President Obama Talks With Italian Prime Prime Minister
Mario Monti About Upcoming G-8 Meeting

May 15, 2012 ~ The President spoke by phone today with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. The President thanked the Prime Minister for Italy's many significant contributions to NATO and discussed the continued transition to Afghan-led responsibility for Afghan security, and the sustainment of the Afghan National Security Forces, which will be on the agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago. The President and Prime Minister Monti also discussed the current economic situation in Europe and agreed on the need to intensify efforts to promote growth and job creation. The President looks forward to discussing these topics in further detail with the Prime Minister during the upcoming meeting of G-8 leaders at Camp David this weekend.

Jennifer Palmieri - White House Deputy Communications Director In The Spotlight At John Edwards' Trial

May 14, 2012 ~ Jennifer Palmieri was in the spotlight last week as she testified at the trial of former senator and White House aspirant John Edwards. According to media reports, Palmieri lost her composure as "she tried to humanize Edwards."

Palmieri served as Edwards' press secretary in his 2004 presidential campaign and was an informal advisor in his 2008 failed White House bid. Read more...>>

IItalian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero Formally Welcomed
to Washington by Italian American Congressional Delegation

April 28, 2012 ~~ A Congressional reception formally welcoming Claudio Bisogniero, the new Italian Ambassador to the United States was held at the U.S. Capitol on April 26, 2012. The event was hosted by the National Italian American Foundation under the auspices of the Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum and the Italian American Congressional Delegation (IACD).

Congressman Bill Pascrell, co-chair of the IACD, welcomed Bisogniero and the guests at the Rayburn Building. "We are all very proud of you, Ambassador Bisogniero, and it feels as if you have been here with us for years, may Italy and America be friends forever," he said.. Read more . . .>>

Sebastian Rotella, Winner of the 2012 Urbino Press Award
"In my house the American dream is not a cliché"

April 25, 2012 ~ Sebastian Rotella, a Senior Reporter with ProPublica, an author, and a former reporter with the Los Angeles Times, is the winner of the Seventh Urbino Press Award. Rotella's father, Salvatore Giuseppe Rotella, emigrated to the United States from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Sicily in 1950.

The announcement was made this evening by Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero at a reception held at the Italian Embassy. In announcing the winner, Amb. Bisogniero noted that we must consider where we are today in the information age, and the new trend of online reporting that is unfiltered but at times raises questions of reliability. Against this backdrop, said Bisogniero, the Urbino Press Award "recognizes excellence in journalism, awarded to American journalists whose daily engagement and commitment is to properly inform millions of people." It was important to assign this year's prize to an "investigative journalist committed to uncovering the facts and tracking relevant studies independently," said Bisogniero. Read more..>>

Giulio Terzi on CNN: Italy is "going fast in the right direction"

April 16, 2012 ~ Italy's Foreign Minister, Giulio Terzi, who was in Washington last week to participate in the G-8 meeting of ministers, joined CNN's Wolf Blitzer to discuss Syria, Iran, Italy's economy and more. Terzi was optimistic on developments in Syria but stressed that there would be no use of force by Italy unless approved by a U.N. Council resolution. Terzi noted that Iran has "credibilty problem," and that Italy has severed all commercial ties with Iran, including no purchase of Itanian oil,. Terzi also talked about the issue of maretime secuity noting that we now have an "appalling situation that the international community must tackle." Italy is currenttly in a dispute with India after two Italian marines were detained for shooting two Indian fisherman they believed to be pirates. Terzi noted that currentl;y 197 sailors are detained by pirates. On Italy's econopmy, Terzi was very positive stating that things are "looking much better than when Mr. Monti came into power. "italy is going fast in the right direction," said Terzi.

Italy's Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata
in Washington for G8 Ministerial Meeting

April 10, 2012 ~ Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, Italy's Foreign Minister and the former Ambassador to Washington, arrived today in our Nation's Capital to attend the G8 foreign ministers meeting scheduled for later this week. One of the hot issues to be discussed by the group is the Arab Spring movement and the situation in Syria. In a policy statement published in the Huffington Post, entitled "Let's Not Wait until Fall," Terzi wrote that it was "Europe's primary responsibility not to let the Arab Spring slip into a chilly winter." In particular, recalling the Romans' "Mare Nostrum," he said that it was in "Europe's interest to help prosperity so as to unite the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea." Read the article

Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi
Permanent Observer of Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, Celebrates Easter Mass in Washington, DC

Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi, currently the Permanent Observer of Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, celebrated the Easter Mass in the Nation's Capital at the Italian parish, Holy Rosary Church. Among the many who attended the Mass were the Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and his wife.

