Bill Text: NY J01722 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the observance of Portugal Day in the State of New York, on June 10, 2019

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-04 - ADOPTED [J01722 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01722-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1722

BY: Senator KAPLAN

        COMMEMORATING  the  observance  of Portugal Day in
        the State of New York, on June 10, 2019

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in  keeping  with
its  time-honored  traditions,  to  recognize  and  pay tribute to those
events which foster ethnic pride and enhance  the  profile  of  cultural
diversity  which  strengthens  the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the observance of Portugal Day in the State of New York,  on
June 10, 2019; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Annual  New York State Portugal Day Parade, hosted by
the New York Portuguese American Leadership Conference (NYPALC), will be
held in Mineola on Sunday, June 9, 2019; this year's  Grand  Marshal  is
Portuguese-American  Paul  Pereira,  Deputy  Mayor  of  the  Village  of
Mineola; and

  WHEREAS, This auspicious Parade brings together over 10,000  members
of  the New York Portuguese-American community to enjoy a celebration of
culture and national pride in the Village of Mineola; and

  WHEREAS, Every 10th day of June, the  Portuguese  observes  Portugal
Day,  their  national  holiday known as Dia de Portugal which celebrates
the history and heritage of Portuguese people throughout the world; and

  WHEREAS, This date also commemorates the death of Luis de Camoes,  a
significant  figure in the history of Portugal; he is best known for his
work on Lusiadas, the national epic poem of  Portugal  which  celebrates
the nation's successes and rich history; and

  WHEREAS,  Although this holiday is only celebrated officially in the
homeland, Portuguese citizens from  countries  such  as  India,  Brazil,
Canada, and other European nations also celebrate Portugal Day; and

  WHEREAS,  The Lusiadas is an epic poem that depicts the achievements
of the  Portuguese  in  world  explorations  during  the  16th  Century;
Portugal  played  an  important  role  in the discovery of the new world
during this century and their accomplishments have definitely  put  this
European country on the map; and

  WHEREAS,  In  fact,  legendary voyager Ferdinand Magellan hails from
this proud nation; Camoes' poem captures the essence of this golden  era
for  the Portuguese as it remains as one of the finest and most relevant
works in Portuguese literature; and

  WHEREAS, A monument built in memory of Luis de Camoes stands proudly
in one of the busiest streets of beautiful Lisbon, the country's capital
city; it immortalizes the character  of  Portugal's  national  poet  and
appropriately represent who he was as a person; and

  WHEREAS,  Luis  de  Camoes  was known to be an adventurer; among his
many  escapades  include  surviving  a  shipwreck  in  the   region   of
Cochinchina (now known as Vietnam), and losing an eye while in battle in
Ceuta;  legend  has it that in order to save the Lusiadas, Camoes had to
keep  it  afloat  with  one of his hands, while he used his other arm to
swim through the unforgiving waters of the region's seas; and

  WHEREAS, His patriotism and bravery are just a few of the  qualities
Luis de Camoes had that made the nation choose to celebrate Portugal Day
in his honor; and

  WHEREAS,  Portugal  was  conquered  by Spain in the year 1580; it is
quite ironic that the nation lost its independence in the year that  saw
the  death  of  Camoes;  after three generations and 60 years of Spanish
rule, Portugal regained its independence on December 1, 1640; and

  WHEREAS, Since then, the country's national day was established  and
subsequently  celebrated on June 10th; it is because of uncertainties on
Camoes' birth date that Portugal Day was established to commemorate  the
hero's death; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the observance of Portugal Day in the State of New York,  on
June 10, 2019; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to President Isabelle Coelho-Marques,  New  York  Portuguese
American Leadership Conference.