State celebrates Portuguese heritage

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From left, Armando Goncalves, Gracinda Lavado, state Rep. Rosa C. Rebimbas, Fernando Rosa, and Carlos S. Batista during the Day of Portugal celebration at the State Capitol on Friday, June 10. CONTRIBUTED
HARTFORD — Members of the state’s Portuguese community were honored at the Day of Portugal event last Friday in Hartford.

State Rep. Rosa C. Rebimbas (R-70) and Fernando G. Rosa, chair of the board of directors of the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States congratulated the award recipients from the third annual Day of Portugal Reception.

Among the honorees was Naugatuck resident Carlos S. Batista, vice president of business development and North America sales for water automation and solutions for Emerson Process Management Power and Water Solutions.

Armando Goncalves, president of Southern Connecticut/New York People’s United Bank, and Gracinda Lavado, human resources manager at Sonitrol, were also honored for their contributions to the Portuguese community.

“Celebrating Portuguese-American culture and honoring Mr. Batista, Mr. Goncalves and Ms. Lavado, civic and business leaders who have positively impacted the Portuguese-American community, is important because of the positive contributions they have made in furthering the connection between our heritage, traditions and our state,” Rebimbas said in a prepared release. “I’m honored to be able to recognize them for their economic and civic contributions to the Portuguese-American community and the state of Connecticut.”

More than 100 people came out for the event, which was held in the Hall of Flags at the state Capitol.