Ambassador National Italian American Foundation Vol . 27, No.1 n Fall 2015 n www.niaf.org Samuel Alito’s Bold Justice 40th Anniversary Gala Preview! Boxing’s Real Rockys The NIAF 40 Under 40 Hot Murano Glass Pasta Rules 29635_Magazine.indd 1 9/14/15 11:18 AM Ambassador Top performers. Enormous accolades. EY is pleased to recognize National Italian American Foundation. There’s no limit to what we can accomplish when we strive to build a better world together. Visit ey.com. © 2015 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved 1504-1432221_NE. ED None. 29635_Magazine.indd 2 9/14/15 11:18 AM Ambassador The Publication of the National Italian American Foundation n Vol . 27, No.1 www.niaf.org CONTENTS 49 Features 24 Jurist Prudence Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Finds Order in the Court 68 By Douglas Gladstone Proud of his Italian immigrant roots, 30 The NIAF 40 Under 40 Supreme Court Three things they all share: Justice Samuel Alito Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. They’re young; they’ve got tries to do justice Chairman Italian roots; and they’re to their lasting John M. Viola making a difference. President & Chief legacy in America… Operating Officer one Constitutional Don Oldenburg decision at a time. Editor & NIAF Director 37 Murano Glass of Publications Venice’s Endangered Sparkle Cover photograph Danielle DeSimone by Kenneth Rictor Social Media Manager By Frank Van Riper & Assistant Editor Photography — Elissa Ruffino www.kennethrictor.com Bottega NIAF Editor 41 The Real Rockys AMBASSADOR Magazine When Italian American is published by the National 24 Italian American Foundation Prizefighters Dominated the Ring (NIAF) By Rolando Vitale 1860 19th Street NW Sections Washington DC 20009 Lettere 4 POSTMASTER: Send change of address to NIAF, 1860 19th Street NW, Top performers. Foundation Focus 9 45 Old and In Lombardia 37 Washington DC 20009. Tracing History through NIAF On Location 13 Enormous accolades. UNESCO World Heritage Sites © 2015 The National Italian Bottega NIAF 14 By Michelle Fabio American Foundation (NIAF). EY is pleased to recognize National No portion of this magazine Paesani 16 may be reproduced without Italian American Foundation. written permission from NIAF. There’s no limit to what we can Ciao Italia 21 49 Where Wine Reigns Single issue price: $5.00 accomplish when we strive to ISSN 1000-9999 Between The Pages 54 Southern Italy’s Viniculture is build a better world together. No Longer Nowhere NIAF 1860 19th Street NW Cinema 60 By Dick Rosano Visit ey.com. Washington, DC 20009 On Sports 65 Tel. 202-387-0600 www.niaf.org Pensieri Presidenziali 67 NIAF Special: 40 Years In The Making Design: Barbieri & Green, Inc. 68 Printing: Mosaic NIAF Insider 76 We’ve Got a Lot to Be Proud Of! Crossword 88 © 2015 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved 1504-1432221_NE. ED None. 29635_Magazine.indd 1 9/14/15 11:18 AM NIAF Board Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. THE PAGES Vice Chairs Gabriel A. Battista THE CHAIRMAN THE CHAIRMAN Hon. Louis J. Freeh From The Hon. Patricia de Stacy Harrison FROM Salvatore M. Salibello BETWEEN FROM NIAF Chairman President and Chief Operating Officer John M. Viola Executive Vice Presidents Kenneth J. Aspromonte With NIAF’s “Gala Season” already in to be proud of, the 40th Anniversary gives us John F. Calvelli full tilt, I want to get straight to the point. an opportunity to reflect on our mission and Hon. Marie L. Garibaldi This year, as you probably know, the Foun- goals, and how they have evolved. Treasurer dation celebrates its 40th Anniversary—four Forty years ago, NIAF was founded Robert E. Carlucci remarkable decades of fulfilling our import- to provide a voice for Italian Americans Secretary ant mission to preserve the Italian American in the Nation’s Capital, to defend Italian Hon. Capri S. Cafaro heritage and culture, and to promote and Americans from bias and discrimination, General Counsel inspire a positive image and legacy of Italian and to protect the Italian American image. Arthur J. Furia Americans. While our advocacy role in Washington, Historian For that, and for many other reasons, I D.C., has never been more powerful, and has Hon. Dominic R. Massaro promise you, this year’s Anniversary Gala, expanded in building of commercial, cultural Ex-officio October 16-18, will be unlike any NIAF Gala and strategic relationships between the Unit- Founding Chairman before it. This will be an unforgettable cele- ed States and Italy, NIAF is much less involved Jeno F. Paulucci bration where you and your family can proud- with discrimination and stereotyping issues Chairmen Emeriti Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli ly, with thousands of new and old friends, today. That’s not because there aren’t any, but Jerry Colangelo celebrate together your Italian heritage. because there’s less of a need. You see, Italian Hon. Frank J. Guarini NIAF has moved the celebration to a Americans, in general, through their hard Frank D. Stella new and outstanding