On Thursday, January 20, 2005, Honorary Chairman of the OSIA Centennial Cities Recognition Program and Nassau County Executive, Thomas R. Suozzi, hosted a special OSIA Centennial Cities Recognition Program Breakfast at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, Long Island.

There were over 125 lodge presidents, lodge representatives, national officers and state officers in attendance.  National OSIA President Joseph Sciame and State OSIA President Joseph J. DiTrapani spoke about the numerous upcoming events planned for OSIA’s 100^th Anniversary Celebration during 2005 and specifically about the Centennial Cities Recognition Program initiated by National President Sciame.  Honorary Chairman Suozzi, a member of the Loggia Glen Cove No. 1016, expressed his excitement and enthusiasm for the project as well as a plans for a special “Italian Festa” to be held in Eisenhower Park on Monday evening, June 27^th during Italian Night at Eisenhower Park. 

National President Joseph Sciame explained that in conjunction with OSIA’s Centennial Celebrations for 2005, a special designation will include a national recognition program for those lodges and city locations that have existed for 25 years or more and that have contributed in a variety of ways to the social well being of those communities.  No more than 100 lodges and cities are to be recognized.  The designation will be awarded during the National OSIA Convention to be held in New York City during the days of August 16^th through August 21^st, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.  Application for the designation of “OSIA Centennial Cities Recognition Program” can be obtained from the OSIA website at www.osia.org or through the State Grand Lodge offices.  Application deadline is April 15, 2005 and must be completed in its entirety with substantive justification and quality.