The U.P.E.C. is comprised not only of members of Portuguese descent, but of every nationality - regardless of religious and political beliefs.

Today The Portuguese Union of the State of California remains the oldest domestic fraternal insurance society organized in the State of California. The actions of our society throughout the years have brought about prestige to our members along with public recognition and respect.

Even though times have changed drastically in the past 100 years, the objectives of U.P.E.C. are still the same: unity among its members, protection through up-to-date insurance plans, and charity with justice to those in need.

Today our assets number well over thirty million dollars, and our members can proudly state that they have fulfilled their obligations - not only to themselves, but also to this great nation, the United States of America, and to the people of another great country which has given wonderful sons to the entire world - Portugal.

U.P.E.C. members have continued the heritage of the Portuguese through the written and spoken word, traditions and civic work.

In the annals of U.P.E.C. written with the sacrifice of many of the members, we can find documents of historical value, humanitarian acts, and outstanding contributions to the welfare of our people - not only in this state and nation, but also beyond the borders of the United States.

Through the past years more than 18 million dollars has been paid in charity and death benefits, not only to members but to charitable institutions and others.

As an example of the civic work of U.P.E.C. stands the beautiful twenty-foot high statue of white marble, depicting in dramatic stone the Portuguese Immigrant. This work was sculptured in Portugal and given to the City of San Leandro where it stands in Root Park, a tribute to the early settlement of Portuguese in the State of California.

It is in our very nature to honor those of the past who helped to build our community and our society. But we do not think only of yesterday; U.P.E.C. maintains always an active existence to maintain our goals of Unity, Charity and Protection.