2017 -- S 0954

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LC002859

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND THANKING AUGUSTO JOSE ALMEIDA PESSOA FOR HIS MANY

CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF RHODE ISLAND DAY OF PORTUGAL AND THE

PORTUGUESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators DaPonte, Satchell, Felag, Algiere, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: June 08, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, June 17, 2017, is the 40th Anniversary of the Day of Portugal in Rhode

Island. It is a day when we reflect upon and celebrate the significant contributions the Portuguese-

American community has made to the cultural and economic well-being of the State of Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Augusto Jose Almeida Pessoa was born on April 18, 1947, in

Mangualde, Beira Alta, Portugal. He is married to Genoveva Ramos and has two children,

Nicholas and Jennifer; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Pessoa immigrated to the United States in 1972 and became an

American citizen on March 6, 1995. He has been a distinguished journalist for more than forty

years, working as a reporter for the Pawtucket Times and Television Channel 20, as a

correspondent for Radio Station WRCP, as a Photographic Reporter, and as a correspondent of

Radio Voice of "Mangualde." As a reporter or citizen, Mr. Pessoa has covered almost all of the

celebrations, commemorations, and the important political, social and cultural events that have

occurred within the Portuguese-American community in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Pessoa has had the honor of reporting on numerous visits from high-

level officials to Rhode Island and, specifically, the Portuguese-American community. He

reported on the visit to Rhode Island and Massachusetts of the President of the Portuguese

Republic, Dr. Mario Soares, the visit by President Clinton to the Portuguese Social Club in Rhode

Island, the visit by His Excellency, the Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities, Dr.

Luis de Sousa Macedo, to Rhode Island, the visit by His Excellency, the Ambassador of Portugal

in Washington, Dr. Francisco Knopfli, to Rhode island, the visit by His Excellency , the Secretary

of State of the Portuguese Communities, Eng. Jose Lello, to Rhode Island, the visit by Her

Excellency the Secretary of State of Education, Dr. Ana Benevente, to Rhode Island, and the visit

by His excellency, the Prime Minister, to Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Pessoa has been a tireless and faithful supporter of and contributor to

the Rhode Island Day of Portugal and the Portuguese Community in Rhode Island. He has served

as President of the "Day of Portugal" Commemorations in 1982 and 2003, is the founder of the

"Miss Day of Portugal" Rhode Island Contest, was Vice-President of the "Day of Portugal"

Commemorations in 1988, founder and President of the Luso-American Sports Car, President of

the "Mangualdenses", United States, 1980 and 1984, Vice-President of the "Mangualdenses",

United States, 1988, Director of the Lusitana Youth Club, Cumberland, member of the

Portuguese Social Club in Pawtucket, and a member of the Holy Spirit of St. Anthony Church in

Pawtucket. He has also served with distinction with the Portuguese-American Citizens

Committee, the Portuguese Army (Commission Guine-Bissau), and the Sagres Naval Academy;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby honors and thanks Augusto Jose Almeida Pessoa for his many contributions in support of

Rhode Island Day of Portugal and the Portuguese-American community in Rhode Island; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Augusto Jose Almeida Pessoa.

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LC002859

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