[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14377]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE FEAST OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2014

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
Anniversary of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, the largest 
Portuguese feast in the world and one of the largest festivals in New 
England.
  Founded in 1915, the Feast recreates the traditional religious 
festivals of Portugal and celebrates the safe passage onto American 
shores. The Feast is often referred to as ``the Madeira Feast'' because 
its roots lie in the tiny mountain and shoreside villages of the island 
of Madeira, the ``Pearl of the Atlantic.'' For the last 100 years, New 
Bedford has hosted the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, featuring 
authentic Portuguese food, wine, and music, along with lessons on 
Portuguese history and folklore.
  Today, this historic feast continues to maintain its cultural 
significance to those who wish to honor the Medeira customs. 
Additionally, it is known to provide endless entertainment to the 
entire New Bedford community.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the town of New Bedford 
and the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc., who sponsor the feast, 
for the celebration of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament's 100th 
anniversary. May this magnificent cultural event continue to flourish 
for many years to come.

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