[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 371 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 371

 Designating June 10, 1995, as ``Portuguese American Friendship Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 26, 1994

Mr. Pombo introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred 
           to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Designating June 10, 1995, as ``Portuguese American Friendship Day''.

Whereas history has shown that Portugal has always felt a universal destiny and 
        a calling to establish a vast network of relationships beyond Europe;
Whereas June 10, Portugal's National Day, celebrates the life and work of the 
        16th century poet Luis Vaz de Camoes of Portugal, whose work extols the 
        courage and exploits of Portuguese explorers who sailed to points beyond 
        the horizon;
Whereas thousands of Portuguese have embarked on their own voyages to the United 
        States, and today over 2,000,000 Americans are able to trace their 
        ancestry to Portugal;
Whereas Portuguese Americans have distinguished themselves as honest, hard-
        working, patriotic, and family-oriented;
Whereas Portuguese Americans have achieved an important place in American 
        culture through their participation in the arts, commerce, academics, 
        sports, politics, and religion;
Whereas Portugal and the United States have had friendly and cordial relations 
        since American independence;
Whereas Portugal and the United States continue to work together, cooperating 
        through their membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to 
        promote peace and to adapt to the challenges of a changing world in 
        light of the lifting of the Iron Curtain;
Whereas Portugal and the United States have a relationship based on mutual 
        respect and a sharing of interests and ideals, particularly a deeply 
        held commitment to democratic values; and
Whereas it is appropriate to designate a national day to honor Portuguese 
        Americans and celebrate the unique contributions they have made 
        throughout the history of the United States and to honor the Portuguese 
        people and their national day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That June 10, 1995, is 
designated as ``Portuguese American Friendship Day'', and the President 
is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the 
people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate 
programs and activities.

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