The Luso-American Education Foundation was organized by a group of citizens of Portuguese origin in July 1963 . The Foundation is an outgrowth of the Education Committee formed in 1957 after the consolidation of the Benevolent Society of California and Uniao Portuguesa Continental do Estado da California, from which resulted the United National Life Insurance Society, now Luso-American Life Insurance Society/Luso-American Fraternal Federation.
The society operates in more than one state, and for the establishment of two distinct administrations: one at the State level, under the designation of State Councils, to handle all fraternal and related activities and the other at the National level, to administer the insurance and related business affairs of the whole society. Based on this concept, The State Council of California was formed with the consolidated societies and adopted the name of Luso-American Fraternal Federation in order to perpetuate the customs and traditions of the consolidated societies and their members.
After the consolidation had been approved at the special convention held in San Jose, California, on February 17, 1957, the following resolution was introduced and adopted:
"Resolution No 3-57, WHEREAS, Portugal and its people have maintained through the years the most friendly relations with the United States;
WHEREAS, Portugal, due to its strategic geographical position in Europe can be of immeasurable value to the defense of the United States and all the nations of the free world;
WHEREAS, any action that may be taken by the American citizens of Portuguese origin that may develop and strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries will result in a great benefit to the people of both countries;
WHEREAS, such approximation and friendship between the peoples of both countries can best be accomplished by a better understanding of their historical and cultural backgrounds through proper study in their respective colleges and universities by citizens of school age of both countries;
WHEREAS, the membership of the newly consolidates United Life Insurance Society is composed principally of American citizens of Portuguese origin, many of whom will be the American leaders of the business and political world of tomorrow, and who should, therefore, be encouraged to study the culture and historical background of the country of origin of their forefathers, to better prepare them for the task of maintaining and strengthening the ties of friendship between the two countries;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by this assembly, that the Board of Directors of this Society be directed to study a program for the exchange of students of the ages of 18 to 23, between the United States and Portugal, and that they be authorized to select and finance annually as many qualified students who are members of the Society* of the indicated ages as possible for a summer trip to Portugal, subject only to the condition that such students must undertake in the proper universities of Portugal, such summer course as may be desirable to accomplish the aims and purposes set forth on this resolution."
*After the founding of the Luso-American Education Foundation, the requirement of membership in the Society was repealed. Grants and scholarships are awarded strictly on the basis of qualifications of applicants, regardless of race, color or creed.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
To carry out this program of education contemplated by the terms of the foregoing resolution, an Education Committee was appointed by the administration of the Luso-American Fraternal Federation immediately after the annual convention held at Long Beach in August 1957. This committee, after careful analysis, recommended for the first part of the program of education to be sponsored by the Society, the financing of qualified graduate students to study the Portuguese language at summer courses given by Portuguese universities.
The Program proved to be very popular and of far-reaching importance, for through this medium, many students of sound intellectual formation were given the opportunity to absorb not only the language but the customs and historical background of Portugal and its people.
Inasmuch as the Luso-American Fraternal Federation had no income of its own, this program of education was totally financed by the United National Life Insurance Society from its surplus funds.
After two years of its operation, the Society came to the conclusion that this program should be amplified to cover a much larger area of educational and cultural activities, and that only through an organization properly staffed and with more revenue than the Society was able to provide from its funds, could it ever realize its goal.
Based on these conclusions, the delegates to the 1959 annual convention of the Luso-American Fraternal Federation introduced and approved the following resolution:
"Resolution 1-59, WHEREAS, the Society has hereto- fore, pursuant to Resolution No. 3, introduced by the assembly at San Jose, California, on February 17, 1957, adopted and established an Educational Program for the exchange of students between the United States and Portugal, majoring in the historical customs and cultures of said countries;
WHEREAS, the Education Committee, duly appointed under said resolution, has prepared studies and explored the feasibility and practicability of the Education Program, both as a whole and in its several parts during the past 24 months;
WHEREAS, a part of said program is in existence and qualified students were selected to participate in the program, and are now attending special summer courses in Coimbra, Portugal;
WHEREAS, the continuation of the Education Program as it now exists is desirable and the prospect of enlarging the program appears worthy of serious con- sideration;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this assembly expresses itself as being in favor of continuing the Education Program, and to enlarge said program as far as circumstances reasonably permit, by encouraging voluntary contributions to the said Education Program by interested patrons thereof, from whatever source.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in pursuance hereof, that this assembly recommends to the Board of Directors of the Society that it cause a study to be made of the desirability of establishing a permanent entity to encompass the Education Program and the same to be known by the name of (or other suitable name) Luso-American Education Foundation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, if in the opinion of the Board of Directors, said study and its recommendations be deemed practical, that then and in that event the Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall determine whether to establish said Foundation, and to determine the terms, conditions and provisions of said Foundation, and the extent of the Society's contribution thereto at any time, or from time to time to withdraw from said Foundation for any cause.
