05-16-08
#22
Brazilian Ambassador Oto Maia makes first visit to Mount
Vernon
Ambassador Oto Maia, undersecretary-general of Brazilian
Expatriates Communities of the Ministry of External
Relations, made his first visit ever to Mount Vernon on
Friday, May 16. His visit brought much excitement to the
Brazilian community in Mount Vernon, especially since it
came on the eve of BZ4U Day, a Brazilian fair that will
be taking place at Hartley Park on a yearly basis. The
fair is intended to bring the Brazilian community closer
to the overall Mount Vernon community. The fair will be
a way for the Brazilian community to show their
appreciation concerning the way they have been able to
assimilate into the Mount Vernon community throughout
the years in a very positive way.
Ambassador Maia's visit to Mount Vernon was arranged by
Ricardo B. Braxtor, President of the Brazilian Civic
Center, located at 43 Gramatan Avenue. Upon his arrival
at the Civic Center, Ambassador Maia was met by not only
Braxtor and his staff, but also by a host of Brazilian
community leaders and activists. Also waiting to greet
and welcome Ambassador Maia was Mount Vernon Police
Commissioner, David Chong, and Captain Barbara Duncan,
Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Division,
which encompasses Community Affairs and Internal
Affairs.
"Today we are having the opening ceremony of our
special event taking place this weekend - BZ4U Day. This
is a very special moment for the Brazilian community in
Mount Vernon, since we have Ambassador Oto Maia in our
presence, along with representatives from the Mount
Vernon Police Department. This is the moment that we
have been dreaming about. To be able to mingle our
society, our community, with the Mount Vernon government
and Mount Vernon community. This is the picture you all
want to see. The Brazilian Consulate and City of Mount
Vernon officials together," said Braxtor.
Braxtor next introduced Ambassador Maia to the large
gathering of guests and press. "I am very pleased to be
here today, especially on the launch of BZ4U Day, a
wonderful initiative by the Brazilian community in Mount
Vernon. I support this initiative and believe Brazilians
should do it everywhere, not only in Mount Vernon," said
Ambassador Maia.
According to Ambassador Maia, there are three million
Brazilians living abroad. From those, 1.2 million are in
the United States, 315 thousand in Japan and about 400
thousand in Paraguay - where 120,000 are already
regularized. Of the 1.2 million in the United States,
5,000 Brazilians reside in Mount Vernon.
Braxtor also asked Commissioner Chong to say a few
words and he stated: "I want you to know that the
Brazilian population in our city is so vitality
important to us. The Brazilian population is one of our
biggest heartbeats in the city. We want the Brazilian
population to grow and prosper, and we want to be
partners with the Brazilian population."
Both Commissioner Chong and Captain Duncan were
presented with Certificates of Appreciation by Braxtor
After the ceremony, attendees were provided with
delicious food and drinks, and the opportunity to mingle
with the very popular ambassador.
Ricardo
B. Braxtor, President of the Brazilian Civic Center in
Mt. Vernon
(l to r)
Capt. Barbara Duncan and Commissioner Chong displaying
Certificates of
Appreciation presented to them by
Ricardo
B. Braxtor.
Ricardo B. Braxtor (r) presenting a gift to
Ambassador Maia