Dan Tangherlini New Head of GSA

April 3, 2012 ~ An Italian American, Daniel "Dan" Tangherlini, a former top aide to Mayor Adrian Fenty has been tapped by the White House to head the General Services Admnistration following the resignation of its administrator over "excessive spending." Since July 2009, Tangherlini has served as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Management, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Performance Officer at the U.S. Department of Treasury under Secretary Timothy F. Geithner. Read more...

Amato Berardi, Elected Representative of Italians Living in North and Central America has the Highest Income
After Silvio Berlusconi

March 29, 2012 The income of Italian elected officials has recently been released to the Italian public. It was no surprise that former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, now a member of the Italy's Chamber of Deputies, had the highest income, namely that of 48,180, 792 euros. The surprise to the Italian media, however, was that the second highest income was declared by Amato Berardi, also a member of the Italian's Chamber of Deputies, who is the elected representatives of Italian in North and Central america. His income was 3,092,105 euros or about $ 4,070,000, depending on the day's exchange rate.

Claudio Bisogniero ‏ @CBisogniero ·
"Welcome, benvenuti to all to my new #Twitter channel. Check out my welcome video here"

March 27, 2012 ~ The new Italian Ambassador to Washington, Claudio Bisogniero is fully embracing the social media. On Monday Bisogniero launched his Tweet channell via a clever YouTube video (see below)."Like the Internet, social media play a very important role in International relations and public diplomacy today," says Claudio Bisogniero "and have become an instrument of choice for engaging in an increasingly open and compelling dialogue with the U.S. public and anyone interested in knowing Italy better." With the launch of @CBisogniero, the Italian Embassy's presence on the web has expanded beyond its official web site to YouTube, Flickr, and the Italy4Kids portal for the youngest generation. The former Italian Ambassador to Washington and now Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi, also launched his own channel when he retuned to Rome, @Giulio Terzi. Who needs WikiLeaks!

State of Maryland Signs Memorandum of Understanding
With Italian Regions to Promote Italian Language

March 14, 2012 ~ At a ceremony held at the Italian Embassy in Washington, yesterday on March 20, Maryland State educational institutions signed three Memoranda of Understanding with Italian Regions Lombardia and Veneto and Italian Embassy and Italian Consulate in Philadelphia, to promote among other objectives ,the teaching of Italian in Maryland public schools and cultural exchanges. In his opening remarks, Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero said that "the cooperation between Italy and the State of .Maryand in this area has never been this stronger."

The Bates Middle School Choir of Annapolis, Ann Aroundel County, peformed several selections including the Italian and American National Anthems. (Pictured above: Bernard Sadusky, Maryland's state superintendent of schools, Italian Minister Cristiano Maggipinto, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, Luigi Scotto). -- Read more

U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Recognizing
150th Anniversary of Italian Unification

Sons of Italy Applauds Sen. John Kerry for his Support

March 14, 2012 ~ The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the nation's largest and oldest organization representing Americans of Italian heritage, has sent formal congratulations to U.S. Senator John Kerry (D - MA) for sponsoring a Senate Resolution [S.Res.394] that passed March 12, recognizing the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

OSIA also thanked Sen. Kerry for his responsiveness when OSIA National Executive Director/CEO Dr. Philip R. Piccigallo discussed the matter with him during an Italian Embassy reception for Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Feb. 9. At that time, Sen. Kerry assured Piccigallo that he would get the resolution passed by the deadline of March 16, which marks the end of the year-long Italian anniversary celebrations. Following the Senator's directions, Piccigallo worked directly on this matter with Kerry's chief of staff, David Wade.

Italian American organizations, including the Constantine Brumidi Society, led by Joseph N. Grano, Esq. and the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, had worked for more than two years, urging Congress to recognize this important milestone in Italian history. "OSIA is deeply gratified that our personal intercession with Senator Kerry proved to be the final push to get this Resolution passed in time. Knowing of the Senator's longtime admiration and support of Italy, we never had any doubts," said Piccigallo.

