna Veneta, Giovanni Rana began working when he was thirteen in the family
bakery and continued there until he was 25, when he started producing tortellini by hand.
Guiding his hands and mind was his awareness of the consumer’s desire to find supermarket
shelves stocked with high-quality food products that are quick to prepare.
After this initial period of making tortellini by hand, Mr. Rana embarked on his first efforts to
industrialize their production in the town of San Giovanni Lupatoto, where the company still
has its headquarters.
In the 1980s, when the fresh pasta sector in Italy was under competitive pressure from major
multinationals, Rana Group remained the recognized leader with one-fifth of the market. The
company’s growth strategy was enhanced with initial investments in advertising, and the
image of the multinationals was countered by spots in which Mr. Rana became the
spokesman.
Cavaliere del Lavoro
Giovanni Rana
President & Founder of the
Rana Group
In the early 1990s, the company launched a series of now-famous advertising campaigns in
which Mr. Rana was a virtual actor appearing together with Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey
Bogart and Rita Hayworth. These spots won numerous awards, and the company’s market
share rose together with the notoriety of Mr. Rana, who is now familiar to 95% of the Italian
population and has also launched his company as an international success.
In 2003, he was named Cavaliere del Lavoro by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the President of the
Italian Republic at that time.
He is currently the President of L’Italia del Gusto, a consortium that comprises major producers of Italian foods. One of the
goals specified in its charter is to promote Italian brand-name food products on international markets.
In June 2013 he received the award of "Lion of Veneto" conferred by the Regional Council of Veneto region.
The Honorable Patricia de Stacy Harrison is the president and chief executive officer of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the leading funder of public radio and public
television programming for the American people. Ms. Harrison has strengthened public
service media through the strategic focus of CPB in three important areas: Digital,
Dialogue, and Diversity.
To formalize this commitment, Ms. Harrison established the first Diversity and Innovation
Fund for public media – radio, television, online and mobile.
In 2011, She created American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen, a nationwide public media
initiative to help communities across the country identify and implement solutions to the
high school dropout crisis. To date, over 75 stations in over 30 states, Washington, D.C. and
Puerto Rico, are working with more than 1000 local partners and schools to encourage
students to stay on track to graduation.
Hon. Patricia de Stacy
Harrison
CEO & President of the
Corporation for Public
Broadcasting
She is also chairman of the Leadership Council of Women and Girls Lead, an innovative
public media initiative designed to focus, educate and connect women, girls and their allies
across the globe to address the challenges of the 21st century. In August 2012, she was
included on the Forbes list of “Women Changing the World in Media” for establishing
Women and Girls Lead and her continued leadership on the project.
Prior to joining CPB in 2005, Ms. Harrison served as Assistant Secretary of State for
Educational and Cultural Affairs and Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and
Public Affairs. She also sits on the boards of the National Italian American Foundation, The
American University in Rome, the Meridian International Center and IREX.
Ms. Harrison received her B.A. from American University, Washington D.C., and an honorary doctorate from the American
University of Rome in 2002.
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One of the most precocious talents in the history of jazz, Mr. Francesco Cafiso took his first
steps when he was nine to begin working with internationally famous musicians.
His encounter with Wynton Marsalis in Pescara at the jazz festival held on July 2002 set into
motion Mr. Cafiso’s career. Marsalis took him along with his septet on his European tour in
2003, during which Francesco performed in prestigious theatres in the largest cities in
Europe.
He won various important prizes: the EuroJazz Award in Lecco, the International Jazz
Festivals Organization Award in New York, the World Saxophone Competition in London,
the Django d’Or in Rome and many others. He was recognized by the Italian Jazz Magazine
as the best new talent of the year.
Mr. Cafiso has performed with world famous musicians: Hank Jones, Dave Brubeck, Cedar
Walton, Mulgrew Miller, Jonathan Batiste, Ronnie Matthews, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley, Ray
Drummond, Reggie Johnson, Doug Sides, Lewis Nash, to name a few.
Mr. Francesco Cafiso
Jazz Musician
Since 2008, he has been Artistic Director of the “Vittoria Jazz Festival” in Vittoria, his native
city.
On January 19, 2009 he played in Washington, D.C. during the celebrations in honor of
President Barack Obama and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In July of 2012, for the Olympics, he was invited to perform in London at the headquarters of the Casa Italia in the presence of
the Italian Ambassador in London and of the leaders of CONI.
In June 2013, at the behest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consul General of Philadelphia, in collaboration with the
American Secretary of State John Kerry, Mr. Cafiso was chosen to represent Italy to play during the celebrations for the Year of
Italian Culture in the United States.
ASILM Grand Medal of Merit 2014
Recipients:
Proclaimed Mayor of Turin on May 30, 2011, Piero Fassino is assiduously engaged in
bringing out the international image of the prominent city that is known for its industry,
finance, culture and education.
Born in Avigliana, Fassino received his degree in Political Science. He launched his political
career and in 1975 was elected Councillor at the City Council of Torino and then Provincial
Councillor in 1980.
In 1987 he was asked to guide the organization of PCI (Italian Communist Party) during the
crucial phase of foundation of PDS (Democratic Left Party), a task continued in 1991 when
he became international Secretary by leading the entry of PDS in the Socialist International.
Elected for the first time at the Chamber of Deputies in 1994, he was then re-elected in 1996,
2001, 2006 and 2008.
