Draft Proclamation
City of SantaClara
WHEREAS, the United States as a whole, and specifically the State of California and the Santa Clara region, have a rich history of immigration from Portugal; and
WHEREAS, some of the first Portuguese immigrants came to California in the 19th century, followed by subsequent waves of immigration in the early 20th century and again in the mid-20th century, when a series of catastrophic volcanic eruption prompted more than 175,000 Azorean people to emigrate to the United States between 1960 and 1980; and
WHEREAS, by the 1970s, roughly half of all dairy f arms in California’s San Joaquin Valley were owned and operated by Portuguese-Americans and contributed to making California the number one dairy producing State in the Nation, and today Portuguese Californians continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying as proprietors and innovators; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara has a rich history of Portuguese culture and roots; the City of Santa Clara established its Sister City with Coimbra, Portugal, on August 4, 1972, and continues to strengthen relations with Coimbra through the Santa Clara Sister Cities organization; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans have made substantial contributions to every facet of life in Santa Clara, maintaining the Portuguese American experience in Santa Clara, and serving as bridges to our multicultural City.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, LISA M. GILLMOR, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor, and on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2024 as Portuguese National Heritage Month
in the City of Santa Clara, and do hereby recognize the rich history, cultural diversity, and significant contributions of Portuguese Americans to the community and City of Santa Clara.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the City of Santa Clara, California, this 25 th day of June 2024.
LISA M. GILLMOR
MAYOR
City of Santa Clara
Proclamation