Gianfranco Fini in Washington

March 5, 2012 ~ Gianfranco Fini, the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies was on Capitol Hill today where he met the Speaker of the House and the leadership of the Italian American Congressional Caucus. Earlier in the day, he also met with Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, Fini attended The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference yesterday where he had a chance to speak with President Obama. He was expected to fly back to Italy tonight following a AIPAC dinner with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. READ MORE . .

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A New Movie "The Salt of LIfe" by Gianni Di Gregorio

February 29, 2012 ~ Sooner or later, we all get there. Some will feel it sooner than others.  Middle age can be traumatic. It can seem that suddenly you are invisible -- that younger people no longer see you or have any interest in anything about you.  "The Salt of Life," a new comedy by Italian director Gianni Di Gregorio is based on this inevitable phase of life.  The movie is a follow-up to Di Gregorio's 2010 film "Mid-August Lunch."

As a newly retired man living in Rome, Gianni, who plays the lead role, is sandwiched between an aristocratic mother who, with the help of a beautiful Eastern European caregiver, spends his inheritance on bottles of expensive champagne, and a wife who is more interested in Gianni's pension check than having a marital relationship.  And then there is Gianni's punk daughter, whose boyfriend hangs around his house, becomes a sort of confidante, and at times feels Gianni's pain.

 Mid-way through the movie, you expect Gianni to break away from his dull routine, from the monotony of his life.  Gianni's friends are having affairs with younger women.  The opportunities are there for Gianni, too:  his mother's caregiver, as well as a former girlfriend, and a wild young neighbor with an active party life.  Gianni is tempted and considers an affair. But we won't spoil the movie's ending -- you'll have to watch it to find out. Adults of a certain age will enjoy this movie not because it's about sex, but because it's about life.

The movie by Zeitgeist Films is in Italian with English subtitles. It premiers March 2, 2012 in New York. (By Francesco Isgro) WATCH TRAILER

Constantino Brumidi Day Celebrated in Washington D.C.

February 22, 2012 ~ Constantino Brumidi, the artist of our Nation's Capitol, and an Italian immigrant, who, like many others who followed him, fell in love with America, was remembered in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, February 19, 2012. D.C. Mayor, Vincent Gray proclaimed that day, the Constantino Brumidi Day. A memorial mass was held at Holy Rosary Church, followed by a ceremony at the Glenwood Cemetery where Brumidi is buried. Joe Grano, the Chair of the Constantino Brumidi, who organized the events, and other local Italian American organizations, including representatives of the Italian Embassy, laid floral wreaths and paid homage to a man who in 2008 was awarded posthumously, the Congressional Gold Medal. That medal has been cast, but no date has yet been announced for a ceremony to offically present the medal.

On the occasion of the Constantino Brumidi Day, Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, said "Brumidi incarna ciò che nel 1961 l'allora Presidente degli Stati Uniti John Fitzgerald Kennedy definì 'l'esperienza italiana', catturando magistralmente l'essenza dei forti legami che uniscono Italia e Stati Uniti I legami e l'amicizia tra i nostri due paesi e popoli sono conservati nei meravigliosi affreschi del Campidoglio, così come nelle vite dei milioni di italo-americani negli Stati Uniti." Read more....>>

(Pictured above, Joe Grano at Brumidi's grave site)

Vatican Intrigues

February 20, 2012 ~ "In January, an Italian television program unveiled letters from an archbishop to the 84-year-old Pope Benedict XVI alleging Vatican corruption. That was followed by an internal memo casting doubt on the Vatican's commitment to cracking down on alleged money laundering by clients of the Vatican bank. Then came the most surreal leak: A memo delivered by a cardinal to the Vatican's No. 2 official speculating about a plot to kill the pontiff." Read story in WSJ...>>

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti Charms Washington

President Obamba: "I think that the relationship between Italy and the United States has never been stronger."

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti, charmed Washington today with appearances on Capitol Hill, an economic speech at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a bilateral meeting with President Obama at the White House, and a press conference at the Italian Embassy. The following are the remarks by the two leaders as released by the White House:

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, hello, everybody. Benvenuto. I want to welcome Prime Minister Monti to the White House for his first visit. I had the opportunity to congratulate him after he took on the extraordinary responsibilities that he has accepted.

