SOARES TO BE HONORED

A testimonial dinner will be held Aug. 26 for David Soares, a Cape
Verdean native and former Pawtucket resident who was elected district
attorney in Albany County, N.Y., in 2004.

Soares became that region's first African-American district attorney
by beating the incumbent, Paul Clyne, in a Democratic primary and then
defeating a Republican candidate by nearly 16,000 votes.

In doing so, Soares shocked the political establishment that had
backed Clyne, and he broke new ground by making reform of the
draconian Rockefeller drug laws the centerpiece of his campaign.

"This was truly a momentous victory for David as a Cape Verdean and as
a man of color," the dinner's organizing committee said in a news
release. "In the entire United States, there are less than five
district attorneys of African descent. Prior to David's phenomenal
victory, no known Cape Verdean had ever been elected as a district
attorney since the Cape Verdeans arrived on the shores of North
America more than 200 years ago."

A Cape Verdean online portal, www.forcv.com, and Friends of David
Soares are organizing the recognition dinner, which will take place at
the Portuguese Social Club, 131 School St., Pawtucket.

The reception starts at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 8. Organizers are
asking people to make reservations and buy tickets by Aug. 20. Tickets
are $30 for one or $50 for a couple. To buy tickets, send checks to
Friends of David Soares at 6 Lake Drive, North Providence, RI 02904.
For more information, call David Barros at (401) 339-7539.