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MEDIA
ADVISORY
ATTENTION:
CITY DESKS
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3/29/00
- File # 15292
Contact: Janet Gilmore
(510) 642-3734
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WHAT: |
Presentation
of The Berkeley Medal to Mário Soares, president
of Portugal from 1986-1996 and current member of the European
Parliament.
The
Berkeley Medal, established in 1981, is an honor bestowed
by the University of California, Berkeley, on individuals
of exceptionally distinguished achievements whose work
or contributions to society illustrate the ideals of the
university and further its goals. Chancellor Robert M.
Berdahl will present the medal to Soares, who will address
the audience on Portugal, the European Union and democracy.
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WHEN: |
4
p.m., Tuesday, April 4. |
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WHERE: |
The
Lipman Room, 8th floor, Barrows Hall, UC Berkeley. |
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WHO: |
Soares
is considered the father of the Portuguese democratic
republic. He played a key role in Portugal's transition
from the authoritarian regime of António de Salazar
(1932 - 1974) to a democracy. Soares's activism against
dictatorship began in his youth and continued through
his work as a defense lawyer representing political prisoners
and as an adult activist once forced into exile.
Following
the Revolution of April 1974, Soares was foreign minister
and, later, prime minister. In these tense years, he was
instrumental in preventing the establishment of a left
wing military regime and in achieving the ratification
of a democratic constitution. In 1986, he became the first
civilian to be elected directly by the people as President
of Portugal. He was reelected with an overwhelming majority
in 1991, completing his term in 1996. He is currently
a member of Portugal's Council of State and, in 1999,
was elected member of the European Parliament.
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