I want to begin by saying that it's nice to be able to return the hospitality of the Italian people. Every time I've been to Rome and L'Aquila, the warmth that has been extended not just to me but to my family has been extraordinary. And obviously we have a deep and special connection with the Italian people. The Italian-American community here in the United States has had as much of an impact as any group within our country. I personally cannot claim Italian ancestry -- although my name ends in a vowel -- (laughter) -- so sometimes I try to pretend. Read more . . .>>

New Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero's Message to Italians and Italian Americans

Cari Connazionali,

nel momento in cui assumo la guida dell'Ambasciata d'Italia negli Stati Uniti e come primo atto della missione che oggi intraprendo, desidero rivolgere a tutti Voi, ai rappresentanti eletti negli Stati Uniti, alla comunità di origine italiana, a quanti si riconoscono idealmente e culturalmente nell’Italia, il mio saluto, unito a sentimenti di grande ammirazione per il contributo straordinario che la nostra comunità ha dato e continua a dare per consolidare lo storico rapporto di amicizia tra Italia e Stati Uniti e fra i nostri due popoli. Read more . . .>> (Feb. 7, 2012)

General Peter W. Chiarelli Retires From The Army

January 31, 2012 - General Peter W. Chiarelli, the U.S. Army vice chief of staff, and the Army second-highest-ranking general in the Pentagon, is retiring today after a long and distinguished career. He told the Washington Post earlier this week that "I have my mom on the West Coast who turns 90 on February 15th. I have a family responsibility after 40 years of service to be with her." Chiarelli gained some distracting notoriety, when, while attending a White House dinner former White House advisor, Valerie Jarrett asked him for a glass of wine, thinking apparently, that he was a waiter. It could happen to "anyone," he later said to the press. Read more . . .>>

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti
Guest of Barack Obama at White House on Feb. 9th

January 23, 2012 - The White House press office announced today that President Obama will host Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy at the White House on Thursday, February 9th. Italy and the United States are close NATO allies, and coordinate continuously on a full range of regional and global priorities. The two leaders will discuss the comprehensive steps the Italian government is taking to restore market confidence and reinvigorate growth through structural reforms, as well as the prospect of an expansion of Europe's financial firewall. Italy is also a founding member of NATO and the President appreciates Italy's important contributions to international security, within Europe and beyond, including its continuing leadership in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. President Obama looks forward to consulting with Prime Minister Monti about preparations for the 2012 G8 and NATO Summits that the United States will host in Chicago, as well as discussing developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Rising Star Gina Sicilia, Italian American Blues Singer
Needs Your Support

Giuseppe Manzo, Italy's Press Attache in Washington
Returns to Rome to Head the Foreign Affairs' Press Office

January 20, 2011. Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today that Giuseppe Manzo, press attache at the Italian Embassy in Washington, has been appointed head of the Ministry's press office, as well as spokesman for Minister Giulio Terzi di San'Agata. Manzo, 44, is a career diplomat who has served twice in Washington, first in 1998-2002, and again starting in 2009. From 2005-2009, Manzo was press attache at Italy's mission to the U.N. in New York, where Terzi was the permanent representative. When Terzi became Italy's Ambassador to Washington, Manzo joined him as press attache in the nation's capital. During Manzo's tenure the press office increased its outreach to the Italian and U.S. media and to the Italian American community at large.

"We abandoned the ship"

Five People Dead In Costa Crusise Concordia Crash
Off Coast of Tuscany (toll rises to 12 as of Jan 21)

January 15, 2012 - The United States Embassy in Rome sends its condolences to the families of those passengers of the Costa Concordia cruise ship who died in a shipwreck off the coast of Tuscany early this morning.  

The welfare of American citizens in Italy is the highest priority of the U.S. Embassy in Rome, and the U.S. Embassy in Rome and the U.S. Consulate in Florence are working with local officials and the families of the passengers to provide assistance to Americans affected by the accident.

The U.S. Embassy has established an emergency response team.  Concerned Americans may call +39 06 4674 1 for emergency information.Based on information provided by local authorities, the US Embassy has revised the number of Americans estimated on board to 120. As of 5:00 pm local time, there are no reports of serious injuries to American citizens, though we cannot yet account for all Americans believed to have been present on the ship at the time of the accident. (Photo by  (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE)

Italian American Community Awaits Arrival of Claudio Bisogniero, Italy's New Ambassador To The United States

January 11, 2012 - The Italian American community is awaiting the arrival of the new Italian Ambassador to the United States, Claudio Bisogniero, who will succeed Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, now serving as Italy's foreign minister. He is expected to present his credentials to the White House this month and officially be in Washington in early February. 

