PALCUS sponsored its Third Meeting of Portuguese-American Elected Officials in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Portugal in the United States and the Minister of Foreign Affairs through the Secretary of the Portuguese Communities on June 10, 2015. Elected and appointed officials at federal, state and local levels traveled from across the nation to meet in Washington, D.C. to share their insights and experiences through formal meetings and informal networking opportunities. The theme of the event was "Voices and Experiences of Those Who Serve as Elected."

The first part of the event took place at the White House in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the Indian Treaty Room where the featured speakers were Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and David Simas, a policy advisor to President Obama, both Portuguese-Americans from Massachusetts. Secretary Moniz spoke compellingly about the President's energy strategy,

The event moved onto the U.S. Capitol where a forum hosted by Congressmen Jim Costa (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA) and David Valad?o (R-CA) was moderated by PALCUS Chairman of the Board, Fernando Rosa. A new co-chair of the Portuguese-American Caucus, Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY) was introduced.

The spirit of trans-Atlantic collaboration was clearly communicated by the presence and remarks of Secretary of the Communities Abroad Jos? Ces?rio, Ambassador of Portugal Nuno Brito, Deputado Jo?o Mota Amaral and several members of the Portuguese Parliament. Ambassador Brito discussed the significant history and ongoing connection between Portugal and the United States while Secretary Ces?rio remarked that this meeting was a celebration of the Day of Portugal in a different way.

Approximately 30 elected officials introduced themselves identifying their office and offering brief insights into their experience as Portuguese-Americans in public service. Participating were Congressman, State Senators, State Representatives, Mayors and City Council Members representing Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, California, and Washington, D.C.

This meeting was an opportunity to discuss various issues of importance to the Portuguese-American community and to US-Portugal relations, including:

• The efforts to maintain the Lajes Air Force Base
• Reopening of the Synagogue in the Azores
• The challenges faced by a female Portuguese-American to get elected to the state assembly
• The experience of advancing from a Mayor to Senator
• The impact of the support of state legislatures on Portuguese language education
• The need to reach out to and encourage other Portuguese-Americans to public service.

After the meeting, attendees celebrated the Day of Portugal at the residence of Ambassador Nuno Brito which included additional guests from across the country.

Luis Matos, the first native Portuguese Associate Justice of the RI Superior Count, was recognized and decorated by the Portuguese government with the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.

Related News Articles

50 pol?ticos re?nem-se em Washington para encontro de luso-americanos eleitos

Pol?ticos luso-descendentes reuniram-se com dirigentes na Casa Branca