Washington, D.C., February 16—On Friday, February 15, 2013, the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano received the 2013 GEI Award, awarded by Gruppo Esponenti Italiani. The honor was presented by GEI President Lucio Caputo in recognition and appreciation for all the great activities he performed during his term of office, for his remarkable and tireless personal commitment, for being a reliable point of reference for Italians and for the exceptional contribution to the country and, therefore, the image of Italy in the world.
The award ceremony was held at Villa Firenze in Washington, D.C., and preceded the dinner hosted by Ambassador Bisogniero in honor of the President of the Italian Republic.
The GEI AWARD, a sculpture specially created for GEI by artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, is given to prominent Italians and Americans who have distinguished themselves in their fields.
President Napolitano is the third President of the Italian Republic to receive the GEI Award. The two other awardees were Sandro Pertini and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.
Among other Italian and American awardees through the years: Gianni Agnelli, Luciano Benetton, Guido Carli, Mario Cuomo, Edward M. Kennedy, Emma Marcegaglia, Mario Monti, Corrado Passera, Luciano Pavarotti, Sergio Pininfarina and David Rockefeller.