SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING AND ACKNOWLEDGING JUNE OF 2026 AS PORTUGUESE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, the official text

S3349 2026 -- S 3349 ======== LC006550 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N PROCLAIMING AND ACKNOWLEDGING JUNE OF 2026 AS PORTUGUESE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND Introduced By: Senators de la Cruz, Rogers, Lawson, Britto, Lauria, DiMario, Pearson, Urso, Burke, and Sosnowski Date Introduced: June 04, 2026 Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration 1 WHEREAS, Rhode Island takes immense pride in its cultural diversity and heritage, and 2 proudly recognizes the significant contributions of the Portuguese American community since 3 colonial times; and 4 WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Day of Portugal advocates for honoring all Portuguese 5 Americans by declaring June as Portuguese American Heritage Month in the State of Rhode 6 Island; and 7 WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans constitute a substantial and vibrant segment of 8 Rhode Island s population, with strong communities in cities including Bristol, East Providence, 9 Cumberland, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Warren, Cranston, West Warwick, Newport, and 10 Providence; and 11 WHEREAS, The contributions of Portuguese Americans to Rhode Island are celebrated 12 annually through cultural events such as the Rhode Island Day of Portugal Heritage Festival and 13 various church and club festivals, showcasing Portuguese culture, music, dance, food, and 14 traditions; and 15 WHEREAS, The Portuguese American community has played a pivotal role in Rhode 16 Island s educational, political, and social advancement, with many leaders and citizens of 17 Portuguese descent serving in public service roles; and 18 WHEREAS, The month of June holds significance, as Portugal s National Day on June 19 10th commemorates the legacy of Luís de Camões, Portugal s national poet, whose works have 1 left an indelible mark on world literature; and 2 WHEREAS, The Portuguese American community in Rhode Island has demonstrated 3 resilience and hard work, and has contributed significantly to various industries such as whaling, 4 fishing, textiles, and jewelry, thereby shaping the State s economic landscape; and 5 WHEREAS, The historic Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Providence, which was 6 founded in 1886 by Portuguese immigrants, stands as the oldest continuously active Portuguese 7 American church in the United States, and symbolizes the enduring legacy of Portuguese 8 immigration to Rhode Island; and 9 WHEREAS, The contributions of early Portuguese Jews, such as Jacob Rodrigues 10 Rivera, Aaron Lopez, and Isaac Touro, are commemorated by landmarks like the historic Touro 11 Synagogue in Newport, which symbolizes religious freedom and tolerance in the United States; 12 and 13 WHEREAS, The Portuguese Discovery Monument at Brenton Point celebrates Portugal s 14 legacy of nautical innovation, honoring Prince Henry s establishment of a nautical school in 15 Sagres Point in 1419 and the development of the Caravel, a vessel that revolutionized maritime 16 exploration; now, therefore be it 17 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims and 18 acknowledges June of 2026 as “Portuguese American Heritage Month” in recognition of the 19 enduring contributions of Portuguese Americans to the State s cultural, economic, and social 20 fabric; and be it further 21 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 22 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Daniel McKee, the Prime Minister of 23 Portugal, the President of Portugal, the Vice-Consulate of Portugal in Providence, and the Rhode 24 Island Day of Portugal nonprofit organization. ======== LC006550 ======== LC006550 - Page 2 of 2