Puglia Center of America to Host Annual Award Ceremony at Columbus Citizens Foundation, 10/3

The Puglia Center of America is proud to announce the "Puglia's Italy Award of Excellence in America", at its 3rd edition, which will take place in the most famous and prestigious US Italian American Foundation, the Columbus Citizens Foundation, in New York.

The Puglia Center of America award is recognized to the outstanding contribution of personalities born or raised (or which relatives or parents were born), in the sunniest region of Italy, Puglia. Previously, the Puglia Center of America recognized this prestigious award to the famous Hollywood Actor Joe Mantegna (star of the CBS series Criminal Mind), in a special edition held at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, last May 3, 2013 (watch the video of the award ceremony with Actor Joe Mantegna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOHy7ukkGFI)

A briefly introduction will be made by Maestro Luciano Lamonarca, President of the Puglia Center of America; Hon. Fucsia Nissoli, Representative of the Italian Parliament for Center and Nort America and Mr. Louis Tallarini, Chairman of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. Special guest will be American actor Tony Lo Bianco, who will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, especially for his last theatrical work "The Little Flower", where he portrays the former Mayor of New York, Mr. Fiorello La Guardia, and whose father was born in the City of Cerignola, in the Province of Foggia (in the South East Region of Italy, Puglia).

Recipients of the award ceremony will be: H.E. Ambassador Joseph Torsella, US Ambassador to the UN Management & Reform (which will be introduce by the H.E. Daniele D. Bodini, Permanent Representative of the Republic of San Marino to the UN); Mr. Mauro Romita, President of Castle Oil Corporation (which will be introduce by The Most Rev. Gerald Walsh, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York) and Donatella Arpaia, Renowned Restaurateur, Celebrity Chef, Author and Television Personality (which will be introduce by Ornella Fado, Creator, Author and TV Hostess of Brindiamo TV!)