Written by:
Demetria Daniels

P: 212-332-9991

718-885-6576 A chatty, informative column of New York events featuring places, people and personalities and celebrities. demetriadaniels@gmail.com

 
THE ELLIS ISLAND AWARDS, started by William Dennis Fugazy under NECO, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations was formed to honor the finest representatives of their heritage who meld the traditions of their ancestry with the values and vitality that keep American strong
Past winners were Presidents Clinton, Ford, Carter, Nixon, Bush as well as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Michael Douglas.

A beautiful spring day greated us as we sailed to Ellis Island where marching bands, Irish dancers, 10-year old violinists and USO singers entertained the 1000 guests and 100 awardees.

Lee Iacocca welcomed everyone and Thomas Dressen emceed the evening.



Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and her Father Dr. James S. C. Chao received the award for the first daughter/father team. Privately she told us how she buried the word CANT in a shoebox in Queens when she was young. She had been past President of the Peace Corps. She thanked her parents and her husband Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.


PENNY MARSHALL, director of BIG starring TOM HANKS and A League of their Own starring MADONNA was waiting for a call from her daughter who was expecting any second and went to look for the Italian family name on the wall. (The baby came and is named ISABELLA-CONGRATULATIONS)

After the ceremony and dinner we sailed back to watch the Gruccis fireworks with the Ambassadors from China and H.E. Abdoulaye Diop from Mali who both said "God Bless Amercia".


posted by Demetria at 2:21 PM