My Memoirs - Citizen of the World

My family received the “Family of the Year” award from the
Portuguese Continental Union of the USA in 1988 for our
involvement in civic organizations and activities. There was a
banquet at the former Motor Lodge on Metacom Avenue in Bristol.
I invited my good friend, Dr. Manuel da Silva, to be the main
speaker for the ceremony. It was such an honor to see all my
family and friends present.
I was also chosen to be the advisor to the Portuguese Embassy and
the Diplomatic Corps from 1992 to 1996. I was asked to be the
Moderator/Facilitator for the Portuguese-American Congresses II
and III, held at Roger Williams University, which was attended by
members of 78 Portuguese Clubs and Associations and had the
presence of the major State of Rhode Island Office holders,
including the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and
Treasurer. In attendance were also the Portuguese Consul in
Rhode Island, João Luis Larangeira de Abreu, and the
Ambassador in Washington D.C., Francisco Knopfli. The
congresses were so successful that we were able to build a very
accessible bridge between the Portuguese community and the R.I.
State Government. It certainly helped that the smallest State in the
Union happened to have the largest percentage of Representatives
and Senators from Portuguese extraction than any other State
Legislator Chambers.
Many subjects were discussed and debated concerning the
problems the Portuguese immigrant community faced in the United
States, such as dual citizenship, preparation of official documents,
passports, visas, schooling, scholarships, student exchange
programs, requirements for the children of immigrants to enroll in
higher education in Portugal, importation and exportation of goods,
the participation of these associations on the American mainstream
society (such as in the political field), attendance at School
Committee meetings, City and Town meetings, arranging classes
to prepare the Portuguese community for citizenship exams, etc.
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