State Senators Vinny deMacedo, Marc Pacheco and Michael Rodrigues were honored by the university for their service to the Portuguese and Cape Verdean communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. The three lawmakers were the guests of honor at a public service forum sponsored by the Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Studies.
The event, held in the auditorium of the Moakley Center, drew an audience of approximately 100 members of the campus community and local residents.
Dr. Joao Rosa, director of the institute, introduced the program and BSU President Dana Mohler-Faria presented awards to the three legislators.
“As part of our work, we try to find and honor people who combine the passion to do something great with a calling that entails personal sacrifice, and sometimes sacrifice from their families, all with the aim of doing public good for humanity,” Dr. Rosa said. “The three people you are about to meet are such individuals.”
In his remarks, Dr. Mohler-Faria spoke of his personal experiences with each of the three award recipients.
“Leadership in the public sector requires individuals who not only understand that there is a greater good, but also that in order to change a culture, change a society and change conditions for people, a level of sacrifice is required,” he said. “For such individuals, it’s about moving to the greater good, and when I think about the three men sitting here with me tonight, I reflect on the many opportunities I’ve had to work closely on a number of issues with them over the years.
“Therefore, I know the level of sacrifice they’ve made to bring about change in our broader communities. I think about the commitment that Vinny deMacedo makes to people every day to help make Massachusetts a better place, and ultimately this country and the world better places. . . I’ve watched Michael Rodrigues work in New Bedford and on the South Coast and he is a real champion . . . Marc Pacheco and I have a long, long history of working together, and he epitomizes, as do his colleagues here this evening, what public service – at its highest level -- is. He is relentless and he’s committed himself in a way that is a ‘grassroots’ style of commitment: He can speak to the president of the United States or a homeless person on the street with the same level of respect and dignity.”
Sen. deMacedo, of Plymouth, represents the Plymouth and Barnstable districts; Sen. Pacheco, of Taunton, represents the First Plymouth and Bristol County districts and is senate chair of the Portuguese–American Legislative Caucus; and Sen. Rodrigues, of Westport, represents the First Bristol and Plymouth districts. During the forum, each recipient was invited to offer his reflections and then a panel discussion followed in which members of the audience were invited to ask questions.
At the end of the program Dr. Mohler-Faria invited President-Elect Frederick W. Clark, Jr., who will succeed him on July 1, to offer his thoughts. Mr. Clark expressed his thanks to the legislators and said he looked forward to working with them starting this summer. (Story and photo by David K. Wilson, ’71, University News)
