PROVIDENCE - More than 150 prominent Luso-Americans gathered with their friends and family in the red, white and blue Donovan Dining Center at Rhode Island College last Saturday night.
      The assembly paid homage and tribute to the Luso-American elected officials of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies (IPLWS), an affiliate of the David E. Sweet Center for Public Policy, hosted the affair.
      Marie R. Fraley, the Associate Director of IPLWS, greeted the audience and explained the purpose of the event.
      "We are proud to salute members of the Luso-American community who have served at the state level," she said. "The level of Luso-American representation is comparable to that of its population in the state."
      She also noted that this year marked the 50th anniversary of continuous service by Portuguese Americans from East Providence who served in the Senate of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
      "This unique occurrence is a testament to civic participation worthy of special recognition and documentation," she added.
      The IPLWS initiated and sponsored The Luso-American Elected Officials Oral History Project. Former Rhode Island General Treasurer, Paul J. Tavares, stepped out of retirement and launched this public education campaign. He coordinated and inspired an Oral History Committee that included: Mark T. Motte, the Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Director of IPLWS; Lisa Godinho, Assistant Professor of Portuguese and Program Director of IPLWS; Marlene Lopes, Associate Professor, Special Collections Librarian, James P. Adams Library; Patricia Nolin, Special Assistant to the President and Marie R. Fraley, Associate Director, IPLWS.
      The Oral History Project has already identified 65 Luso-Americans of Portuguese, Cape Verdean or Brazilian ancestry who served in the Rhode Island General Assembly. Their stories and documents will be recorded and archived for future reference at the James P. Adams Library at RIC.
      "The history and contributions of the Luso Americans have been an integral part of the rich fabric of Rhode Island State politics,"
said Tavares. "There have been 93 years of continuous Portuguese representation in the General Assembly starting
in 1915 with the election of Representative James Martin from Newport."
      The Speaking and Recognition Program honored the 14-member delegation of 10
representatives and 4 Senators. The Majority Leaders of the current RI Senate, Maria


Teresa Paiva Weed and RI House of Representatives, Gordon Fox acknowledge their respective Portuguese and Cape Verdean ancestry.
      The Legacy of Service Awards highlighted the careers of five notable figures from the Oral History Project: Gilbert T. Rocha, Associate Justice of Family Court, D-East Providence (1959-1966); William A. Castro, Senator and President Pro Tempore, D-Senate District 42 (1967-1983); John F. Correia, Senator and President Pro Tempore, D-Senate District 42 (1983-1992); Paul J. Tavares, General Treasurer, (1999-2006), D-Senate District 42 (1993-1998); and Daniel DaPonte, Senator, D-Senate District 14 (1999-present).
      Collectively this group represents fifty years of continuous, Portuguese-American civic participation in the Rhode Island Senate. Several hours worth of interviews, reflections and stories were edited and condensed into a fifteen-minute summary of the lives and accomplishments of the honorees. The audience watched in hushed silence and erupted into applause at the conclusion of the premiere showing.
      Following the awards ceremony, Tavares noted: "Tonight we singled out politics which is just one arena of accomplishment in our community. There are many others scattered about the 8 Portuguese parishes in Rhode Island. They are surrounded by more than 70 religious, fraternal and social organizations. Each and every one has their individual stories and a history to capture, preserve and share."
      Tavares also expressed the hope that the Oral History Projects will inspire and encourage students to attend RIC, study Portuguese and celebrate their culture. He believes that the IPLWS can become a premiere academic center for many future projects.
      "Our center at RIC is dedicated and committed to teaching the Portuguese language and cultural history to our students while providing a tremendous educational resource to their respective communities," he said.