This year's Gala Awards Dinner brought many distinguished businessmen, celebrities, and governmentofficials to the Washington Hilton for the annual event. CNBC Anchor Maria Bartiromo served as theMistress of Ceremonies for the awards presentation, which honored prominent Italian Americans, includingtelevision star Matt LeBlanc of “Friends.” Other honorees included Massimo Ferragamo, Vice Chair &President, Ferragamo USA, Inc.; Patricia F, Russo, Executive Vice President, Lucent Technologies;Frederic Salerno, Senior Executive Vice President & CFO, Bell Atlantic; Frank D. Stella, Chairman & CEO,F. D. Stella Products Company; Jack Valenti, Chairman & CEO, Motion Picture Association; and RonaldZarrella, President North American Operations, General Motors. The gala has been attended by everyPresident of the United States for the past 23 years, and this year was no exception. President BillClinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton topped the star-studded guest list, making it their sixthyear attending the gala. Other prominent guests included actress Joan Collins, actors David Caruso andFabio, along with singers Vic Damone, Jerry Vitale, and Italy’s Zucchero and Renzo Arbore. The highlightof the evening came when the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation presented the 1999 $100,000 FrankAnnunzio Award to Charles Hard Townes, the inventor of the laser. Proceeds from the event will benefitthe NIAF's Scholarship and Education Programs.

Chair: Congressman Rick Lazio of New York