Special Recognition Awards

Over the course of its 18 year existence, the Portuguese Foundation, Inc. has recognized individuals and organizations on 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:

• Portuguese Language Schools in Hartford, Danbury, Bridgeport, and Waterbury
• Rancho Folclorico of the Hartford Portuguese Club on its 25th Anniversary
• Father Jose Silva, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church of Hartford
• Dr. Antonio Cirugiao, Portuguese Language Professor, University of Connecticut
• Dr. Seabra de Veiga, Counsel of Portugal
• Dr. Antonio Simoes, Dean of Graduate Studies, Fairfield University
• Anthony S. Cunha, West Hartford
• Hon. Angelo L. dos Santos, Superior Court Judge
• Maria Fernanda Tereso Pinheiro, Elementary School Teacher
• Hartford Portuguese Club, on its 75th Anniversary
• Dr. Julio N. Coelho, Physician
• Father Nelson Riberiro, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church of Waterbury
• The Portuguese Cultural Center of Danbury
• Msgr. Constantino R. Caldas, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church of Bridgeport
• Jaime "Jimmy" Gregorio, Social Worker and Actvist
• The Holy Ghost Portuguese Society, East Hartford

This year, the Portuguese Foundation is recognizing groups that have kept alive the unique aspect of the Portuguese love for soccer. As "WorldSoccer", a British magazine and a leading authority of international soccer recently proclaimed in previewing the Portuguese National Soccer Team's chances in the Euro 2008 Championship, "Portugal is a soccer mad nation." These three organizations that the Foundation recognizes at its 2008 banquet provide an outlet for that "soccer madness" to Portuguese-Americans in Connecticut.

The Hartford Portuguese Soccer Team, affiliated with the Portuguese Club of Hartford, has for decades served as an outlet for Portuguese immigrants and first generation Portuguese-Americans to play in an organized amateur league, competing against similar teams throughout the State of Connecticut. Trophies of their success and team photographs are on display at the Portuguese Club of Hartford.

The other two organizations that the Foundation recognizes are Casa do Benfica de Hartford and Leġes Unidos de Hartford. Both organizations are comprised of fans of S.L. Benfica and fans of Sporting Clube de Portugal, the two major soccer teams located in Lisbon and playing in Portugal's Premier League. Benfica and Sporting, are, in terms of rivalries, on par with baseball's Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Each of these organizations runs an annual dinner where members, clad in Benfica's red and Sporting's green, unite to celebrate their soccer team. During the soccer season, members of the organizations also unite to cheer on their beloved Eagles or Lions, watching Portuguese Premier League or European Cup matches on satellite television.