[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 72 (Friday, June 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
RECOGNIZING PORTUGAL'S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND 
       THE CONTRIBUTION OF PORTUGUESE-AMERICANS TO AMERICAN LIFE

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign 
Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of Senate 
Resolution 220, a resolution recognizing Portugal's special 
relationship with the United States; that the resolution and the 
preamble be agreed to; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table en bloc; and, that any statements thereon appear in the Record at 
the appropriate place.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 220) was considered and agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution and the preamble are as follows:

                              S. Res. 220

       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 
     an 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 honor Portuguese Americans and 
     celebrate the unique contributions both have made throughout 
     the history of the United States; and
       Whereas it is appropriate to honor Portuguese people and 
     their national day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That Portugal is hereby recognized for its 
     special relationship with the United States, and that 
     Portuguese people are hereby recognized for their special 
     contributions to the United States.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I submitted a resolution that recognizes 
the special relationship between Portugal and the United States, and 
recognizes the special contribution that Portuguese people have made 
and continue to make to this country.
  Mr. President, my native American heritage is pretty well known. What 
many people do not know is that I have a lot of Portuguese blood in me 
as well.
  The occasion for this resolution is Portugal's National Day. Portugal 
celebrates its National Day on June 10. On this day, Portuguese people 
remember their heritage of exploration and their long, colorful 
national history.
  Mr. President, I just had the chance to visit Portugal for the first 
time.
  This is a good time, in honor of Portugal's National Day, to 
recognize the unique relationship between the United States and 
Portugal, and to show our appreciation for Portugal's support of our 
country ever since American independence.
  This is also a good time to honor the 2 million Americans who trace 
their ancestry to Portugal. Portuguese-Americans contribute to all 
aspects of American life, in the arts, commerce, academics, sports, 
politics, and religion. We have added our own special flavor to our 
large and multifaceted Nation.
  This resolution has been cleared by the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee. I would like to thank Senator Helms for his support and 
help. I especially want to thank Senator Pell for his help in bringing 
this bill to the floor on such short notice because of its timeliness. 
Senator Pell is a great friend to Portugal, and represents a good 
number of Portuguese-Americans in his State, and I know he particularly 
appreciates their contributions to American life.


                 commemorating portugal's national day

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, today, as Portugal celebrates its National 
Day, I believe it is a good opportunity to pay tribute to the people of 
Portugal as well as to the more than 2 million Americans who trace 
their ancestry to that country.
  Yesterday, Senator Campbell, who is himself a Portuguese-American, 
submitted a resolution to recognize Portugal's special relationship 
with the United States as Portugal celebrates its National Day. I 
commend Senator Campbell for his efforts to bring this important day to 
the Senate's attention. I am pleased to join him in cosponsoring this 
resolution.
  I would note that I, too, have a strong bond to Portugal and its 
people. My father, Herbert Pell, served as U.S. Minister to Lisbon from 
1937 to 1941, and I remember the friendly and warm welcome I always 
received when I visited my father while he held that post. My home 
State of Rhode Island boasts a large and energetic Portuguese 
population, and Portuguese-Americans have contributed greatly to the 
commercial, religious, and political life not only of Rhode Island, but 
of the Nation.
  Sea trade, for example, was the most important aspect of United 
States-Portuguese relations during the last century, and New England 
fishermen regularly visited the Portuguese islands of Cape Verde and 
the Azores. Many Portuguese mariners joined the crews of the United 
States ships and eventually many of these sailors emigrated to Rhode 
Island towns, where their ancestors are leaders in our State's fishing 
industry.

  I would also note that the first synagogue in the United States--the 
Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI--was dedicated in 1763 by Portuguese and 
Spanish Jews.
  Portugal's National Day celebrates the life and work of the 16th 
century poet Luis Vaz de Camoes, demonstrating the high regard the 
Portuguese have for culture and the arts. Indeed, Portuguese Americans 
have made many important contributions to America's cultural life. For 
example, composers John Philip Sousa and Joe Raposo, writers Emma 
Lazarus and John Dos Passos were Portuguese-Americans.
  Three years ago, we celebrated the bicentennial of United States-
Portuguese relations. At that time, I sponsored a resolution marking 
that anniversary and noted that our political and diplomatic ties with 
Portugal, a NATO ally and trusted friend, were strong. I am pleased to 
report that during the past 3 years, in the midst of a great deal of 
upheaval in Europe--war in the Balkans, the break-up of the Soviet 
Union, a reexamination of NATO's role--the ties between the United 
States and Portugal have remained solid. Our two countries continue to 
share a commitment to democracy, freedom and peace--values which are 
important not only as we confront a changing Europe--but as we approach 
challenges in the Middle East and Africa. Portugal is a great friend of 
the United States, and on this important day, I would like to pay 
tribute to Portugal and Portuguese-Americans.

                          ____________________