[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





              IN RECOGNITION OF STRATFORD PORTUGUESE HALL

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                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2016

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Stratford 
Portuguese Hall Association on its 100th anniversary of service to our 
community.
  The Stratford Portuguese Hall Association was founded in December 
1915, when a group of Portuguese immigrants from the Azores Islands 
assembled to join the Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit in the 
community of Stratford, California. In 2010, several Portuguese 
fraternal organizations, including the Brotherhood of the Divine Holy 
Spirit, consolidated to form the Portuguese Fraternal Society of 
America.
  Stratford Portuguese Hall brought the ``Festa'' weekend traditions of 
serving sopas, dancing, and parades to Stratford for the first time in 
1916. The celebrations can be traced back to medieval Portugal when 
Queen Isabel made offerings of food and festival to the people in 1296. 
Since 1916, these Portuguese traditions have been shared with the 
community of Stratford. The goal of the ``Festa'' is to honor the past, 
celebrate the present, and encourage the future, while celebrating the 
Portuguese culture.
  To reach a 100-year milestone is a remarkable achievement, and 
Stratford Portuguese Hall Association has had to overcome many 
challenges to reach this point, including a devastating fire that 
destroyed the Hall in 2003. However, the Hall was able to meet the 
challenges it was presented with, and continues to serve our community 
today. As the son of Portuguese immigrants, I am proud of this 
incredible achievement.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in recognizing Stratford Portuguese Hall on their 100th 
anniversary and wishing them a happy ``Festa'' this year.

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