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LUSUS Newsletter
The Online Newsletter of PALCUS
April 2017
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Table of Contents

PALCUS NEWS:
  • 21st Annual Leadership Awards Gala Announcement 
  • PALCUS-YPA Mentorship Program 
  • PALCUS Goes to the Hill 
  • Featured Gateway Business: Morey Cellars

COMMUNITY NEWS:

  • Elizabeth, NJ Portugal Day Kick-off 
  • Luso-American Education Foundation (LAEF) Conference 
  • Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) Gala 
  • Luso-American Veterans Monument 
  • Field Course in the Azores 
  • Asia Society Policy Institute Timor-Leste Independence Luncheon 
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PALCUS NEWS
21st Annual Leadership Awards Gala

 
We are excited to begin announcing the details of our 21st Annual Leadership Awards Gala. This year's Gala will be taking place at the Portuguese-American Community Center in Yonkers, NY on September 23, 2017. PACC Yonkers ( currently led by President David Oliveira) was founded in 1930 and plays an important role in the community. It serves as the home base for many activities, including a soccer team, Portuguese language school, and youth group. To learn more about PACC Yonkers's various initiatives, please visit their website In a statement, newly-elected PALCUS Vice Co-Chair and Gala Chair Katherine Soares stated:

"We are excited to bring the Gala back to the New York area this year. The New York community has grown in diverse ways, demonstrating the evolution of its older and more recognized organizations and associations as well as elevating individuals that have become recognized and trusted leaders of the community. This community has an established history and works hard to maintain relevance and keep the community involved through its constant efforts to involve the younger generations."

To purchase your tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, we encourage you to visit the Gala page or connect with Managing Director, Marie Fraley via e-mail: palcus@palcus.org.

We look forward to seeing you there! 
Mentorship Program 

PALCUS will be teaming up with the Young Portuguese Americans (YPA) Organization of San Jose, California for a mentorship program. This program aims to connect Portuguese-American students and young adults with mentors in their respective
PALCUS Chair Angela  Simões & Jason Amarante, of the Young Portuguese American organization. 
fields of study and/or work. This partnership was formally announced at the 41st Annual Luso-American Education Foundation Conference on March 10th at San Jose State University. Additional details to follow. If you're interesting in participating in the program, please contact us via e-mail to sign up:  palcus@palcus.org .

Connect with the YPA on social media! 

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 
PALCUS Goes to the Hill 

Former PALCUS Chair and Board Member Fernando G. Rosa recently visited Washington, DC. Rosa connected with the Staff of Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, both members of the U.S. Senate's Friends of Portugal. He also met with Portuguese-American Congressmen Devin Nunes (R, CA), Jim Costa (D, CA) and David Valadão (R, CA) to discuss matters important to the community - the status of Lajes Air Force Base (Terceira, Azores) as well as immigration and visa updates. 

Pictured below are Rosa & Valadão (left) and Rosa & Jim Costa (right).

PALCUS Gateway Featured Business - Morey Cellars 

T his month's feat ured business is Morey Cellars of Napa, California. The Morey family's storied history in wine-making and grape-harvesting comes across in the quality of the final product. Morey Cellars hosts events in their tasting room in addition to playing an active role in the community. To learn more about Morey Cellars, visit their website , Facebook or Instagram.

To look for more Portuguese businesses and organizations throughout the US (or add your own), please visit the Gateway online.

Help strengthen PALCUS as we continue working for the community!

Please consider including PALCUS in your giving plans in 2017. Also consider using your United Way donation to benefit your favorite national organization. Each tax- deductible donation will be much appreciated and will be acknowledged.

Muito obrigado!   Click here to donate today !

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COMMUNITY NEWS
Elizabeth, NJ Portugal Day 2017 Kick-Off 

On March 23rd, PALCUS was well-represented at the kick-off event for the Day of Portugal in Elizabeth, NJ. The 8th Annual Wine-Tasting, at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club (PISC), featured catering services provided by Sol-Mar Restaurant of Newark. The highlight of the event was the sashing of this year's Grand Marshals. Consul-General of Portugal in Newark, Dr. Pedro Soares de Oliveira was honored with the title of Honorary Marshal meanwhile Martinho Pereira will serve as Parade Marshal. In addition, Adriano Esteves was honored as a Posthumous Marshal. Pictured above are (from left to right) PALCUS Director Cynthia Marques Russo (NJ), Cristina Pucarinho, Dr. Pedro Soares de Oliveira and PALCUS Vice-Chair Katherine Soares (NY). To learn more about this year's festivities, please visit their website
Luso-American Education Foundation Conference 2017

The 41st Annual Luso-American Educatio n Foundation Conference was re cently held in San José, California. This year's theme was Roots |  Raízes and  took place on the weekend of March 10th & 11th at San José State University. Various sessions were held over the course of the two-day event to spur new ideas and collaboration across the generations. Som e of the highlights included a youth session led by the YPA (Young Portuguese Americans) pictured to the right on the cover of The Portuguese Tribune. In addition, SiPN (Study in Portugal Network) Director Michael Baum led an information session on study abroad opportunities. 

