Guest Speaker, Congressman Dennis Cardoza' s Address at
70th Annual Convention Luncheon of Cabrillo Civic Clubs of California
January, 22 2005

        It’s an honor to be with you today.  I speak to a lot of civic groups throughout my district, but to me, more than most, the Cabrillo Club embodies the values that all of us hold dear as Americans.  And I’m not saying that just because I’m Portuguese.
        I see a lot of familiar faces, but I’d like to offer a special welcome to all of you who have come from well out of town to be here today.  I hope you enjoy your stay in Modesto.  And if you’re not from the Central Valley, I hope you can take a moment to observe how quickly this area is changing, but how it remains a vital agricultural region.
        Speaking of the Central Valley, you’ll find it interesting to know that there’s a Portuguese conspiracy of sorts in Washington.  And that conspiracy is rooted here in the Valley.  There are now four congressmen of Portuguese decent representing most of this entire region, or about 3 million people. 
        Two of us – Jim Costa and I – are Democrats; two of us – Richard Pombo and Devin Nunes – are Republicans.  Without a doubt, there are significant ideological differences between us.  While Jim and I are moderate Democrats, Richard and Devin are among the very most conservative members of Congress.
        But somehow, being Portuguese transcends those differences.  The four of us get along famously, and our relationship helps all of our constituents, even though most of them are certainly not Portuguese. 
        Together, we have worked on important agricultural and water issues, making major headway on bills that had previously been stalled for years.  In the process, we have become even better friends and we continue to work on a bipartisan basis.
      And I can’t deny that we get to have a lot of fun with it too.  Recently, we were invited by the Portuguese Ambassador to the Embassy for a fantastic reception.  The Portuguese media seems to send extra reporters over to Washington to cover us our exploits.  And we were even able to make a congressional delegation trip to Portugal, including the Azores.
        So it is not a secret that I am especially proud to be Portuguese.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  And I know that my three colleagues are as proud of their heritage as I am. 
        More important, I think there’s something to be learned about the fact that California now has four elected Portuguese-Americans in Congress.  Not only are we all Portuguese, but we all hail for remarkably identical upbringings.  Our grandparents were all farmers in the Central Valley, who embodied the values and the mission of the Cabrillo Club.
        It is amazing to think that after just two generations, our families, all of whom endured some degree of difficulty when they first arrived in this country, have been able to achieve such success.  It can only happen in America, and it can only happen when people make it a priority to be active and responsible Americans.
       That’s why the continuing mission of the Cabrillo Club is an important one.  Without it, the successes that recent generations of Portuguese Americans have experienced cannot be sustained and expanded upon.  It has never been more important to ensure that we are good American citizens, staying informed about the issues that matter most, and encouraging others to do the same.
       As Portuguese Americans continue to make strides and groups like the Cabrillo Club maintain their role as “Makers of Americans,” it is critical that we urge all Americans to understand their heritage and how it fits into being a responsible citizen.  This means participating in communities and putting on a few events of our own.
        I can think of so many examples of how Portuguese Americans do this in the Valley.  So many of us have had success with cultural events like festas that attract all people from every background.  These festivities help us put the best of Portuguese culture on display for others to enjoy, and at the same time, underscores how well we have assimilated in this country without losing a certain flare.
        But it’s not just about promoting cultural preservation.  It’s also about proving civic participation.  And the best way to do this is to reach young people.  I’m especially pleased that the Cabrillo Club continues to provide scholarships to youth who embrace these ideas.  Empowering youth to seek higher education remains the best vehicle to give them to tools for model citizenship.
       As we look toward the future, let us resolve to continue the Cabrillo Club’s important mission in our own lives, regardless of our individual occupations.  Let us remember what our parents and grandparents did for us, even as some of them were struggling to make it in this country.  Let us take those lessons and encourage others – Portuguese and otherwise – to become successful Americans.