[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 156 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 2017 PORTUGUESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Mr. 
Valadao, Mr. Cicilline, and Mr. Zeldin, Co-Chairs of the Congressional 
Portuguese Caucus, to recognize the recipients of the 21st Annual 
Portuguese-American Leadership Awards as bestowed by the Portuguese 
American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS). These 
recipients are unique individuals who have accomplished much throughout 
their careers and continue to uphold their cultural traditions and lead 
the next generation.
  Receiving the Leadership in the Arts Award, Ms. Ana Ventura Miranda 
founded the Arte Institute on April 11, 2001, an organization dedicated 
to promoting Portuguese culture, highlighting multiple aspects of 
Portuguese art including literature, music, dance, and film. This 
institute serves as a platform for Portuguese artists to connect and 
showcase their work in New York. In 2011, Ms. Ventura Miranda organized 
the first New York Portuguese Short Film Festival showing a total of 
twenty films, providing Portuguese film directors an opportunity to 
share their work.
  Receiving the Leadership in Scholarship Award, Dr. Francisco Cota 
Fagundes of the University of Massachusetts Amherst is in his thirty-
ninth year of teaching. Dr. Fagundes's studies are focused on 
contemporary Portuguese literature, specifically of the Portuguese 
North American diaspora. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he 
is a Professor of Spanish and Portuguese Studies. Dr. Fagundes has also 
written over thirty books and numerous articles on a wide array of 
topics.
  Receiving the Leadership in Entrepreneurship Award, Ms. Maria Lawton 
``the Azorean Green Bean'' is known for her authentic, Azorean cooking. 
With her popular cookbook Azorean Cooking: From My Family's Table to 
Yours, Ms. Lawton continues her quest to recreate her family recipes 
for everyone to enjoy.
  Receiving the Leadership in Education Award, Mr. Alan Tenreiro is the 
President of Mt. Saint Charles Academy, a Catholic Junior and Senior 
High School located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Over the years, Mr. 
Tenreiro has been recognized for his leadership work as a principal. 
During his tenure at Cumberland High School, the school saw a 
significant rise in test scores, major drop in disciplinary issues, and 
an increase in the amount of advanced placement classes offered.
  Receiving the Leadership in Community Service Award, Ms. Rosa Leal is 
the Founder & President of the Daughters of Portugal. Ms. Leal is the 
founder and main organizer in the Mineola Portugal Day Parade. This 
year she was honored as the Grand Marshal of the event. In addition, 
Ms. Leal also serves as the Vice President of the New York Portuguese-
American Leadership Conference.
  Receiving the Young Portuguese-American ``Promessa'' Award, Mr. Adam 
Costa is also a 2017 United Kingdom Fulbright Scholar recipient. As a 
graduate of Bridgewater State University in 2017, Mr. Costa will be 
using his Fulbright Scholarship to begin a master's program in politics 
abroad in England at the University of Manchester. He will continue his 
comparative research which he started at Bridgewater State on youth 
violence reduction programs.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that we ask our colleagues to 
join us in recognizing and honoring the 21st Annual Portuguese-American 
Leadership Award recipients. These individuals are exemplary leaders 
who continue to inspire the next generation of Portuguese American 
Leaders.

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