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The Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States
Serving our Community for 29 Years!
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#SupportOurElders Campaign
Sponsor meals to be delivered directly to seniors isolated because of COVID-19 - only $12 per meal!
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May 2020
LUS
US Newsletter
The Online Newsletter of PALCUS
In this issue......
PALCUS News
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PALCUS National Scholarship Applications STILL OPEN!
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PALCUS' Chair Angela Simoes' new book "Was That You?" to fund the
Alexandre Antonio da Costa Simoes Memorial Scholarship
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PALCUS Director Daniel Da Ponte appointed to Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Board of Directors
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#SupportPortugueseBusiness Campaign
- #PortugueseHeroes Campaign
- #SupportOurElders Campaign
- PALCUS 2020 Congressional Reception and Meetings on the Hill
- PALCUS Make Portuguese Count™ Campaign UPDATE
- PALCUS Member Spotlight: Antonio Amaral
- PALCUS Member Spotlight: Zachery Ramos Awarded Ambassador Award
- PALCUS Member Spotlight: Ricardo Vasconcelos
- PALCUS Member Spotlight: Richard Tibbetts
Embassy Row
- Embassy of Portugal in Washington DC: SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC AT THE WASHINGTON, DC CONSULAR SECTION REMAINS SUSPENDED
- Embaixada dos EUA em Portugal: Information for U.S. citizens in Portugal
Gateway Featured Business
Community News:
- FLAD's 35th Anniversary
- Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa
- The Journey Around the World in 200 Messages
- AICEP WEBINARS
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PALCUS National Scholarship Applications STILL
OPEN!
PALCUS is pleased to announce that the 2020 application cycle for the PALCUS National Scholarships is now open.
The program was established by the Rosa Family in 2012 and is maintained by donations by Marc F. Rosa with matching funds from Merrill Lynch and other donors. This year the Alexandre António DaCosta Simões Memorial Scholarship was also added.
To be eligible, students must be a
current college undergraduate (at least freshman) or graduate student in an approved program of study. For more about eligibility and procedures, please visit:
www.palcus.org/scholarship
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PALCUS' Chair Angela Simoes' new book "Was That You?" to fund the Alexandre Antonio da Costa Simoes Memorial Scholarship
PALCUS Chair Angela Simoes and her husband lost their 9-month-old son, Alexandre, suddenly and unexpectedly in February of 2019. Since then, the Simoes family has received an outpouring of support from the community. One of the biggest gestures of support has been the establishment and funding of the Alexandre Antonio da Costa Simoes Memorial Scholarship with PALCUS. This scholarship has been 100% funded by community donations, and currently totals more than $20,000.
To cont
inue funding this scholarship, Angela has authored a book about the signs one receives from a loved one who is in Heaven. The book titled "Was that you?" has been published on May 3, Alexandre's birthday and also International Bereaved Mother's Day, and will be available on Amazon only. The proceeds from this book will fund the scholarship in Alexandre's memory.
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PALCUS Director Daniel Da Ponte appointed to Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Board of Directors
PALCUS Director Daniel Da Ponte, the founder and managing principal of Axis Advisors, LLC and Axis Risk Management, has been appointed to the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Board of Directors, the non-profit health plan founded to serve Rhode Island's at-risk population.
According to a press release, Ponte, a former state senator, joined the 17-member board to help shape Neighborhood's long-term initiatives to ensure everyone in Rhode Island has access to cost-effective, high-quality health care.
Congratulations Daniel!
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#SupportPortugueseBusiness Campaign
Restaurants selling takeout or gift certificates?
Online stores selling merchandise or gift certificates?
Artists selling prints or artwork online?
Musicians holding livestream concerts?
Any Portuguese business that is open and selling a product or service during this time of lockdown, please email your details to us at
palcus@palcus.org and we will share with our nationwide community! We have to help each other get through this, and we WILL get through this!
#SupportPortugueseBusiness
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#PortugueseHeroes Campaign
PALCUS
recognizes all Portuguese Americans working on the front lines, in many different essential service roles. We can't do this without you! Thank you! Obrigado! You are our
#PortugueseHeroes
!