Bisogniero last served in Washington in 1992 as the First Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs. A career diplomat, Bisogniero has been serving as the NATO Deputy Secretary General since 2002, one of the highest diplomatic posts held by Italy. He has been referred to by the Italian press as one of the most brilliant Italian diplomats of the current generation.

Bisogniero was born in Rome, on July 2 1954. After graduating with a Degree in Political Science from the University of Rome (1976), he completed his military service as an Officer in the Italian Army in 1976-77. He entered the Italian Foreign Service in May 1978. Read more . . .>>

Italian American Presidential Candidate
Rick Santorum Is All About "Faith, Family, and Freedom"

Much will be written in the days to come about presidential candidate and former Senator Rick Santorum. For the moment, we'll just say that he is unquestionably an Italian American with a narrative that many immigrants will find appealing.

In his "victory speech in Iowa, Santorum said that he started his presidential journey " when I stood on the steps of the county courthouse in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. I decided to go there, not the typical place someone announces for president — it's not where I was born, it's not where I ever lived — but it's where my grandfather came back in 1925. He came by himself, even though he was married with two children, one of them being my father. He came after having fought in World War I, because Mussolini had been in power now three years, and he had figured out that fascism was something that would crush his spirit and his freedom and give his children something less than he wanted for them. So he made a sacrifice. He left to the coal fields of southwestern Pennsylvania. He worked in the mine at a company town, got paid with coupons, he used to call them, lived in a shack.

Eventually, he figured out that that was a trip to nowhere, so he started taking less — taking money less so he could start to save, and he did. And after five years, he got his citizenship and brought my father over at the age of 7. He ended up continuing to work in those mines until he was 72 years old, digging coal. I'll never forget the first time I saw someone who had died. It was my grandfather. And I knelt next to his coffin. And all I could do — eye level — was look at his hands. They were enormous hands. And all I could think was those hands dug freedom for me." Read more...

Tenor Micheal Castaldo
Winner Classical-Crossover Indie Award 2011

January 2, 2012 -The Classical-Crossover, a United Kingdom musical website, has selected Michael Castaldo as the 2011 winner for the Indie Award category.

In announcing the award, the Editor wrote:: Michéal Castaldo has released two albums in 2011; Olive You and Extravergine. He is the epitome of an indie artist - he works incredibly hard by touring, producing his own albums, writing his own material and arranging and translating any songs he does cover. Most importantly his music sounds unique and distinctive. In receiving the award, Castaldo said: This is very exciting! wow! i'm honored and share this indie award with my family, friends and fans who supported me over the years." The Olive You CD will be officially available on Amazon.com on Jan 31, 2012.

Happy New Year!
May Your World be Filled With Joy

End of the Year Greetings from Ministro Plenipotenziario
Gian Lorenzo Cornado Incaricato d'Affari, a.i.
at the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC

Cari Connazionali,
desidero formulare a tutti e a ciascuno di voi e ai vostri cari gli auguri di un sereno Natale e di un felice e prospero 2012. 

E' un messaggio augurale destinato a tutta l'Italia che vive, lavora e studia negli Stati Uniti, agli italiani d'America, ai Consiglieri CGIE, ai Presidenti ed ai Consiglieri dei COMITES, e ai parlamentari italiani eletti in America del Nord.  I miei auguri vanno anche a tutti gli americani, che—come sappiamo—conoscono il nostro Paese, apprezzano la nostra cultura e condividono quei valori che l'Italia rappresenta nel mondo e che ci legano agli Stati Uniti d'America. Read more . . .>>

David Thorne, U.S. Amb. to Italy
Salutes Napoli and the Kindgdom of the Two Sicilies

December 14, 2011 - David Thorne rivolge un saluto a Napoli in occasione dell'anniversario dell'apertura del consolato statunitense a Napoli. Quella napoletana è la rappresentanza diplomatica più antica d'Italia, fu fondata infatti il 16 dicembre del 1796. Watch video message

Amb. Sebastiano Fulci, New Permanent Observer of Italy
To The OAS Presents Credentials

December 14, 2011 - Ambassador Sebastiano Fulci presented yesterday to the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, his credentials as the new Permanent Observer of Italy to the Hemispheric Organization. In a ceremony held at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC, the Italian diplomat said that the Americas is the "continent of the future", as shown by "the political presence and economic impulse that the region has experimented in the last few years". He also highlighted the strength of "the relations that unite us with the counties and people of the Hemisphere." (pictured Amb. Sebation Fulci, Permanent Observer of Italy to the OAS, José Miguel Insulza, OAS Secretary Genera - l Photo credit:Patricia Leiva/OAS) Read more....>>

Singer-Songwriter Kristin Cifelli

December 13, 2011 - In her third album, "Middle of Nowhere," singer-songwriter Kristin Cifelli expands on her repertoire of powerful yet subtle, lyric-driven songs, influenced by folk, pop and country music.

