Ellis Island to give Springsteen heritage award

NEW YORK -- Everyone knows he was born in the U.S.A.

On Thursday, Bruce Springsteen's European roots are being celebrated as the rocker receives an Ellis Island Family Heritage Award.

The honor is presented by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. It's for immigrants or their descendants "who have made a major contribution to the American experience."

Also being honored are investment banker Peter G. Peterson; Avon Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung, and NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo (dih-KEHM'-bay moo-TAHM'-boh).

Springsteen's relatives came through Ellis Island from Italy in 1900.