On Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015, members of the House, Senate, the Massachusetts Portuguese community, and others gathered in the House Chamber to celebrate the 31st Annual Heritage Day of Portugal. The Heritage Day of Portugal was first celebrated in 1985 as a way to honor the contributions that Portuguese immigrants, those of Portuguese decent, and friends of the Portuguese community make to their neighborhoods, the Commonwealth, and the nation.
Each year I have the great honor of recognizing an individual member of the Portuguese community in Cambridge and Somerville who strives to improve the lives of those around her or him. This year was certainly no exception. It was with great pride that this year I nominated the Chief Executive Officer of Naveo Credit Union, Rui F. Domingos, for the Portuguese Heritage Award.
Rui and his wife Helena in the Members’ Lounge at the MA House of Representatives before the award presentation
Rui has served as CEO of Naveo—formerly Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union—since 2005. During his time as CEO, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Portuguese community, language, and culture. Rui recently developed and implemented a student exchange program between Matignon High School in Cambridge and Marista High School in Lisbon, Portugal. He is also a member of the Boston Portuguese Festival Committee, and has been actively involved with the Portuguese School of Cambridge and Somerville.
His commitment to the Portuguese community has extended to his work at Naveo. In partnership with the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Rui has led the “Dreamer Loan” project, which provides interest-free loans to immigrants with the goal of breaking down financial barriers to US citizenship.
Rui has also served as treasurer of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, President of the Somerville Kiwanis, and President of the Metro Boston Credit Union. He is a member of the Massachusetts Credit Union League Education Committee, and the Credit Union Community Hope Initiative, which work to promote financial literacy and prevent homelessness.
Rui Domingos is a prime example of a humanitarian who gives back to the community that gave so much to him. He has provided a service to not only the Portuguese community, but to Somerville, Cambridge, and Massachusetts. It was an honor to have had the opportunity to recognize his impactful work.