If you know a #PortugueseHero send us a private message or email palcus@palcus.org
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#SupportOurEldersCampaign
We have partnered with several Portuguese-American organizations who are already doing amazing work to help our elders, and we want to support these efforts. Below are several ways you can help, including:
- Sending cards and messages of support
- Sponsoring a meal (or meals) for the elderly
- Donating a device to enable video chats
- Delivering activity sheets to the elderly
Join us and help support these organizations who are supporting our elders
!!
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PALCUS 2020 Congressional Reception
March 11, 2020, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
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PALCUS Directors with H.E. Domigos Fezas Vital, Ambassador of Portugal
(L-R): Katherine Soares, Vice-Chair (NJ), Ambassador Fezas Vital, Angela Simoes, Chair (CA), Paul do Forno (OH), Treasurer
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PALCUS Government Relations in Action
Members of Congress, Ambassador of Portugal Domingos Fezas Vital, PALCUS Directors and members and community leaders assembled for the Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill held regularly following the swearing of each new Congress. The event was hosted by Congressman Jim Costa (D, CA-16) on behalf of the caucus and sponsored by Anchor Construction, Potomac Concrete and Fort Myer Construction.
Speakers included Ambassador of Portugal Domingos Fezas Vital, Portuguese-American Congressional Caucus Co-Chair Congressmen Jim Costa (D, CA-16) and PALCUS Chair Angela Simoes. Vice-Chair Katherine Soares served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
Topics of discussion included Portugal-US Bilateral Relations, the Make Portuguese Count™ in the 2020 Census Campaign and the important role of PALCUS as the national advocacy organization in the Portuguese-American community.
PALCUS Government Relations in Action
Members of Congress, Ambassador of Portugal Domingos Fezas Vital, PALCUS Directors and members and community leaders assembled for the Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill held regularly following the swearing of each new Congress. The event was hosted by Congressman Jim Costa (D, CA-16) on behalf of the caucus and sponsored by Anchor Construction, Potomac Concrete and Fort Myer Construction.
Speakers included Ambassador of Portugal Domingos Fezas Vital, Portuguese-American Congressional Caucus Co-Chair Congressmen Jim Costa (D, CA-16) and PALCUS Chair Angela Simoes. Vice-Chair Katherine Soares served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
Topics of discussion included Portugal-US Bilateral Relations, the Make Portuguese Count™ in the 2020 Census Campaign and the important role of PALCUS as the national advocacy organization in the Portuguese-American community.
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Attendees of the 2020 PALCUS Congressional Reception.
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Congressional Portuguese Caucus Lapel Pin .
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PALCUS Chair Angela Simoes and PALCUS Vice-Chair Katherine Soares
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Ambassador Domingos Fezas Vital
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Rep. Jim Costa (D, CA-16)
House Caucus Co-Chair.
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PALCUS gratefully acknowledges the Sponsors of the Congressional Reception
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Meetings on the Hill: March 11 & 12
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PALCUS Directors stayed on the Hill for an additional day to educate and inform
congressional leaders about issues of most concern to the Portuguese-American community
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Meetings were held with the following offices:
- Rep. Lori Trahan (MA)
- Rep. Donald Payne (NJ)
- Rep. Jim Costa (CA)
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)
- Rep. Joe Kennedy (MA)
- Sen. Jack Reed (RI)
- Sen. Patrick Toomey (PA)
- Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY)
Topics of discussion included:
I.
Portuguese Language - Importance and Impact
a.
STARtalk Funding
b.
US Application to CPLP
c.
US Identifies Portuguese as a Strategic Langauge for National Security
d.
Portuguese is 4th most spoken language globally, and 5th most used language online
II.
June as National Portuguese Heritage Month
III.
Update on the Portuguese Community: 2019 PALCUS Index Survey
A.
Demographics and Community Concerns
B.
High Citizenship Rate: 91.2%
C.
