The Municipality of Velas honored Mr. Batista Sequeira Vieira with “the highest distinction of the Municipality,” according to a statement. In a ceremony held in the Noble Hall in Velas, accompanied by family, friends, and representatives of civil society, the honoree received the Golden Key of the Municipality from President Luís Silveira. “This distinction is awarded because Mr. Batista Sequeira Vieira, a native of the parish of Rosais, despite emigrating to the USA in 1954, never forgot his homeland,” the statement said.

“With a career as a businessman and entrepreneur marked by merit and innovation, he has been a constant support to the Portuguese-American community.” In addition, Mr. Batista Vieira has “also given invaluable support to social, recreational, sporting, cultural, and religious institutions in the municipality, such as philharmonic bands, the João Inácio de Sousa Retirement Home, among many others, and his generous support and altruism have been fundamental and valuable to the success and continuation of their activities,” he said.

Speaking at the Golden Key award ceremony, the Mayor highlighted precisely this fact about Mr. Batista Vieira, “never having forgotten the land where he was born, helping everyone and everything, especially the most vulnerable.” In essence, he emphasized, “it is recognition of the gratitude we have for this man who passed away many decades ago, but who was always willing to help, and did so with pride.”

“Today was a day to be grateful, giving thanks with the municipality’s highest award, the Golden Key,” he said. It should be remembered that in addition to this tribute from the Municipality of Velas, Batista Sequeira Vieira was honored in 1985 by the then US President Ronald Reagan, in 1989 by the former President of the Republic, Mário Soares, who awarded him the title of Commander of the Order of Merit, and in 2014 by the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores with the award of the Autonomous Insignia.

In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.

A few photos of the event from the Municipality of Velas