Did you know that...

• U.P.E.C. was founded on August 1, 1880 in San Leandro

• The founding members were all from the Azores Island, except one born in Coimbra, Portugal

• The UPEC is today the oldest domestic fraternal benefit society in existence in California.

• The most complete library of Portuguese materials in California is known as the J.A. Freitas library and is housed in the UPEC Cultural Center building in San Leandro.

• The UPEC, even though it was founded to gather the Portuguese families and to encourage and maintain culture, language and Portuguese traditions, does admit members of any nationality regardless of political affiliation or religion.

• Portuguese and English are the official languages of the U.P.E.C.

• Besides regular scholarships offered to members to pursue a college education, UPEC sponsors Portuguese courses at U.C. Santa Barbara, San Jose State and U.C. Berkeley.

• The total insurance in force of the UPEC as of December 31, 2003, was over sixty million dollars.

• You can attend meetings of any subordinate council.

• The UPEC is a member of the National Fraternal Congress of America.

• The book collection of the J.A. Freitas Library is maintained by funds willed by the widow of Past Supreme President J.A. Freitas of Oakland.

• If at death of a member there is no one to make the necessary arrangements for his or her funeral, the UPEC shall take charge to see that he or she is given a proper burial.