76.7% of respondents vote regularly in U.S. elections - 20 points higher than national average (confirmed by other studies)
IV.
Make Portuguese Count™ in the 2020 Census Campaign: April 1, 2020
A.
National Complete Count Committee established with the support of the U.S. Census Bureau
B.
Promoting participation in 2020 Census by U.S. residents of Portuguese ancestry with the support of the Embassy of Portugal
C.
National Community Engagement:
a.
76 Captains
b.
233 Affiliated Organizations
c.
211 Events
d.
500K
Views and Engagements on Social Media
V.
Requests:
A.
Support to reinstate STARtalk funding for Portuguese language education
B.
PALITICUS Podcast Interview
C.
Support for Portuguese National Heritage Month
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PALCUS Treasurer Paul do Forno, PALCUS Vice-Chair Katherine Soares, Rep. Lori Trahan (MA) and PALCUS Chair Angela Simoes
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Rep. Lori Trahan wearing her Congressional Portuguese Caucus Lapel Pin.
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PALCUS Vice-Chair Katherine Soares, Rep. Joe Kennedy (MA) and PALCUS Treasurer Paul do Forno
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Make Portuguese Count™
in the 2020 U.S. Census
U.S. Census has started and continues
in spite of the
COVID-19 Virus precautions.
Self-response is easy with NO contact!
88,200,000 Households have responded so far!
Have you completed yours yet?
You can answer the 2020 Census in 3 ways:
Watch the tutorial video here
in Portuguese!
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NEW! Make Portuguese Count in the 2020 Census Tutorial Video:
"Como completar o Censo 2020 Video em Português"
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2. BY PHONE: TOLL Free from 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. / 7 days a week
844-330-2020 (In English)
844-474-2020 (Em Português)
3. BY MAIL: Using the paper form received in the mail. No stamp needed.
All forms of self-response will be accepted until October 31, 2020.
however if you do not respond by May 28th, a Census Taker will come to your residence to interview you in person. Official Census Takers have photo IDs.
Be sure to write or say "Portuguese" under the Race/Origin Question!
OOPS!
Did you respond to the 2020 Census but did not
write "Portuguese" for your origins?
No worries! You get a "Do Over!"
Follow these directions:
- Go to: www.my2020census.gov
- Select: "I do not have a code" option.
- Complete the ENTIRE form again for EVERYONE in your household.
- Remember to write "Portuguese" this time under any race(s) you select.
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PALCUS Make Portuguese Count™ Campaign UPDATE
PALCUS Make Portuguese Count™ by the Numbers (so far!).......
- MPC Affiliated Organizations: 234
- Has YOUR organization registered? Register Here
- MPC Captains Nationwide: 77 Meet Our Captains Here
- Events Attended: 210 (May, 2019 - March, 2020)
- Campaign Buttons: 15,500
- Printed Materials Distributed: 40,000
Would your club, organization, school, church or business like to help spread the word with information and printed materials?
Contact Marie Fraley directly to put you in contact with a Captain in your area! marie.fraley@palcus.org
Watch for our Special Make Portuguese Count™ Newsletter dedicated to all the news about our participation as a community in the 2020 Census.
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Upcoming!
Day of Portugal Added to "Stats for Stories"
PALCUS Make Portuguese Count is proud to announce that we have obtained approval to include the
DAY OF PORTUGAL celebration in the
U.S. Census "Stats for Stories" bulletin.
This is the first for our community and part of our work to ensure that the Portuguese receive recognition for our culture, language, traditions, and contribution to American society as we continue to
#MakePortugueseCount beyond the 2020 Census!
Watch for it in June!
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Parents and teachers! #MakePortugueseCount Coloring Activity!
Here's a fun activity to educate kids about the 2020 Census and participate, too. Just download the graphic, print, color, scan and send to palcus@palcus.org with name, state and grade. We'll post to our Make Portuguese Count Facebook page.
Portuguese Translation: Silvia Oliveira, Ph.D.,
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Make Portuguese Count™ in made possible by the generous support of:
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Antonio Amaral
Despite the pandemic, our graduates are still being recognized and honored by the Portuguese community.
