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Special Recognition AwardsOver the course of its 19 year existence, The Portuguese
Foundation, Inc. has recognized individuals and organizations for
their achievements and contributions to the Portuguese-American
Community. These individuals and organizations embody the
Foundation's mission statement of advancing Portuguese
communities within the State of Connecticut and in keeping alive
the Portuguese culture in the State of Connecticut. Past recipients of Special Recognition Awards from the
Portuguese Foundation, Inc. have included:
This year, the Portuguese Foundation is proud to recognize one
of its own Guiding Members and Director - Mr. Edward A.
Santos. Ed, as he is affectionately known by all the members of the
group, first joined the Portuguese Foundation in 1991.
Immediately upon the incorporation of the group. Ed was nominated
as both the Treasurer and Chairperson of the Scholarship
Committee. His principal task was to begin the process of setting
up the parameters of a scholarship program that the Board of
Directors could vote upon. Needless to say, he performed his
duties with the utmost attention to fairness, integrity and
impartiality. As you read through the grading system and criteria
of the Scholarship Program, you will note that these very
characteristics shine through. It is a tribute to Ed, and all the
hard work he did for many years as the Chair of the Scholarship
Committee, that the Board of Directors has never found any reason
to alter or change the core structure of our scholarship
program. Edward A. Santos has served with The Portuguese Foundation,
Inc. for more than 18 years, and it is no coincidence that this
group has continued to award its scholarships to the best and
brightest students of Portuguese ancestry from Connecticut for
the last 18 years. Also, throughout this period of time, Ed would
further continue to provide guidance and direction to the group
by assuming other duties and offices. Eventually Ed came to serve
as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President, at
different times over the last 19 years. In addition, Ed's love of
Portuguese culture was instrumental in his collaboration with The
Real Art Ways in Hartford on promoting several Portuguese
language film series at their theatre. Over the years, Ed has
often advised the group that the value of our heritage and our
culture is just as important as the awarding of scholarships.
Along the way he has helped and volunteered at numerous Day of
Portugal festivities, assisted the Banquet Committees in setting
up for the awards dinners, and even promoted the Foundation at
charitable events held by other organizations in Hartford and
throughout the State of Connecticut. Remarkably, for all he has
done, Ed has never sought the spotlight. For him it has always
been about connecting to our common culture and making it easier
for the students to obtain a higher education. For these reasons,
and many more too numerous to list, The Portuguese Foundation is
thrilled to bestow upon Edward A. Santos its 2009 Special
Recognition Award. Ed lives in West Hartford, CT and is married to Mary Jane. He is retired from service with the Chief Operations Group of the US Department of Defense, in East Hartford, CT, where he was also awarded a distinguished honor for his many years of dedicated work to this country. Ed has served and volunteered with several other charitable organizations, including the United Way and Saint Francis Hospital Foundation. |