From the night of the cerimony, we reproduce here the words said about Mr. Frank Dias:

"Tonight we also are gathered here to honor someone who has made major contributions to the Portuguese/Portuguese-American community for many years.

A California native, our honoree left California for the Azores at a young age after the death of one parent. While in the Azores, the honoree married, returning to the Sacramento Valley alone before being joined later by the young spouse. Together they have two children and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Our honoree has been active in many Portuguese organizations such as the Sacramento Portuguese Holy Spirit Society, Luso-American Fraternal Federation, the local parish and the local community, and has received numerous awards for untiring efforts on behalf of the Portuguese community, not only locally, but also from the Portuguese Government.

This person is someone familiar to all California, if not through personal friendships and society memberships, then through photographs, name and voice recognition.

Many may recognize him for broadcasting Holy Mass on Sundays the past 30-plus years on his radio program.

I’m sure some of you have guessed, by now, that we are here to honor MR. FRANK DIAS.

As stated above, Frank and his mother left Newcastle, California to return to the Azores Island of Pico, shortly after the death of his father. It was evident that his mother could not maintain the fruit and farming operation during the depression of the 30’s so she sold the property. Frank was 10 years old. Living first in Pico and then in Faial, Frank later worked in a department store in Faial. There he occasionally assisted with interpreting for the American Consulate. He planned to return to the United States, but first married Mary Alice Silva in November of 1946. Mary stayed in Faial when Frank returned to the U.S. a year later. His first job was with Weinstock’s (now Macy’s) before being hired at the California State Department of Motor Vehicles in January of 1948 as a Clerk. Mary joined him in Sacramento in October of that year.

While at the Department of Motor Vehicles, Frank was instrumental in assisting many Portuguese in obtaining their driver-licenses and continues to interpret in that capacity today. He also translated the motor vehicle handbook into Portuguese and was instrumental in obtaining other translations of the booklet. Frank was the last President of the Ordem do Espirito Santo (ODES), 1966, and the first president of Sacramento Portuguese Holy Spirit Society (SPHSS). Frank was committee chair for the building of the SPHSS hall on Pocket Road in Sacramento, and is now an Honorary Director.

He established the radio program Ecos Portugueses in 1968 in Stockton, California, broadcasting from his home in Sacramento. Initially broadcasting weekdays, Portuguese and Brazilian music together with news and a community calendar, the program now is heard on Sundays and broadcasts the 9:00 a.m. Portuguese Mass from St. Elizabeth Church in Sacramento.

Frank, through his radio program has conducted many outreach programs to assist the Portuguese people. One most noteworthy example was in 1973, when he went, without being compensated, to Faial and Pico during the devastating earthquakes, which affected more than 5,000 people. He filmed the destruction, returning to show the films from the valley to southern California, resulting in him raising more than $19,000 for the cause.

He was recognized by the Portuguese government, receiving the Ordem de Bemerencia from then President Mario Soares in 1986. The House of Representatives paid tribute to Frank in 1984 on his retirement from DMV after 37 years and for his service to the Portuguese community. In 1991, he was decorated by the Secretary of the State of Portuguese Communities, with the Medal of Merit. In 1994, he was decorated with the "Medalha de Cristo em Ouro" for his contribution to the church by his Holiness Pope John Paul. He was honored in a Senate Resolution in 1995 and in1997, he received a "Community Service" award by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. Last year the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles presented him with a "Gold Star Award" and plaque for the 18 years since his retirement that he has coordinated the DMV booth at the State Fair, as well as the Sacramento, Los Angeles and Fresno county fairs.