The Antonio Amaral Foundation (Fundação António Amaral) in Palm Coast, Florida, announced that they will hold their 2020 Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Sunday, May 24 at 3pm.
The Amaral familiy, who manage the Foundation, has decided to forego the usual program that includes a recreational picnic and activities and only have a simple award ceremony this year. Only Scholarship recipients and their parents or guardians will be present at the event along with members of the Amaral Family.
"Since those that graduated this year weren't given the opportunity to have a traditional graduation ceremony, we decided to give them this small, happy moment to help celebrate their success," said the Foundation's president, António Amaral.
14 students of Portuguese descent who are Florida high school seniors will be awarded college scholarships.
A spokesperson for the Foundation has stated that all guidelines stipulated by local authorities will be respected and maintained, including the use of facemasks as well as social distancing measures.
Since its inception, The António Amaral Foundation has given out $279,000 in scholarships.
PALCUS congratulates Antonio Amaral, The Amaral Foundation and the 2020 scholarship recipients!
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Zachery Ramos Awarded Ambassador Award
Zachery Ramos has been awarded the AMBASSADOR AWARD from the United Nations Association for his work in California. Zachery is actively involved in so many initiatives that benefit the community. In addition to being a PALCUS member, he is the 2019 Young Portuguese American Leadership "Promessa" Awardee and a Make Portuguese Count Captain for northern California.
Congratulations Zachery!!
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Ricardo Vasconcelos
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PALCUS Member Ricardo Vasconcelos, Ph.D. (UCSB, 2010) is being promoted to full professor of Portuguese and Brazilian literature and culture, as well as Portuguese language, at San Diego State University. His areas of research and teaching include 19th to 21st-century Luso-Brazilian poetry and prose; representations of national identity in Luso-Brazilian cinema and music; textual scholarship; the use of multimedia in foreign language learning; program development. He is the author of Campo de relâmpagos - Leituras do excesso na poesia de Luís Miguel Nava, among other publications. He is currently researching on topics of Luso-Brazilian Modernism, anthologies of 20th-century poetry, and the redescription of Portuguese national identity in a time of financial crisis.
Congratulations Ricardo!!
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Richard Tibbetts
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Richard Tibbetts, the first ever recipient of the Alexandre
Antonio
da Costa
Simoes Memorial
Scholarship, has just graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in Policy Studies and Public Relations, and has a new job as a Communications Specialist for the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (CASSE) in Arlington, VA.
Congratulations Richard!!
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SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC AT THE WASHINGTON, DC CONSULAR SECTION REMAINS SUSPENDED
In view of the severe restrictions imposed by the Washington DC Authorities to contain the pandemic of COVID-19, as well as the instructions issued by the Deputy Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities, the service for the public at the Washington Consular Section remains suspended until further notice.
We also remember that all existing appointments will be canceled, seeking to restore existing appointments as soon as it is possible to ensure public service again.
During the period of closure to the public, the Washington Consular Section will only ensure emergency response, as long as they are duly proven. These should be reported to the Consular Section's email address or to the Consular Emergency Office.
Emergency situations include the need of issuing a Single Travel Permit (TVU) or temporary passport, and support for the consequences of serious cases of traffic accidents or the like that may require the transfer of mortal victims and require the issuing of documents.
The issuing of travel or identification documents, the delivery of them, as well as civil registration and notary acts, are not considered emergencies, given the general confinement in force.
We appeal to everyone's understanding, bearing in mind that the measure is aimed at the general protection of the community.
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To U.S. citizens in Portugal
The American Citizen Services Unit is providing limited passport services and emergency assistance to U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Portugal.
Limited U.S. passport services are being offered by
appointment only. Applications for normal renewals should be mailed. For more information visit
passport services.
Please note that passport production in the United States has been suspended. Delivery of your passport may be significantly delayed. However, we can provide a temporary, emergency passport for imminent travel or emergent situations.