Hon. Piero Fassino
Mayor of Turin
In 1996 he started his first experiences in the National Government: State Secretary for
Foreign Affairs during the Prodi Government, Minister of Foreign Trade during the
D’Alema Government and Minister of Justice during the Amato Government. In 2009 he
was appointed European Union Special Envoy for Burma/Myanmar. He currently serves as
President of ANCI, the National Association of Italian Municipalities.
He is a convinced defender of the fact that the strength of a political idea starts from cities;
for this reason in 2001, during a particularly critical period for the coalition between centre and left-wings parties, he became
the leader of “Democratici di Sinistra” (Left Democrats) by reconstructing the “Ulivo” and leading it to victory on the occasion
of all administrative, regional, European and political elections during the five-year period 2002 – 2006 becoming, in 2007, cofounder of the Democratic Party.
!!!!!!!!
Born in Jersey City, NJ, he received his education from Dartmouth College, Columbia
University, and New York University School of Law, and pursued advanced studies at The
Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.
During World War II, Mr. Guarini saw active combat as Lieutenant, USNR in the Pacific
Theater aboard the USS Mount McKinley, flagship for the Pacific Amphibious Fleet. He
received the Naval Commendation Medal and three Battle Stars.
He is admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia
and is active in professional organizations.
Frank J. Guarini represented Hudson County in the State Senate for two terms and served in
the U.S. House of Representatives for seven terms.
He was selected as a delegate to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Convention in London. He was later nominated by President Bill Clinton, with the consent
of the U.S. Senate, to serve as U.S. Representative to the General Assembly of the United
Nations.
Cav. di Gran Croce,
Hon. Frank Joseph Guarini
American Politician
Since retiring from Congress, he has been active in major real estate development projects
along the New Jersey Waterfront.
Mr. Guarini’s extensive involvement in civic affairs includes service on the Boards of
charitable, educational and cultural organizations. Throughout his career in public and
private life, he has always maintained a strong interest in education. He founded Institutes and Centers at Dartmouth College,
NYU School of Law, St. Peter’s College, New Jersey City University and John Cabot University in Rome.
Honorary Committee
Officers and Directors
Amb. Claudio Bisogniero
Cav. di Gran Croce, Dr. Lucio Caputo
Ambassador of Italy to the U.S.
Amb. Sebastiano Cardi
Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN
Min. Plen. Natalia Quintavalle
Consul General of Italy
President
Uff. Hon. Marie L. Garibaldi
Executive Vice President
Cav. di Gran Croce Lawrence E. Auriana
Secretary
Comm. Salvatore M. Salibello
Treasurer
Dinner Committee
Cav. di Gran Croce Lawrence Auriana
Gr. Uff. Amb. Daniele D. Bodini
Cav. Vivian Cardia
Gr. Uff. Hon. Guido Calabresi
Chancellor
Gr. Uff. RoseMarie Gallina-Santangelo
President Emerita and Chief of Protocol
Comm. George M. Pavia, Esq.
Counselor
Dama Barbara Desiderio
Cav. di Gran Croce, Hon. Dominic R. Massaro,
Mr. Frank J. Desiderio, Esq.
Comm. Stefano Acunto
Uff. Hon. Marie L. Garibaldi
Comm. Robert V. Allegrini
Dama Christina Grassi
Gr. Uff. Amb. Daniele D. Bodini
Uff. Marco Grassi
Cav. Vivian Cardia
Cav. di Gran Croce, Hon. Frank Guarini, Esq.
Uff. Marco Grassi
Mr. Lawrence Inserra
Uff. Hon. Eugene Nardelli
Comm. Sirio Maccioni
Uff. Stephen Madsen, Esq.
Cav. Joseph Mattone, Sr.
Honorary Chairman
Cav. Berardo Paradiso
Cav. Joseph R. Perella
Cav. di Gran Croce, B.ssa Mariuccia Zerilli-Marimo’
Dama Mary Ann Mattone
Comm. Robert V. Allegrini
Uff. Hon. Eugene Nardelli
Regional Vice President
Cav. Berardo Paradiso
Dama Loyse Paradiso
Dama Antonia Pavia
Honorary Members
Amb. Claudio Bisogniero, ex officio
Comm. George M. Pavia, Esq.
Amb. Sebastiano Cardi, ex officio
Dama Laura Savini
Min. Plen. Natalia Quintavalle, ex officio
The American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit is a non-profit organization that
serves as the chief reference point in the United States for all links between the chivalric
world of the Italian state and its decorati residents here.
Now in its fifth decade, the Society is comprised of more than six hundred individuals
who, because of some personal quality or the rendering of some special service, have
been decorated by the Republic of Italy. These decorations have been conferred in one of
five Ordini Onorifici: Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Order of Military Merit,
Order of Labor Merit, Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity and Order of Vittorio
Veneto. Awarded by decree of the President of the Republic (who by virtue of office is
“Head” of all Italian Orders of Knighthood), each is internationally recognized as
rooted in the umbilicus of Italian history and as a prerogative of Italian sovereignty.
Founded in 1965 on the basis of strengthening the traditional bonds of friendship
existing between Italy and the United States, the Society is national in scope,
international in spirit, and functions at the highest levels of the chivalric, diplomatic and
beneficent arenas. While providing financial assistance to a wide range of cultural and
humanitarian endeavors, its prestige as a pre-eminent institution, headquartered in
New York’s splendid Columbus Townhouse, ranks the Society as an important
American situs for conveying the shared interests of both nations to a wider audience.
The American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit
wishes to thank all of the people who have contributed
to the success of the 48th Annual Gala,
and in particular:
Ambassador Daniele Bodini, Ferrarelle,
the Rana Group, and the Wine Producers