COLLEGE HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL MILLE GRAZIE AWARDS
June 6, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ -- Bloomfield College and the Anti-Bias Committee of UNICO National recently hosted the second annual Mille Grazie Awards Program in the Robert V. Van Fossan Theatre on campus.
The Mille Grazie Award is given in appreciation to individuals, institutions or companies that have been instrumental in helping to foster a positive image of Italian-Americans, or who have shown themselves to be a friend to the Italian-American community.
This year’s awards were presented to: Bloomfield College President John F. Noonan; New Jersey Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano; Pennsylvania radio talk show host Lawrence E. Tamanini; Fra Noi Italian-American newspaper; The Italian Tribune newspaper; and the Broadcasting Department at Montclair State University.
Dr. John F. Noonan has served as president of Bloomfield College since 1987 and has exhibited exemplary cooperation and understanding of the issues confronting Italian-Americans today. He has made the College’s facilities available to UNICO for the “Mille Grazie Awards” and the “Debt To Honor” programs and also co-sponsored the events.
Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano has been in the forefront of the effort to foster the preservation and propagation of Italian American culture and heritage. He played a leading role in the introduction and enactment of legislation creating the New Jersey Italian/Italian-American Studies Commission.
Radio talk show host Lawrence Tamanini was recognized for his efforts in fostering a positive image for Italian-Americans. Through his weekly radio broadcasts on WBCB 1490 AM, “The Italian American Hour,” he provides exposure and opportunity for Italian-American musicians and singers. He is also an active advocate of UNICO National, Sons of Italy and other Italian-American organizations.
Fra Noi newspaper, based in Illinois, was recognized for its educational value and for promoting a positive Italian-American image while actively combating negative stereotyping.
The Italian Tribune newspaper, based in New Jersey, has become a fixture in Italian-American homes throughout the metropolitan area. The Italian Tribune was recognized for its longstanding and on-going support of UNICO National, and for promoting a positive Italian-American image while combating negative stereotyping.
Montclair State University’s Broadcasting Department was recognized for the student-produced video entitled “Media and the Mob,” which exposes and explores distorted images of Italian-Americans in the media.
UNICO National is the nation’s largest Italian-American service organization, and counts among its missions the preservation and propagation of Italian-American culture and heritage. The Anti-Bias Committee of UNICO National works with other Italian-American organizations to actively oppose the negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans.