In an emergency involving a U.S. citizen, contact the U.S. Embassy during business hours at:
conslisbon@state.gov and after business hours at: (+351) 21-727-3300.
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GATEWAY FEATURED BUSINESS
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Backyard BBQ of South Plainfield, NJ
Backyard BBQ is a restaurant offering delicious barbecue in the Portuguese style just as if in your own backyard.
The restaurant is located at
144 Maple Avenue in
South Plainfield, New Jersey
To learn more about Backyard BBQ,
visit their Facebook
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To look for more Portuguese businesses and organizations throughout the US (or add your own), please visit the Gateway
online.
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FLAD: 35 anos de história
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PALCUS congratulates
Fundação Luso-Americana
on 35 years of support to the Portuguese-American community in the United States! Parabéns!
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Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa
Comemora-se a 5 de maio de 2020 o primeiro Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa.
Assista ao evento comemorativo do Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa, organizado pelo Camões, I.P., em parceria com a CPLP, a UNESCO e a ONU News.
O evento inclui testemunhos do secretário-geral das Nações Unidas, António Guterres, do Presidente da República de Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, do primeiro-ministro português, António Costa, do chefe de estado de Cabo Verde e presidente em exercício da CPLP, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, do secretário-executivo da CPLP, Francisco Ribeiro Telles, e de Sampaio da Nóvoa, representante de Portugal na UNESCO.
Testemunhos de escritores, desportistas, cientistas, artistas e demais individualidades gravados em vídeo serão igualmente divulgados, procurando dar expressão à dimensão pluricêntrica da Língua Portuguesa.
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| Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa - 5 MAIO 2020 |
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The Journey Around the World in 200 Messages
Fernão de Magalhães, also known simply as Magellan, was a Portuguese explorer who organized an expedition to the East Indies, resulting in the first circumnavigation of the Earth, between 1519-1522. Having died in 1521, this expedition was completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano the following year.
We invite specially the little ones, but also all the curious people to visit "The Journey Around the World in 200 Messages":
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AICEP WEBINARS
AICEP has organized a webinar on e-commerce in the United States of America on May 19 at 4 pm, with e-commerce specialist Sam Natapoff.
WEBINAR E-COMMERCE - EUA
Another great webinar on May 21 at 4 pm, with Valdemar Pires, partner of AD Store.
Individuals will need a NIF number to register. If you are based in the US but work for a Portuguese company, you can use the company's NIF to register.
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TELL US YOUR NEWS!!
We would love to hear what you have been up to. Events, Promotions, Graduations, Awards, Lectures or News the community should know about.
Send us an email to be featured in our newsletter:
palcus@palcus.org
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Are you a PALCUS member yet?
We are stronger together!
I
f you agree with the work undertaken by PALCUS to build the social, cultural and political capital of our community, then please join us and become a member today!
Strong membership participation means a stronger voice in the national Portuguese-American agenda. In order to advance Portuguese language education, increase presence in the congressional caucuses, and provide economic opportunities, the collective voice of thousands is needed!
In addition, PALCUS is a member-driven non-profit organization that depends on membership dues and fundraising events to fund its operations.
Members of the all-volunteer board of directors donate their time and personal funds for travel, lodging and tickets to attend networking events and planning sessions so our administrative costs are relatively low but nonetheless critical to doing business on a daily basis.
There are membership categories to suit every budget and level of interest. Please click on our membership webpage and join our voice today!
Questions? Contact
Graci for more information!
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Did you enjoy this newsletter? Do you know about all the programs PALCUS offers our community? Please visit our website and become a member today!
We can't do what we do without your support!
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Jobs for Portuguese Speakers
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Contact Information
Phone: 202-466-4664
9255 Center St., Suite 404
Manassas, VA 20110
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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 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.
PALCUS has earned the
2019 Gold GuideStarUSA Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency. Visit our profile
HERE
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Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Jim Costa (D, CA-16), PALCUS Vice-Chair Katherine Soares, Ambassador Fezas Vital, Florentino Gregorio, PALCUS Chair Angela Simoes and PALCUS Treasurer Paul do Forno
