Washington, October 8, 2020. The Ambassador of Italy Armando Varricchio today conferred to Patricia de Stacy Harrison and Anita Bevacqua McBride the Knighthood of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Patricia de Stacy Harrison, President of the Board of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, has been Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs. Anita Bevacqua McBride currently Vice President of the NIAF Board of Cultural Affairs has been assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush.
In their respective roles within the US Administration, Patricia de Stacy Harrison and Anita Bevacqua McBride have played a key role in strengthening relations between the United States and Italy in all fields. A commitment that continues today within the NIAF where both remain an essential point of reference to cement and enhance the close ties between Italy and the USA, through the vast Italian-American community and the many American citizens who share a passion and love for ‘Italy.
“I am particularly pleased to award, on behalf of the Head of State, Patricia de Stacy Harrison and Anita Bevacqua McBride the Knighthood of the Order of Merit of the Republic. The decision of President Mattarella – underlined Ambassador Varricchio – testifies to the their extraordinary personal and professional paths. Loyal to their country, these two amazing women have never stopped looking at Italy proudly living their identity: American with Italian origins”.
