LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Portuguese American Center of
Suffolk upon the occasion of celebrating the 4th Annual Portugal Day
Celebration and paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions 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 commend
the Portuguese American Center of Suffolk upon the occasion of celebrat-
ing the 4th Annual Portugal Day Celebration on Saturday, May 23, 2015,
in Farmingville, New York; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 Portugal Day honorees include: Fernando Frade, Fati-
ma Ward, Marco Dafonte, Monica Oliveira, Joaquim Cunha, Manuela Bairos,
and Oliveira Contracting; and
WHEREAS, Every year on June 10th, Portuguese people celebrate the
national holiday known as Dia de Portugal in their native tongue; the
rest of the world recognizes this momentous occasion as Portugal Day;
and
WHEREAS, This date commemorates the death of Luis de Camoes, a signif-
icant 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, The Lusiadas depicts the achievements of the Portuguese in
world explorations during the 16th Century; Portugal played an important
role in the discovery of the new world during this century and their
accomplishments have certainly put this European country on the map; and
WHEREAS, A monument built in memory of Luis de Camoes stands proudly
in one of the busiest streets of beautiful Lisbon, the country's capital
city; it immortalizes the character of Portugal's national poet and is
able to aptly represent the person he was; and
WHEREAS, Portugal was conquered by Spain in the year 1580; it is quite
ironic that the nation lost its independence in the year that saw the
death of Camoes; three generations and 60 years of Spanish rule after,
Portugal regained its independence on December 1, 1640; 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Portuguese American Center of Suffolk upon the occasion of
celebrating the 4th Annual Portugal Day Celebration, and to pay tribute
to this year's honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Portuguese American Center of Suffolk, and the 2015 hono-
rees.