[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 92 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING DIA DE PORTUGAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 10, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with Mr. Nunes of California, 
Mr. Valadao of California, Mr. Cicilline of Rhode Island, Mr. Denham of 
California, Mr. Zeldin of New York, Ms. Lofgren of California, Mr. 
McGovern of Massachusetts, and Mr. Honda of California to recognize Dia 
de Portugal. On June 10 each year, Dia de Portugal celebrates the 
Portuguese people, their strong heritage, and their beautiful country 
and culture.
  Dia de Portugal honors the death of the revered Portuguese poet Luis 
Vaz de Camoes in 1580. While his mastery of verse has been compared to 
both Shakespeare and Dante, Camoes is famously known for his epic ``Os 
Lusiadas,'' one of Portugal's most treasured literary works. The poem 
pays tribute to Portugal's golden age of exploration and celebrates the 
many world-changing discoveries made by its seafaring explorers in the 
15th century.
  In his poem, Camoes speaks of the Portuguese as destined to 
accomplish great deeds, and they have. This rings especially true of 
the more than one million Portuguese-Americans who have been 
contributing to and enriching culture in the United States for 
generations. Americans of Portuguese descent are responsible for 
tremendous growth and innovation, whether it be in the arts, 
agriculture, sports, or the highest levels of American government. The 
unbreakable bond between Portugal and the United States goes back many 
years--to the very founding of our nation.
  After the Revolutionary War, Portugal was one of our first allies and 
one of the first countries to officially recognize the United States. 
In 1791, President George Washington formalized diplomatic relations 
with Portugal, and our relationship is stronger than ever more than 200 
years later.
  Today, Portugal is not just our friend and ally, but an important 
strategic partner for the United States. We must never forget the role 
of Portugal and Lajes Field during World War II, when the Portuguese 
helped us protect supply ships, identify U-boats, and win the war 
against fascism. As home to the U.S. Air Force's 65th Air Base Wing, 
Lajes Field was instrumental in our efforts during the Cold War and the 
Yom Kippur War and continues to be a critical asset in the Atlantic.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I join hands with the people of 
Portugal to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the many ties 
between us, and we vow to ensure our relationship remains strong and 
robust. Along with the people of Portugal and Portuguese-Americans 
throughout the United States, we wish everyone a happy and joyous Dia 
de Portugal.

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