Submitted by the
Committee on Education
With the approval of this resolution it was decided to discontinue the existing program of education until such time as the proposed Foundation was established and ready to assume the responsibility of a complete cultural program. The preparation of the technical details for the organization of the Foundation was entrusted to the Education Committee originally appointed by the Luso-American Fraternal Federation.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FOUNDATION
After a long period of study, the Articles of Incorporation of the Foundation were filed with the proper authorities of the State of California. Thus, on July 12, 1963, the Luso-American Education Foundation, a non-profit, charitable education corporation, came into existence, and at a meeting held by the first Directors on August 13, 1963 at Hanford, California, a temporary chairman was appointed, and the basis for the preparation of the necessary by-laws was duly adopted.
BY-LAWS
Pursuant to the basis adopted at the meeting of August 13, 1963, the By-Laws of the Foundation were prepared and subsequently approved at a meeting held September 25, 1963 at San Francisco, California. At the same meeting, the Chairman was empowered to elaborate a program of activities and to study plans for acquisition of funds to be adopted by the Foundation.
ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION
The Board of Directors met again on February 19, 1964 at San Francisco. At this meeting, a new chairman was elected; the date for the annual meetings of the members was fixed; and an Executive Committee was appointed and empowered to formulate plans for the cultural program of activities to be executed in 1965 and to study ways and means of raising funds to finance such a program. The Executive Committee went to work and prepared the required program of activities and a budget allocating the funds for its execution. The program and budget covered the following specific activities:
(a) Financing of students to attend summer courses in Portuguese universities; (b) Granting of scholarships to qualified students to further their education in the United States; and (c) Financing of the study and development of Portuguese culture and folklore and other cultural pursuits.
In connection with the plan to raise funds, the Executive Committee reported that the United National Life Insurance Society had already contributed $2,000.00; that various members had signed pledges for an additional sum of $10,000.00; and, therefore, the Foundation was in a position to finance the program presented.
The United National Life Insurance Society has continued to support the Foundation with substantial contributions, and the pledges of funds and other contributions have greatly increased since 1965. With this support, it has been possible to continue the scholarship programs without interruption, and with great success. Through this program, many deserving students have been able to attend the colleges of their choice, and in keeping with the principles of non-discrimination, the awarding has been made strictly on the basis of qualifications of the applicants, regardless of race, color or creed.
PORTUGUESE DAY
As part of the cultural program of activities sponsored by the Foundation, the members resolved at their annual meeting of 1966 to commemorate annually, "Portuguese Day", also designated as "Dia de Camoes". Based on this action, the "Dia de Camoes" was officially commemorated for the first time in California by the Luso-American community on June 10, 1966, with a banquet and patriotic exercises at the Fairmont Hotel, in San Francisco, and with the presence of the Consul of Portugal and other dignitaries and a large representation of Luso-Americans.
The celebration of "Portuguese Day" has occurred each and every year since 1966 with the same dignity and appropriate patriotic exercises as that of the first celebration. Each year the participation of the Portuguese community grows and has already exceeded the attendance of 500 people. It is to be said without a doubt that with the passing of each year, this activity will become more and more important in the lives of the people in the Portuguese community of the State of California.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Since 1963, a number of scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors and college students, who will be the American leaders of tomorrow, for financial assistance for higher education. These funds are made available by contributions from members of the Luso-American Education Foundation and various community entities.
TEACHERS PROGRAM FOR STUDY OF PORTUGUESE
A number of Summer Study Grants are awarded to qualifying individuals enabling them to attend a summer course at a university in Portugal or in California thereby giving them the opportunity to prepare themselves for the teaching of the Portuguese language in the California schools. Funds have been made available by members of the Luso-American Education Foundation and other entities who have an interest in helping those who wish to study the language and culture of the Portuguese people
ESTABLISHING PORTUGUESE IN SCHOOLS
One of the most important projects of the Luso-American Education Foundation is the concentrated efforts toward establishing the teaching of Portuguese in the schools of California. Contacts have been made, conferences have been held, surveys have been made and much cooperation has been received from representatives of various colleges and the California Department of Education in order to formulate a program of action leading to the adoption of the Portuguese language in the schools of California.
TEACHER SURVEYS
The Foundation maintains records on all teachers in the State of California who are capable of or interested in the teaching of the Portuguese language. Information regarding grants offered by the Foundation, School Districts offering classes in Portuguese, School districts reporting requests for Portuguese instructors, and general information concerning the teaching of Portuguese is made available by the Foundation. As a result of these surveys, The Foundation's records contain information on many teachers throughout the State of California who show an interest in the teaching of the Portuguese language.
FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION
The Foundation holds conferences with its Awardees of Summer Study Grants each year thereby creating a closer relationship between the Foundation and teachers interested in the establishment of Portuguese in the schools. This group of teachers has been designated "Friends of the Foundation" and conferences held include teachers who have received a grant from the Foundation. A quarterly publication serves as an important link between the Foundation and the teachers and includes articles of importance relating to the establishment of Portuguese in the schools, tips on text material, how teachers are progressing in their school districts toward the teaching of Portuguese, and many other items of interest.
TEXTBOOK MATERIAL AND RESEARCH
The Foundation assists various school districts in the State of California by obtaining text material for them, lending reference material, textbooks, courses of study and audio and video tapes from the Foundation's library, and making available study outlines for those schools wishing to start a Portuguese class.