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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2003
Contact: Nina Blackwell Senator Clinton’s Press Office
(212) 688-9559 Cell: (917) 584-4314

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Visits Troy’s Little Italy 8/2

On Saturday, August 2nd at 3 p.m., Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will arrive at the Italian Community Center, 1450 5th Avenue, Troy, to meet and greet some Troy neighbors. At this neighborhood event, Joe Fama of TAP, Inc. will reveal exciting new plans he has been working on for Troy’s Little Italy. Rocco “Rocky” DeFazio of DeFazio’s Pizzeria and Import Shop will also share some of his thoughts, plans and inspirations for Little Italy, the initiative he launched last January. The visit will conclude with a stop at DeFazio’s Pizzeria and Import Shop at 264 4th Street, Troy, if time allows.

Senator Clinton’s contacted the DeFazio family and asked to visit Little Italy to learn more about the plans for this area. Her visit will allow her to meet the people and planners of Little Italy. “We are thrilled that Senator Clinton is visiting our neighborhood, and hope that we can work together in the future,” says Rocky DeFazio. “It’s an exciting time for Troy!”

Individuals on the speaking program include:

• Troy Mayor Mark Pattison
• Joe Fama from TAP, Inc., unveiling new streetscape designs for Little Italy
• Rocky DeFazio of DeFazio’s Pizzeria and Import Shop
• Senator Hillary Clinton

Troy’s Little Italy was launched by Rocky DeFazio in January 2003. Successful Little Italy initiatives by Gli Amici di Piccola Italia (Friends of Little Italy) to date include:

• Community Gardens has completed initial draft sketches of a beautified neighborhood area;
• Mayor Mark Pattison and the City of Troy graciously agreed to cover the costs of “Welcome to Little Italy” banners, now hanging on Fourth Street in Little Italy;
• Ty Austin of Renaissance Floral Design has planted beautiful flowers and hanging baskets at DeFazio’s Pizzeria and Imports as an example of a beautification effort;
• The DeFazio family hosted “La Tavola di San Giuseppe” (Feast of St. Joseph’s) at the Neighborhood Resource Center at 4th and Adams to thank the volunteers at the Resource Center for their hard work;
• Friends of Little Italy worked with volunteers from the Neighborhood Resource Center to host a successful Arts Stroll on Washington Park, Friday, May 2nd, which raised funds for the Resource Center;
• The Tri-City Valley Cats hosted “Italian Night” at the Joseph L. Bruno stadium on Thursday, July 17th to celebrate and support the efforts of Little Italy.
  

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