[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 155 (Monday, September 26, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PRESIDENT MARCELO REBELO DE SOUSA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2022

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, 
Congressman David Valadao, to honor President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa 
of Portugal.
  President Rebelo de Sousa has been a champion for the Portuguese 
people, and a symbolic figure for the thriving Portuguese community 
here in the Valley. Most recently, he's fought with conviction to 
mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in Portugal, and ensure a fair and 
effective economic recovery.
  President Rebelo de Sousa was elected to his second term in January 
2021, earning 60.70 percent of the vote and finished nearly 48 
percentage points above his runner up.
  President Rebelo de Sousa led the Social Democratic Party from 1996 
to 1999. After the Social Democratic Party joined the European People's 
Party (EPP), he served as Vice-President of the EPP. He was a deputy to 
the Constitutional Assembly in 1976, and served in the 8th 
Constitutional Government as Secretary of State of the Presidency of 
the Council of Ministers. He then served as Minister of Parliamentary 
Affairs.
  During his long and esteemed career, President Rebelo de Sousa has 
worked in journalism, as a political commentator, and in the social 
sector. For generations of Portuguese, Rebelo de Sousa was a trusted 
analyst behind much of the news. Before turning 30 he was appointed as 
assistant director of `Expresso,' and in 1983 he founded the news 
organization Semanario. He also worked on TV stations RTP and TVI.
  His political career has also included service in local government as 
Municipal Deputy, Metropolitan Deputy, Councilor and President of the 
Municipal Assemblies of Cascais, Lisbon, and Celorico de Basto.
  He earned his Doctorate in Legal and Political Science and has taught 
widely, including as a tenured professor at the Faculty of Law at 
Lisbon University.
  On behalf of our Portuguese community in the central valley, we 
welcome President Rebelo de Sousa to Gustine and Livingston. Portuguese 
have been making their home in California since the early 16th century. 
Since then, they've become leaders in politics, education, the 
military, and agriculture, notably the dairy industry. We're honored by 
President Rebelo de Sousa's first visit to the Central Valley and he is 
always welcome here.
  Madam Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in celebrating and 
honoring President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

                          ____________________