SPONSOR: National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in conjunction with the NIAF- Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum and the Italian American Congressional Staff Association

WHO: Opening Remarks from Congressman David Cicilline and a Panel of Experts on Italy and the Syrian Refugee Crisis

WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2015. Noon – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: The United States Capitol. Rayburn House Office Building. Room B-339, Washington, D.C.

NIAF will host "The Syrian Refugee Crisis: Effects and Responses in Italy and the United States," a public policy forum luncheon on Capitol Hill. Opening remarks will be made by Congressman David Cicilline, a member of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, who has championed this issue.

Senior Fellow and Deputy Director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jeffrey Rathke, will moderate the panel. Panelists include: Marilina Armellin, counsellor at the Embassy of Italy; Jessica Ashooh, deputy director of the Middle East Strategy Task Force at the Atlantic Council; Giovanni Faleg, secretary of the Italian Democratic Party (PD) in the District of Columbia and a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies; and Matteo Garavoglia, Italy Program fellow at The Brookings Institution.

Co-Chairman of the Italian American Congressional Delegation of the 114th United States Congress representatives Pat Tiberi (OH) and Bill Pascrell (NJ) will be joined by NIAF's leadership, including Vice Chairman Gabriel A. Battista; Executive Vice President John F. Calvelli, and Treasurer Robert E. Carlucci, and the Foundation's Government Relations and Public Policy Committee Chair Mark Valente lll. Administration and government officials, business and community leaders, media, and other notables will also attend.

NIAF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works closely in Washington, D.C., with the Italian American Congressional Delegation and The White House as a national voice of the Italian American community to promote stronger economic, social and cultural relations between Italy and the United States. Our cornerstone programs include scholarships and cultural grants to support educational and cultural activities at many colleges and universities.

Media Contact: Elissa Ruffino, 202-939-3106, elissa@niaf.org