My Memoirs - Citizen of the World

Other Awards Received
• Gold Medal of Merit - Distinguished Services to the
Portuguese Communities by the Portuguese Government,
1991;
• Ten-year Certificate of Service from the United States Air
Force. I am also honored to have received several Outstanding
and Superior Performance Awards from the United States
Government;
• The “Immigrant of the Year Award” by the Portuguese-
Azorean Newspaper, Correio dos Acores - 1994.
The only reason I mention these recognitions is because I strongly
believe that I tried to make a difference through my modest
contributions, and to encourage others to become instruments in
making the world better and to enjoy the life that God has provided
us.
My Involvement in Radio and Television Programs
I have been a panel member on the program, Vóz do Emigrante
(Voice of the Immigrant) Round Table since 1988. The program is
in Portuguese and is one of the more popular programs, broadcast
every Friday from 1 to 2 pm and is repeated on Saturday from 2 to
3 pm. It is moderated by Frank Baptista, who is the director and
owner. The permanent members of the panel for the last 21 years
are Frank Cabral, a very dynamic leader in the Portuguese
community, and me. There are also many invited guest panelists,
including David Simas, who was appointed advisor to President
Barack Obama, Daniel DaPonte, a popular Portuguese-American
State Senator who is now the Rhode Island Finance Committee
Chairman, Alfredo Alves, a very well-known former City
Counselor of Fall River, Graça Matos Femandes, a banker, and
other Portuguese community leaders. Many topics are debated and
discussed, such as politics, education, immigration, social security,
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