Senate Resolution No. 677

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the observance of Portugal Day in
the State of New York, on June 10, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
events which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the observance of Portugal Day in the State of New York, on
June 10, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Every 10th day of June, the Portuguese diaspora around the
world observes Portugal Day, their national holiday known as Dia de
Portugal which celebrates the history and heritage of Portugal; and

WHEREAS, The Portuguese American community in New York has been an
integral part of our great state since its inception with long standing
community centers in Mineola, Yonkers, Farmingdale, Brooklyn, Manhattan,
New Rochelle, Tarrytown, Ossining, and Mount Vernon among others; and

WHEREAS, This date also commemorates the death of Luis de Camoes, a
significant figure in the history of Portugal; he is best known for his
work on Lusiadas, the national epic poem of Portugal which celebrates
the nation's successes and rich history; and

WHEREAS, Since then, the country's national day was established and
subsequently celebrated on June 10th; it is because of uncertainties on
Camoes' birth date that Portugal Day was established to commemorate the
hero's death; and

WHEREAS, The borders of the Nation of Portugal were defined in 1143,
making it one of the oldest nations in the world; in fact, Lisbon is
actually four centuries older than Rome; and

WHEREAS, Portuguese is one of the 10 most spoken languages in the
world, with over 250 million Portuguese speakers around the globe, and
is the official language in nine countries, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola,
Portugal, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Macau, Cape
Verde, Sao Tome, and Principle; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, Portugal came in 4th place on the Global Peace
Index (GPI), making it one of the most peaceful countries in the world;
and

WHEREAS, Portugal is a European leader in sustainable energy; in
March of 2018, Portugal generated 100 percent of its energy through
renewable sources such as hydro, wind, and solar power; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, Portugal ranked as the 4th green country in the
European Union across six categories, including waste, energy,

greenhouse gases, air quality, fresh water, and natural land; Portugal
was also among the first countries in the world to set 2050 carbon
neutrality goals; and

WHEREAS, On July 1, 2001, Portugal became the first country in the
world to decriminalize all drugs; today, the country has some of the
lowest drug usage rates in the European Union, where most countries hold
criminalization models; and

WHEREAS, Portugal is home to the world's largest cork forest, making
up 34 percent of the world's area of cork forests and producing more
than 50 percent of the world's cork supply; and

WHEREAS, Due to its many achievements and low cost of living and tax
incentives, retirees from all over the world settle in Portugal;
retirees can make use of the NHR regime, a quality healthcare system,
and an all-around high standard of living; and

WHEREAS, Each year, tourists also travel to Portugal, approximately
eight million of which visit the site of the Fatima apparitions and the
Miracle of the Sun; in 1917, three shepherd children witnessed the
apparition of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, six times over six months;
these three apparitions and the spread of the messages throughout the
city culminated in the Miracle of the Sun, allegedly witnessed by over
70,000 people; and now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the observance of Portugal Day in the State of New York, on
June 10, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Luisa Pais Lowe, the Consul General of Portugal in New
York.