Bill Text: NJ AJR196 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates June 10 of each year as "Portugal Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-06-07 - Approved P.L.2019, JR-14. [AJR196 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR196-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-363 &
36:2-364
A Joint Resolution designating June 10 of each year as "Portugal Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, The people of Portugal and their culture have influenced the world for centuries, from their pioneering voyages to the "New World" to their significant contributions to the arts and humanities; and
Whereas, Portuguese immigrants began arriving in the United States in relatively large numbers beginning in 1870; and
Whereas, Among the great Portuguese-Americans who have contributed significantly to this country are composer John Philip Sousa, best known for composing "The Stars and Stripes Forever," and poet Emma Lazarus, best known for her sonnet about the Statue of Liberty; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, specifically in the city of Newark, a great influx of Portuguese immigrants arrived in the latter part of the 1950s and settled in the Ironbound section of the city; and
Whereas, Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work, these pioneering Portuguese immigrants established many businesses in Newark, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and more, many of which are still Portuguese-owned businesses today; and
Whereas, The United States Census Bureau estimates that over 76,000 citizens in New Jersey identify as Portuguese and Portuguese-American; and
Whereas, Given the "vitality, dynamism and connection to the roots of the Portuguese community," Portugal established a Consulate General of Portugal in Newark, which serves as a resource and a link between Portugal and the Portuguese communities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware; and
Whereas, Portuguese national literary icon Luís Vaz de Camões wrote Portugal's national epic poem, Os Lusíadas, celebrating the 15th-century Portuguese explorations that brought fame and fortune to the country; and
Whereas, Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas, translated as "Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities," commemorates the death of Luís Vaz de Camões on June 10, 1580; and
Whereas, In Newark, the "Portugal Day Festival," which celebrates the Portuguese people, language, and culture, has been held on the weekend closest to June 10 every year since 1979 and attracts over 750,000 people to Ferry Street in the Ironbound section of the city; and
Whereas, It is appropriate that June 10 of each year be designated as "Portugal Day" in the State of New Jersey to celebrate the Portuguese people and to acknowledge their historical and cultural significance to this State and the United States of America; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. June 10 of each year is designated as "Portugal Day" in the State of New Jersey to celebrate the Portuguese people, language, and culture and to acknowledge their significance to the State of New Jersey and the United States of America.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials, and all citizens of this State, to observe "Portugal Day" with appropriate programs and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates June 10 of each year as "Portugal Day" in New Jersey to celebrate the Portuguese people, language, and culture and to acknowledge their significance to this State and the United States of America.
Portuguese national literary icon Luís Vaz de Camões wrote Portugal's national epic poem, Os Lusíadas, celebrating the 15th-century Portuguese explorations that brought fame and fortune to the country. Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas, translated as "Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities," commemorates the death of Luís Vaz de Camões on June 10, 1580.
In New Jersey, specifically in the city of Newark, a great influx of Portuguese immigrants arrived in the latter part of the 1950s. Many of those new immigrants settled in the Ironbound neighborhood. The United States Census Bureau estimates that over 76,000 citizens in New Jersey identify as Portuguese and Portuguese-American.
Because of the significant Portuguese presence and
influence in New Jersey, events already exist which acknowledge the historical
and cultural significance of June 10. In Newark, the "Portugal Day Festival,"
which celebrates the Portuguese people, language, and culture, has been held on
the weekend closest to June 10 every year since 1979 and attracts over 750,000
people to Ferry Street in the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark.
Designates June 10 of each year as "Portugal Day" in New Jersey.
