A resolution commemorating the Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities, and for other purposes.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 497 A resolution commemorating the Day of Portugal, Camo˜es, and the Portuguese Communities, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 12, 2023 Mr. COSTA (for himself, Mr. VALADAO, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MAGAZINER, and Mr. PETERS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION A resolution commemorating the Day of Portugal, Camo˜es, and the Portuguese Communities, and for other purposes. Whereas Luı´s Vaz de Camo˜es is considered one of Portugal’s greatest literary figures, and his epic poem ‘‘The Lusiads’’ (‘‘Os Lusı´adas’’, in Portuguese) is widely re- garded as a symbol of Portuguese culture and identity; Whereas Camo˜es is revered for his transformational influence on the Portuguese language, similar to that of Shake- speare in the English language; Whereas the tenth of June commemorates the death of the poet Luı´s Vaz de Camo˜es in 1580; Whereas every tenth of June the Portuguese celebrate their national holiday known as the Day of Portugal, Camo˜es, VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:06 Jun 13, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR497.IH HR497 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 497 IH and the Portuguese Communities (known colloquially as the Day of Portugal, or Portugal Day); Whereas the Day of Portugal has been celebrated for decades in Portuguese-American communities throughout the United States, including those in California, Massachu- setts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey; Whereas the Day of Portugal is a celebration of Portuguese heritage and culture commemorated throughout the Por- tuguese communities around the world; Whereas the United States has a rich history of cultural di- versity and appreciation, including that of the 1,300,000 Portuguese Americans and descendants living in the United States today; and Whereas Portugal was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the United States, and the relation- ship between Portugal and the United States is one of deep friendship and steadfast alliance: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) recognizes and commemorates the Day of 2 Portugal, Camo˜es, and the Portuguese Communities; 3 (2) recognizes and honors the contributions of 4 Portuguese Americans to society; and 5 (3) reaffirms our commitment to the partner- 6 ship between the United States and Portugal. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:06 Jun 13, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR497.IH HR497 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB