Over 350 people attended a wonderful Commission for Social Justice (CSJ) dinner on Sunday, February 29^th at the lavish “Russo’s On The Bay” in Howard Beach.  

OSIA’s commission honored:  Congressman Steve Israel who represents New York’s Second Congressional District; the Honorable Frank Petrone, Huntington Town Supervisor; and Laura Savini, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for WLIW21 News York Public Television.  Each was honored for their dedication to fighting bias and bigotry and for working closely with the Italian American community to support cultural and social issues of importance to Italian Americans.

 The Commission for Social Justice is the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America and is committed to fight the stereotyping of Italian Americans by the entertainment, advertising and news industries.  It also collaborates with other groups to ensure that people of all races, religions and cultures are treated with dignity and respect.

 OSIA State President Joseph J. DiTrapani lauded the efforts of CSJ President Santina Haemmerle and Dinner Chairperson Josephine Morici Cohen … and the entire dinner and journal committee … for their untiring efforts to bring this wonderful day to fruition.

Everyone in attendance had a wonderful afternoon and we were privileged to have such prestigious honorees for this year’s event.  Congressman Israel has been a friend to OSIA for many years and has a “listening ear” for the Italian American Community.  Supervisor Petrone is a Brother member of OSIA and you can always rely on him to be approachable and helpful in whatever capacity he is needed.  Laura Savini’s emphasis on Italian American productions on WLIW21 has provided the opportunity for her to become closely knit with the Italian American community.