On Saturday evening, the Cultural Dinner was held at the Portuguese American Club (PAC). Members of the local Portuguese community attended as well as representatives of the Portuguese Government, including Dr. Paulo Teves, Regional Director of the Communities from the Azores and Professor Ana Paula Laborinho, President of the  Camões Institute in Lisbon. The evening's honorees included: 
  • Professor Deolinda Adão - Resolution Award 
  • Professor José Luís da Silva - Portuguese Language & Culture Award 
  • Deputy José Cesário - Bridging Our Two Worlds Award 
Consul-General of Portugal in San Francisco, Dr. Nuno Mathias, the evening's keynote speaker, also shared a riveting speech reminding the audience that, "Our language is our collective memory."

To learn more about the Luso-American Education Conference, connect with them on Facebook
MAPS Gala - Saturday, April 29, 2017
On Saturday, April 29, 2017, the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), holds its annual fundraising gala at the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel in Cambridge, MA. MAPS, founded in 1970, provides a wide range of health and human services to Portuguese speakers and the immigrant community of eastern Massachusetts.  The gala serves as the organization's main fundraising event to support community-benefiting initiatives. A number of Portuguese-American area businesses are proud to support MAPS's work. Entertainment will be provided by DNJ Entertainment.  To learn more about MAPS or purchase event tickets, please visit their website or connect with Lucinda Morais via e-mail: lmorais@maps-inc.org or by phone: (617) 864-7600.

Luso-American Veterans Monument 


On Sunday, April 2, 2017, a fundraiser was held in Newark's Ironbound at the Mediterranean  Manor to raise money for the Luso-A merican Veterans Monument . It was well-attended and featured a presentation & performance by Fernando Pereira. Among the attendees were Consul-General Dr. Pedro Soares de Oliveira, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, NJ State Representative Eliana Pintor Marin, and former PALCUS Chair Fernando G. Rosa. The Monument,  dedicated to Portuguese-Americans in the Armed Forces - past, present & future - will be erected in Newark's Peter Francisco Park. To learn more about the organization's various fundraising efforts, please visit their Facebook Page  or  website

Watch a recent report regarding the Monument here.
Summer Field Course in the Azores

The University of the Azores is offering a special course this summer to students of any major. The 3-week, 3-credit course (in English) taught by Professor Erik Zettler will cover the Natural History of the  Azores and be taught at the University's main campus in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel. In addition, s tudents are able to pair the courses alongside others in language or literature, history & culture to fulfill study abroad requirements. The program is taking place in collaboration with the Study in Portugal Network (SiPN). To register or learn more about the course, please visit SiPN's website or connect with Prof. Zettler via e-mail: erik.zettler@nioz.nl

Please visit our website to learn more about additional  study abroad opportunities.  
Above (left to right) are Fernando G. Rosa, Katherine Soares, H.E. Xanana Gusmão, Chief Justice Phillip Rapoza (ret.) of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and MA State Rep. António Cabral.

Other distinguished guests included Massachusetts  State Rep.  Ant ó nio
Cabral; Youseff Mahmoud, Senior Advisor at the International Peace Institute; and Daniel Russel, Diplomat-in-Residence and Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. 

Timor-Leste Independence Luncheon at the Asia Society Policy Institute

On Monday, April 3, 2017, former Chair Fernando G. Rosa and current Vice Chair, Katherine Soares, represented PALCUS at a luncheon at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Manhattan. Community leaders gathered to celebrate the journey of the independence of Timor-Leste, a former colony, known as Portuguese Timor until November 1975. The country's first President and former Prime Minister,  H.E. Xanana Gusm ão, led a discussion regarding the future of the young country and what lies ahead. 

Paid advertisement. Does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by PALCUS.

Getting Your Portuguese Citizenship Service with 25% Discount

Portugal ReConnect is offering PALCUS members* a 25% discount on their service to obtain your Portuguese citizenship. If you didn't have a chance to watch PALCUS' webinar, "Getting Your Portuguese Citizenship: Benefits and Advantages" live, you can still watch it by following  this link. In the webinar, Portugal ReConnect's attorneys guide you through the criteria to help you find out whether you're eligible for the citizenship program.


*PALCUS Member in good standing, who has paid his/her 2015 or 2016 dues

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Newsletter Archive

Read past issues of the LUSUS Newsletter here

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Jobs for Portuguese Speakers
Jobs for Portuguese Speakers

If you want to put your Portuguese language skills to use in your next job, there are many opportunities out there! Visit the  Jobs for Portuguese Speakers Facebook Page to see some job openings.

Contact Information

Email: palcus@palcus.org
Website:  www.palcus.org
Phone: 202-466-4664

9255 Center St., Suite 404
Manassas, VA 20110
 
PALCUS Mission

In order to create a singular voice to advocate  for the Portuguese-American and Luso-American communities at large, the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States Inc. (PALCUS) was founded in 1991  as a 501(c)3 non-partisan, non-profit, organization headquartered in Washington D.C.
 
The PALCUS mission is to address domestic and international concerns of the Portuguese-American Community.
 
The Council conducts an expanding program of educational and public affairs activities on issues of interest to the Portuguese-American community and of salience to the Luso-American Relationship.
 
PALCUS is committed to serving the community through increasingly active government relations efforts, the promotion of a greater awareness of ethnic accomplishments and encouraging stronger ties between Portugal and the United States. In this role PALCUS advances the community professionally, politically and culturally while working to ensure that issues directly affecting our community are addressed through our network of government and community leaders.

PALCUS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia.  Donations are tax deductible to extent allowed by law.

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