Fontoura. The Portuguese American Congress was founded in September 1984 to create a sense of civic pride within the PortugueseAmerican community in New Jersey. To this end. the Congress has sponsored activities to assist new immigrants in their transition to American life. In March 1985. the PAC sponsored a naturalization drive to help Portuguese residents of New Jersey become American citizens and register to vote. The effort involved the work of many dedicated volunteers who assisted the new Immigrants in filling out the extensive paperwork required of new citizens. The PAC has also worked with the Congress of Portuguese American Educators and the Newark Board of Education to provide English lessons to the new Americans. The 3.000member PAC has also sponsored education forums for parents and toxic waste cleanup drives. Last December. I was proud to be the keynote speaker at the naturalization ceremony for 1.127 new Portuguese Americans. As a result of immigration reforms I worked to enact in 1965. we now have more Portuguese coming into our country than any other ethnic group. I am happy to welcome our newest citizens who have brought to our Nation the rich gifts of a beautiful culture. tradition. and heritage. The Statue of Liberty beckons all to come to our shores. Unfortunately. as I discovered during my early years in Congress. our doors have not always been open. At that time. our immigration laws found some ethnic groups more worthy than others for eligibility for entry and citizenship. Fortunately. this injustice was corrected with legislation I authored. the Immigration Reform Act. which abolishes immigration quotas and ensures fairness.
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