With her "unforgettable voice, at times soothing and at times full of intense energy," as one reviewer describes it, Cifelli has become a popular presence in East coast venues. This latest recording is set to expand her fan base nationwide. Read more. . .>>>

Three Italian Americans Honored at Italian Embassy

December 10, 2011 - At a reception held at the Italian Embassy on December 9,   Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, on behalf of the President of the Italian Republic, honored three Italian Americans from the Washington, DC area:  Robert Blancato, was bestowed the title of Cavaliere (Knight) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,  Daniel Stabile and Elisabetta Savigni Ullman were conferred the title of Commendatore of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity.  (Pictured L to R Robert Blancato, Elisabetta Savigni Ullman, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, Daniel Stabile).

At Miami Beach's Art Basel
Mask of Silvio Berlusconi Is On The Floor

December 3, 2011 - A sculpture of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi by artist Kendell Geers, is shown during the Vernissage Art Basel Miami Beach, in Miami Beach, Fla. (Photo by Lynne Sladky)

Italy and the World Economy, 1861-2011

December 3, 2011 "Italy and the World Economy," a conference held on December 2, at the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC, considered a reseach project undertaken by the Bank of Italy on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Italy's unification. The conference was inaugurated by Incaricato d'Affari, a.i. Gian Lorenzo Cornado, and chaired by Marco Magnani, Head of the Structural Economic Analysis Department of the Bank of Italy, Professor Gianni Toniolo (Duke University, LUISS and scholarly advisor to the Bank of Italy) presented a summary of the research project. Among the speakers were Richard Sylla (New York University), John A. Davis (University of Connecticut), Luca Anderlini (Georgetown University), and Vito Tanzi (former director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department).

(Pictured above Gianni Toniolo, courtesy Italian Embassy)

Luigini Francesco Paulucci Dies at 93

November 26, 2011 ~ Entrepreneur Jeno Paulucci, who helped co-found and for many years lead the National Italian American Foundation in 1975, passed away on Thanksgiving Day. He was 93. Paulucci was born in Aurora, Minnesota, to Michelina and Ettore Paulucci, immigrants from Bellisio Solfara, a small town in the Marche Region of Italy. Paulucci started over seventy companies during his long career. His most well-known ventures included his frozen food company, Michelina's Inc., named after his mother, and food products such as Jeno's Pizza Rolls and the Chun King line of Chinese food. Paulucci is survived by son Michael Paulucci of Palm Coast, daughters Cynthia Selton of Longwood and Gina Paulucci of Wayzata, Minn., four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren

Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata Named to Head Ministry of Foreign Affairs under New Italian Government

November 16, 2011 ~ With incredible speed, uncharacteristic of Italian politics, and under the leadership of President Giorgio Napolitano, the new Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has announced his proposed cabinet. We were delighted to see that the current Ambassador to the United States, Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, has been appointed as the new Minister of Foreign Afffairs. At the same time, Rome's gain will be Washington's loss. During his time in Washington, Terzi has done much for the Italian American community. He was a constant presence at community events and led Italian American organizations to have the College Board reinstitute the AP Italian Language and Culture Program. That Monti has chosen Terzi, a highly-respected diplomat in Washington circles, is a reflection of the type of new Italian government being assembled to address the financial challenges facing Italy, challenges that could tarnish the nation's global brand.

The Day After - What's Next for Italy?

‎November 13, 2011 ~ "It has barely grown for a decade. It is trapped in an uncompetitive exchange rate and suffers from uncompetitive interest rates. It is dogged by dysfunctional politics, while being forced to embark on an austerity drive with no euro-zone growth strategy to compensate. And it remains at the mercy of a euro-zone government framework that at every turn has proven inadequate to the magnitude of the crisis it faces." (Wall Street Journal)

All the best to Mario Monti and Italy!

"We can do better"

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