But this geological monument, this volcano that is still considered after so many years an unique volcano for the volcanologic sciences, has changed not only the appearance of the island but also left behind a trail of destruction in the houses and ground soils near by, that obliged many to emigrate to the United States of America. Unfortunely there wasn’t any Autonomic Government in the Azores that could help the affected people according to their needs. There for, it was well appreciated the help of foreign friends – like the senator John Kennedy, from Massachusetts, and senator John Pastore, from Rhode Island, through what was to be known as the Azorean Refugee Act – that, even then pulled out from Azores people who never forget this islands that misses them.
Today, and because of that, after half a century of the eruption, I couldn’t forget to mention the enormous progress that the Democracy and the Autonomy brought to the Azoreans. We should celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Capelinhos Volcano eruption bringing to these events a sense of future, of immortality that strengths the island of Fayal to the archipelago’s symbology and in the uncertainties and fights of our people.

In the thoughts of our generations and of our Fayal families, when by the restored memory of this place they call for their ancestors, it must be said that the Autonomy brought us the same that the volcanoes and the earth quakes left us in the past: the will and the opportunity to, being Azoreans, live in Azores.

The President of the Autonomic Government of Azores
Carlos Manuel Martins do Vale César