PROVIDENCE, RI, May 15, 2012—The Federal Hill House Association (FHHA), a Providence human services agency that spurred the city’s growth in the early 1900s by helping thousands of immigrants assimilate, has named six Rhode Islanders to receive its Legacy of Service Award in June at its 125th anniversary dinner. It will be the first time that the FHHA will present the award, which is designed to recognize people for their long-standing service to the Rhode Island community.

The six honorees are Gene Gasbarro, Judge Gilbert Indeglia, Dorothy Pieniadz, Ph.D., Richard Spaziano, Michael Solomon, Providence city council president, and John Tarantino, Esq. In addition, the FHHA will recognize the India Association of Rhode Island for its service to the Federal Hill community.

“The Legacy of Service award, which we will be presenting annually, was created to support and emphasize our theme of giving to the community for our 125th anniversary celebration,” says Nina Pande, executive director, Federal Hill House Association. “The six people we’re honoring as well as the India Association have all made significant contributions to the Federal Hill and the Rhode Island communities. They personify what we had in mind when we created the award.”

Gasbarro is a management consultant and a CCRI supervisor. He was a vice president of Industrial National Bank, a senior vice president of Eastland Bank, and an administrator for the Laborers-AGC Education and Training Fund. Dr. Pieniadz is a founder of Big Sisters of Rhode Island and professor emeritus of education at Rhode Island College. She served as the school’s first dean of students from 1956 to 1969. Spaziano is a respected teacher and guidance counselor in the Johnston school system. Solomon represents the Elmhurst/Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods. Tarrantino is a partner with the law firm of Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C. He is a noted and highly respected litigator who has successfully argued precedent-setting cases across the country.

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Judge Indeglia is a justice on the Rhode Island Supreme Court. His father was a member of the Federal Hill House’s Board of Directors, and his grandfather, Benjamin Cianciarulo, was Rhode Island’s first official public defender. Judge Indeglia is being honored not only for his extensive service to Rhode Island but also his family’s service to both Federal Hill and the state.

The India Association of Rhode Island is a non-profit organization that promotes cultural, social and educational aspects of India through the advancement and appreciation of our Indian-Asian community. Founded more than 30 years ago, it represents more than 800 Rhode Island families. They support the food bank at the Federal Hill House and host its monthly community dinners.

About Federal Hill House Association

The Federal Hill House Association is Providence’s second largest human services agency. It serves a diverse community of residents and delivers a wide range of client-focused services. During the early 1900s it helped help thousands of Italian immigrants adjust to the New World. Today, the Federal Hill House is a multi-ethnic, social service non-profit agency, providing services that help improve the quality of life of its constituents.

For more information about the Federal Hill House Association, its trilingual immersion program, or FHHA’s services, contact the Federal Hill House Association, 9 Courtland Street, Providence, RI 02909, Tel: 401-421-4722. E-mail: fhh@federalhillhouse.org

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Contact:
Nina Pande
Federal Hill House Association
Tel: 401-421-4722
FAX: 401-421-4725
E-mail: ninapande@federalhillhouse.org
Web Site: www.federalhillhouse.org

1 COMMENT

  1. Congratulations! And speaking of assimilation: Here’s my top-ten list of what we should expect from those who want to become Americans (and those who are already Americans, for that matter). The list was first published in a National Review Online column a decade ago [link: http://old.nationalreview.com/comment/comment091200d.shtml ], and it is fleshed out in Congressional testimony [link: http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/May2007/Clegg070523.pdf ]:

    1. Don’t disparage anyone else’s race or ethnicity.
    2. Respect women.
    3. Learn to speak English.
    4. Be polite.
    5. Don’t break the law.
    6. Don’t have children out of wedlock.
    7. Don’t demand anything because of your race or ethnicity.
    8. Don’t view working and studying hard as “acting white.”
    9. Don’t hold historical grudges.
    10. Be proud of being an American.