Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Augusto Amador
Date(s): Friday, June 9, 2023
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of Lafayette Street and Pulaski Street
Ceremonial Intersection Name: “Honorable Augusto Amador Way”
Sponsor: Council Member, Michael J. Silva
Additional Information:
The Ceremonial Street Dedication will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.
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WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc., for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Augusto Amador was born in Murtosa, Portugal in 1949. A six (6) term Councilmember representing Newark’s East Ward, Augusto Amador finished his formal education in his hometown before his emigration to the United States, joining his father and siblings in Newark’s East Ward community in 1967. He continued his educational aspirations, working days and attending Rutgers University at night; and
WHEREAS, in 1970 the Honorable Amador Augusto began his professional career with the Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company, rising successfully through the corporate ranks before retiring in 2004. His career in community service began in 1981, when appointed to the Newark Parking Authority from that first appointment began a long list of accomplishments and firsts for the gifted politician and community servant. He became the first Portuguese-American elected to serve on the Newark Board Education in 1993, the first Portuguese-American appointed to the position of Deputy Mayor in 1997, and the first Portuguese-American elected to the Newark Municipal Council in 1998, where he served a record six (6) terms until his retirement in 2022; and
WHEREAS, during his long and illustrious political career, he was recognized as one of the most influential and astute Portuguese-American politicians, not only in the State of New Jersey, but the United States. He worked tirelessly serving his beloved East Ward community, increasing property values, increasing business opportunities in the construction, financial and food industries especially, shepherding the “Ironbound Section” into an internationally known tourist attraction, noted for its Iberian and Portuguese cuisine. Through his grit and determination two (2) new public schools were built, a new Riverbank Park and walkway alongside the Passaic River, increased sports opportunities for children were fostered and the East Ward became one of Newark’s safest communities; and
WHEREAS, the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his tremendous contributions to the Newark community, the Honorable August Amador’s reputation extended well beyond the borders of the Newark’s East Ward and the United States, where he was internationally recognized by the Portuguese Government receiving the distinguished “Comendador of Chancelaria Ordem de Merito”, in 2018; and
WHEREAS, an accomplished artist/author, the Honorable Augusto Amador published numerous writings and poetry expressing his love for his glorious Portugal and the sweet memories his childhood roots.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Lafayette Street and Pulaski Street as “Honorable Augusto Amador Way.”
2. The official name of the said streets shall remain Lafayette Street and Pulaski Street in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This Resolution ceremonial authorizes the naming of the intersection of Lafayette Street and Pulaski Street as “Honorable Augusto Amador Way”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.