venue at the Wash- work, determination, and education, over Board Emeriti Matthew J. ington Marriott Wardman Park hotel, in generations, have climbed up from the lower DiDomenico, Sr. downtown Washington, D.C. Not only does economic strata, and from the hardships our Mario J. Gabelli Richard A. Grasso the hotel offer our Gala guests many more immigrant forefathers endured, to become Salvatore J. Zizza services than in past years, its classy ballroom respected leaders in professions and commu- Board Of Directors and huge exhibition hall are more accom- nities throughout the United States. Robert V. Allegrini modating to the Gala’s events. For us to find respect, we had to move Peter J. Arduini Maria Bartiromo Among the weekend’s highlights are beyond being defensive about being dis- Nicholas R. Caiazzo, Esq. a better-than-ever Friday night show, “Joe respected, and move forward to making a Jeffrey M. Capaccio JOIN NIAF TODAY! Linda R. Carlozzi, Esq. Piscopo and Friends Celebrate Frank Sina- positive difference. So, instead of battling Paolo Catalfamo Give e Gi Of Membership! tra’s 100th Birthday,” featuring Il Volo and defamation, today NIAF has evolved into Arthur Certosimo Joseph M. Della Ratta NIAF oers several levels of support other special guests crooning tunes from the being a thought leader on matters important Joseph DePinto Sinatra Songbook! Expo Italiana, on Satur- to Italian Americans and to all ethnic groups Daniel M. DiLella to accommodate all contributors. Hon. Mike Ferguson Membership includes a subscription to day, showcasing Italian products, foods and who have an opportunity to learn from the Enrico Gaglioti beverages, plus bocce matches, music and Italian American experience. Dr. Antonio Giordano Ambassador magazine plus other benets. performances, will be Washington’s biggest And, that’s why, in this wonderful 40th Frank Giordano Gerard S. LaRocca Join NIAF today, or help Italian festival. The popular Wine Tasting Anniversary year, I think the Foundation Joseph D. Lonardo, Esq. friends and family join. will again offer some of Italy’s finest. On has a bright and relevant future for Italian Hon. Anita Bevacqua McBride Call 202-387-0600, Saturday evening, the Gala receptions and Americans—and for all Americans. Joanne M. Minieri email [email protected], 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner are the Joseph H. Moglia Francesco Nicotra visit www.niaf.org/membership, centerpiece, followed by the partying at the Julian Rizzuto Dr. John P. Rosa or ll out and send this form. NIAF After Hours Celebration. John F. Scarpa But there’s more to the celebration of George Simeone Louis E. Tosi NIAF’s 40th Anniversary than one extraordi- Joseph V. Del Raso, Charles Turano WWW.NIAF.ORG nary weekend in October. While we have a lot NIAF Chairman Mark Valente III Vincent Viola Michael J. Zarrelli 2 Ambassador 29635_Magazine.indd 2 9/14/15 11:18 AM Celebrating Our Heritage Building Our Future JOIN NIAF TODAY! I would like to join NIAF $25 Student (under age 24) $250 Patron $2,500 e Italian Give e Gi Of Membership! $50 Associate $500 Council American Leadership NIAF oers several levels of support $125 Sustaining $1,000 BusinessCouncil Council to accommodate all contributors. Membership includes a subscription to ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Name Spouse’s Name Ambassador magazine plus other benets. ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Address Join NIAF today, or help ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ friends and family join. City State Zip ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Call 202-387-0600, Email Home Phone Business Phone email [email protected], Mastercard Visa American Express visit www.niaf.org/membership, ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ or ll out and send this form. Credit Card Number Expiration Date ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Name (as it appears on card) ________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Signature Make checks payable to “e NIAF” and mail to e National Italian American Foundation 1860 19th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20009-5501 202-387-0600 29635_Magazine.indd 3 9/14/15 11:18 AM Reader Feedback Mario Cuomo’s Legacy I have just completed reading Ambassador National Italian American Foundation your article “Mario Cuomo’s Legacy” Vol . 26, No.3 n Spring 2015 n www.niaf.org (Spring 2015 issue). I empathized with LETTERE your article concerning your disap- What Drives pointment with Mr. Cuomo’s decision not to run for the president of the Rocco? United States. I sense that his refusal More On Milano Concerning the story “15 Reasons was because he understood that by to Visit Lombardia in 2015” (Spring running some part of his life would be 2015 issue), I lived in Milano in the brought up and reshaped to his oppo- early 1960s. It’s a great place to live. sition’s advantage. Milano is full of historical facts and That realization was a risk he did Gelato Genius at Work places that the story missed.