(The slideshow remarks are by Judge Massaro who presented
the Gold Medal to Speaker Pelosi)

On September 16, 2009, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received the Gold Medal award from the American Society of Italian Legions of Merit (ASILM) at a ceremony held in the House Speaker's Office. The medal was presented by Cav. di Gran Croce, Justice Dominic R. Massaro, Justice of the Supreme Court of New York, and current President of ASILM.

The gold medal is presented to heads of state, heads of government, principalities of internationally-recognized entities. ASILM awarded the Gold Medal to President Giorgio Napolitano in September 2007 in Rome, President George W. Bush in 2006 at the White House, and President Carlo Ciampi in 2005. Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were Congressman Bill Pascrell, Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, NIAF Secretary John F. Calvelli, Holy Rosary Church Pastor Lydio Tomasi, NOIWA President Eileen Riotto. DC Comites President Carmelo Cicala, AMICO Editor Pino Cicala, ASILM's Board Member and former Honorary Vice Consul of Connecticut Alfonso Panico, Honorary Vice Consul of Italy in St. Louis, Joseph Colagiovanni, and ASILM's Chief of Protocol Rosemary Gallina Santangelo.

(Photos by Francesco Isgro) |09.16.2009|