LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 3rd Annual Portugal Day Cele-
bration on June 10, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions 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 commem-
orate the 3rd Annual Portugal Day Celebration to be held on Tuesday,
June 10, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Every 10th day of June, the Portuguese celebrate their
national holiday known as Dia de Portugal in the native tongue; the rest
of the world recognizes this momentous occasion as Portugal Day; and
WHEREAS, This date commemorates the death of Luis de Camoes, a signif-
icant 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 other countries such as India,
Brazil, Canada, and other European nations also celebrate Portugal Day;
and
WHEREAS, The Lusiadas is an epic poem which depicts the achievements
of the Portuguese in world explorations during the 16th Century; Portu-
gal 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 is
able to aptly represent the person he was; 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; three generations and 60 years of Spanish rule after,
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 3rd Annual Portugal Day Celebration on June 10, 2014.