President Carlo Matteucci and the National Delegates from the New York Grand Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America, have just returned from the National OSIA 49th Biennial National Convention. Vincent Sarno from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey has been elected National President for the 2005-2007 term.

Congratulations to all New York delegates who now hold positions in the Supreme Lodge … Joseph DiTrapani, National Fifth Vice President; Joseph Sciame, National Immediate Past President; Louis Ambrosio, National Treasurer; Dan Colantone and John Dabbene, National Trustees, National Foundation Trustee Edward Innella and Sylvia Summa and Santina Haemmerle, Alternate Arbitration Commissioners.

It was a week packed full of meetings and break out sessions and former National President Joseph Sciame conducted superb sessions and made New York OSIA most proud! Kudos to Convention Chairperson Joseph J. DiTrapani for all his hard work in coordinating this convention and making sure that everything ran smoothly.

State President Carlo Matteucci and First Lady Madeline Matteucci welcomed everyone to New York with warm hospitality and hosted a “Coney Island” theme party on Friday evening for delegates from all over the country to enjoy.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi presented over thirty local lodges with a special Centennial Cities plaque in honor of their service to their respective communities for at least twenty-five years. Also visiting the convention was Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Charles A. Gargano, Chairman and Commissioner, Empire State Development.

During the week, OSIA honored Geno Auriemma, coach of the Huskies women’s basketball team at the University of Connecticut. Our own Brother Ed Innella chaired this Sports Luncheon and lauded Coach Auriemma for holding the record of having the highest winning percentage of any active coach in women’s basketball.

At the philanthropic portion of the convention, New York OSIA donated over $80,000 to Cooley’s Anemia and $20,000 to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Almost half a million dollars was donated to these combined charities from all the grand lodges around the country.

On Saturday evening, a prestigious gala was held at the Waldorf Astoria where Astronaut Michael J. Massimino (of New Hyde Park) received National OSIA’s Marconi award in honor of the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi. Sister Carolyn Reres, a former teacher of Astronaut Massimino was especially proud to hear the outstanding accomplishments of this special student!

The convention delegates commemorated the 100^th Anniversary of the Order Sons of Italy in America with a special candle lighting ceremony … held on Thursday evening, August 18^th at the founding site … 203 Grand Street, New York City!