Timeline of Activities Leading up to this Project:
This project stems from the vision of the State Senate to move California towards becoming a more prominent partner in our global community. Over the course of the last decade and a half, there have been several exchange visits between state and federal officials in both California and Brazil, exploring opportunities for such partnerships.
Brazilian Chidren
California Children
(April 2005): Luis Fernando Furlan, Minister of Development, Industry and Trade, Brazil; met with Senators, senior policy staff, and business leaders in Sacramento regarding energy and export policy.
(June 7, 2004): Brazilian Press Secretary visits California: Mr. David Campos, Press Secretary for the Legislative Assembly of the State of Paraná visited California. Mr. Campos met with Senator Vasconcellos and other legislative officials regarding California political processes.
(May 27, 2004): Brazilian Dignitaries visit California: Ms. Sandra Cristina Figueiras de Almeida, Legislative Consultant, Chamber of Deputies, and Mr. Rene de Oliveira Garcia Junior, President, Brazilian Regulatory Agency for Insurance and Pension Funds. They met with California officials regarding retirement and social security.
(May 19, 2004): Brazilian Congressional Delegation to the U.S.: Congressmen and officials from the Brazilian national government met with California officials regarding clean energy and technology.
(April 1-11, 2004): Senate Delegation Travels to Brazil: Senator John Vasconcellos and Assemblyman Tim Leslie traveled to the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and Salvador. They met with a variety of dignitaries, including individuals from the public and private sectors, and discussed important issues such as corporate social responsibility, alternative energy, urban development and cultural diversity.
(March 4, 2004): Brazilian Judicial Dignitaries visit the Capitol: Mr. Alexandre Espinosa Bravo Barbosa, Chief Federal Prosecutor, and Ms. Elisandra de Oliveria Olimpio, Regional Electoral Prosecutor, Federal Public Ministry, State of Espirito Santo, Brazil visited with Senators, the Deputy Attorney General, and other judicial officials. They discussed laws in California and the development of ethics in government and business.
(March 19, 2002): Visitors meet regarding Technology and Energy: Mr. Jose Carlos Gomes Costa, Chief Coordinator of Sectoral Policies at Ministry of Science and Technology in Brasília, Mr. Fabio Luis de Oliveria Rosa, Founder and President of Institute for the Development of Alternative Energy and Sustainability, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil.
(July 19, 2001): Delegation from Brazil meets Senators and Discusses Trade: Five members of the National Congress of Brazil met with Senators regarding trade policy and state legislation. They discussed role of California in NAFTA, WTO, and FTAA.
(March 7-9, 2000): Visitors from State of Paraná meet with other State Officials: Mr. Edward L.P. Guimaraes, Chief of Protocol to the Governor of Paraná Mr. Ramiro Wahrhaftig, Secretary of Sciences, Technology, and Higher Education of the State of Paraná and, Mr. Ataíde Ferraza, Director, Virtual University of Paraná, Brazil.
(1999): Senators John Lewis and Richard Rainey trip to Brazil: The Senators traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Iguaçu Falls. In Rio de Janeiro they met with state officials regarding social issues, law enforcement, crime reduction and environmental policies. In Curitiba, the senators discussed urban planning, transportation, trade and commerce. In Iguaçu Falls, the senators studied environment and energy issues such as hydroelectric power.
(January1999): Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8: Authored by Senators Jim Costa, Liz Figueroa, Betty Karnette and John Vasconcellos. The legislature passed a resolution that established a sister state relationship between California and the Brazilian state of Paraná. A sister state relationship encourages global perspective and facilitates economic, social and cultural exchange.
(November 1998): California Foundation on the Environment and Economy: Senators Jim Costa, Jim Brulte, Betty Karnette and Ken Maddy visited Brazil to learn about Brazilian environment and economics.
(March-April 1988): Senate Trade Delegation: Senators Barry Keene, Robert Presley, and Diane Watson visited Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brasília. The Senators met with federal government officials regarding trade.
California-Brazil Partnership
1020 N Street, Suite 516 · Sacramento, California 95814
(916) 651-1515 · FAX (916) 323-7827
Email · California- Brazil Partnership
Photo credits: Brazilian Government and the California Department of Tourism