The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is an advocacy organization for Italian Americans, the fifth largest ethnic group in the United States of America. It is based in Washington, DC.

Its mission is to preserve and protect Italian American heritage and culture. Through its many programs, the NIAF:

• Helps young Italian Americans with their educations and careers
• Works closely with Congress and the White House to promote the appointment of Italian Americans in government
• Encourages the teaching of Italian language and culture in U.S. schools
• Monitors the portrayal of Italian Americans by the news and entertainments industries
• Strengthens cultural and economic ties between Italy and the U.S.

Every year, the NIAF honors outstanding Italians and Italian Americans at its Anniversary Gala Dinner. This event draws nearly 3,000 people from the U.S. and abroad to Washington, DC.

Samuel Alito

The NIAF supports Italian American Samuel Alito's nomination to the United States Supreme Court. It has vocally denoucing the nickname "Scalito" as derogatory and offensive to Italian Americans. The nickname has been used as a comparison between Alito and current Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. NIAF Chairman Kenneth Ciongoli said in a press release:

"The NIAF is distressed by the attempts of some senators and the media (CNN,CBS) to marginalize Judge Samuel Alito's outstanding record, by frequent reference to his Italian heritage and by the use of the nickname, "Scalito." Appropriately, no one mentioned that Justice Stephen Breyer was Jewish or suggested that he was lock-step ideologically with the other Jewish Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, it would have been outrageous to do so. We still do not know Justice Robert's ethnicity.

We are justly proud of Justice Alito's Italian heritage and his sterling academic and judicial records as well as his impeccable integrity. However, he should be considered as an individual. In honor of the memory of the just-departed Rosa Parks, the Senate champions of civil rights should insist that Judge Alito be considered only on his extraordinary merits."

Notes

1. Fox and Friends November 1, 2005, Fox News Channel
2. Statement of Kenneth A. Ciongoli, Chairman of the National Italian American Foundation, October 31, 2005

External links

• National Italian American Foundation

Italian-Americans | Civic and political organizations