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In Recognition of Dia de Portugal

Floor Speech

By: Jim Costa
By: Jim Costa
Date: June 10, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs Arts, Entertainment, and History

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Mr. VALADAO of California, Mr. CICILLINE of Rhode Island, Mr. NUNES of California, Mr. LANGEVIN of Rhode Island, Mr. MCGOVERN of Massachusetts, Mr. KEATING of Massachusetts, and Mr. HONDA of California to recognize Día de Portugal and to champion the strong bond between the United States and Portugal. Celebrated on June 10 each year, Día de Portugal recognizes Portugal's beautiful heritage and culture.

Día de Portugal honors the death of the revered Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camoes in 1580. Camoes is famously known for Os Lusíadas, one of Portugal's most treasured literary works. The poem pays tribute to Portugal's golden age of exploration and celebrates the many monumental discoveries made by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century.

Vibrant Portuguese American communities can be seen across our nation from Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, to California and Hawaii. These communities are filled with over 1.3 million Americans of Portuguese descent who have been making positive contributions to our society for generations. We are a nation of immigrants, and celebrations like Día de Portugal remind us all that it is important to remain connected to our own individual heritage.

The United States and Portugal maintain a robust relationship, and have been connected ever since the Portuguese were among the first to recognize the U.S. as an independent nation at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. President George Washington formalized diplomatic relations on February 21, 1791, and our oldest continuously-operated U.S. Consulate in the world is located in Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores.

Mr. Speaker, on this Día de Portugal, we are reminded that our special relationship with Portugal must be continuously strengthened. As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said, ``The strong partnership between our two countries is more vital than ever.'' This day celebrates the accomplishments of Portuguese and Portuguese Americans, and we congratulate these communities on their global impact and achievement.

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