This photo depicts a White House Italian State Dinner held on December 6, 1976 for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. The menu featured filet of red snapper meuniere, wild rice croquettes, and chocolate soufflé. In his remarks, President Gerald R. Ford said, “Historians point out that Thomas Jefferson, in writing the Declaration of Independence, drew on the wisdom of his Italian friend, Filippo Mazzei, in the drafting of several very, now immortal phrases. . . The very name America commemorates an Italian.” The Italian Prime Minister during his remarks (pictured) likewise noted, “Your country offers us familiar images and echoes. We can see the classical aspects of palladian inspiration in your Nation's Capital.”