The Online Newsletter of PALCUS

 

Our youngest podcast guest, Rep. Dylan A. Fernandes, represents the Dukes, Barnstable and Nantucket district in the Massachusetts state legislature. Elected in 2016 as a Democrat, he talks about how he feels there is a misconception about the district he represents. 

The fourth generation Falmouth resident speaks about how his family grew up in poverty and that he was the first in his large Portuguese family to graduate from college. Fernandes became involved in politics right out of college and said his drive was always to give back to the community to help those less fortunate. He talks about the large Portuguese community in his district and how he believes that they are looking for new Portuguese leadership. His advice is to get involved and not let anyone tell you that you can't do it. He feels that there's a need for Portuguese leadership in our communities and says that he is always available to talk to anyone interested in getting involved.

Listen to the entire interview: https://soundcloud.com/paliticus/paliticus-012-rep-dylan-fernandes

     PALITICUS now available on YouTube

Directors of the PALCUS Board met in San Francisco to develop a strategic plan for 2018-2020. Discussions focused on a "roadmap" for enhancing community, government and international relations as well as improved member engagement with the goal of serving the community better.  PALCUS is excited about its plans for upcoming events and initiatives!

Consul General Maria João Lopes Cardoso graciously welcomed members of the Portuguese community to a mixer sponsored by PALCUS at the consul general's  residence in February. Over 60 PALCUS members and guests met, mingled and networked while enjoying Portuguese wine donated by St. Jorge Winery in Acampo and delicacies catered by Luisa's Catering of Burlingame, CA.   Proceeds from the event benefited the PALCUS Internship Program.

The Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Domingos Fezas Vital, hosted at his residence a delegation from the Portugal-US Chamber of Commerce led by its president, Rodolfo Lavrador, general manager of CGD New York. The evening began with a presentation by Professor Athayde Marques of Católica University in Lisbon regarding the Portuguese economy. A networking event followed attended by members of the Congressional Portuguese-American Caucus: Congressmen Jim Costa, David Valadão and Deven Nunes. Among other attendees were representatives Isabel Gil of Católica University, Manuel Miranda of AICEP and PALCUS former chair and chamber member Fernando G Rosa.

PALCUS was recognized with this Special Award because of its advocacy on behalf of the Portuguese-American community at a national level.  Directors Marie Fraley (RI) and Fernando Rosa (CT) were present to receive the award on behalf of Chairwoman Angela Simões and the PALCUS Board of Directors and membership.

Pictured at left are PALCUS Directors Katherine Soares (Vice-Chair, NY) and Marie Fraley (Secretary, RI) with Agio Pereira, Deputy to the Prime Minister for the Delimitation of Boundaries, and treaty signatory for Timor-Leste at the reception following the signing.

A special report on PALCUS' role in the Timor-Leste story will be forthcoming.

View on YouTube

A Lingua e os Misterios do Sotaque

Portuguese President selects Onésimo Almeida to preside over Day of Portugal celebration

The Office of the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa  has announced that the Day of Portugal will be officially celebrated, on June 10, in the Azores and the United States.

"These celebrations will take place in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, and in Boston, in the United States of America," the announcement said.

In the same note the President appointed Onésimo Teotónio de Almeida to preside over the celebrations:  "The President of the Republic decided to appoint Prof. Doctor Onésimo Teotónio de Almeida to preside over the celebrations of the Day of Portugal, Camões and Portuguese Communities this year," he announced.

PALCUS congratulates our Charter Member and former Director on this much deserved honor.

Read the O Jornal article here

Contact Information

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 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 under the IRS tax code and  incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia.  Donations are tax deductible to extent allowed by law and will be acknowledged.