Congressman Cicilline Awarded with the Order of Prince Henry, the Navigator, in the grade of Grand Officer by Portuguese Ambassador Vital

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), lead sponsor of Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success (AMIGOS) Act, today was bestowed the honor of Order of Prince Henry, the Navigator, in the grade of Grand Officer by Portuguese Ambassador Fezas Vital. After receiving this award, the Congressman released the following statement.

"The United States has no better friend than the country of Portugal. As one of the first countries to recognize the United States after the Revolutionary War, Portugal is one of our closest economic partners and strongest allies. Today, the United States maintains that longstanding relationship as the fifth largest export market for Portugal, and its largest trading partner outside of the European Union.
"I am proud to represent the First District of Rhode Island, home to one of the country's largest and most vibrant Portuguese communities, a community that has made outstanding contributions to our nation's art and culture, to our small and large business, and to public service in this country for many decades.

"I am also proud to be the lead sponsor of the AMIGOS Act, a bipartisan bill to encourage greater investment and trade between the United States and Portugal.
"Economic investment is the lifeblood of our economy. The AMIGOS Act would encourage greater investment and trade between the United States and Portugal by giving Portuguese nationals access to investor visas. The relationship between our two countries is strong. We can make it stronger. The AMIGOS Act passed the House in June, and I look forward to it passing in the Senate.
"It was my honor to be hosted by Ambassador Vital in his residence this evening and to receive the Order of Prince Henry, the Navigator, in the grade of Grand Officer. I could not be more proud to work with him to build on the historic relationship between our two great nations."

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