Sons of Italy to Honor U.S. Sec'y of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the first woman to receive the Sons of Italy Foundation's (SIF) Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service, to be presented at the SIF's 24th annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala on May 23, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

The award was established three years ago to recognize the extraordinary public and humanitarian service to America by people who are not of Italian heritage. Clinton follows previous honorees Vice President Joe Biden (2009), President Bill Clinton (2010), and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (2011).

"We are deeply honored and pleased that Secretary Clinton has agreed to accept this award, which recognizes her long record of outstanding service to her fellow Americans and people of other nations," says SIF CEO Philip R. Piccigallo

The SIF and its parent organization, the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) created this special award category to underscore OSIA's efforts to improve human conditions globally, building upon the SIF's long record of relief efforts in Italy, Europe, South America, Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean and Asia. To date, the SIF and OSIA have donated $119 million to these efforts.

"Hillary Rodham Clinton's tireless advocacy on behalf of women and girls both here and abroad as first lady; U.S. senator; and now, secretary of state, makes her richly deserving of such recognition," Piccigallo says. Since Secretary Clinton will be traveling during the Gala, she will accept the award via video.  Other honorees at the 2012 NELA Gala will include:

• Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace (ret.)
• Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers International Union of North America Armand Sabatoni, and
• CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company Claudio Bozzo

Also to be honored at this year's gala will be 10 to 12 of the brightest and most talented scholars of Italian descent, chosen from a highly selective national competition, who will accept  substantial awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 that will enable them to attend some of America's top colleges and universities.

The NELA Gala is the hallmark of the SIF's public affairs and fund-raising programs and highlights the foundation's commitment to educational excellence, leadership and the betterment of society.  

The Sons of Italy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the oldest and largest organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States, founded with the purpose of preserving Italian American culture, encouraging educational excellence among Italian Americans and improving lives in other areas.

SOURCE Sons of Italy Foundation