Hi, my name is Paul J. Amaral and I’m running for Fall River City Council.
In the late 1980s my family and I chose to come to the United States in order to realize the American dream and make Fall River our home. I emigrated to the United States at the age of nine, unfamiliar with the English language and with just a few belongings that fit in our suitcases.
Upon arriving at T.F. Green airport in Providence, we proceeded to drive to what would become our home for the next 35 years. I vividly recall riding in the back of a pick-up truck with our suitcases feeling nervous, excited, and scared — all at the same time. As we crossed the Braga Bridge, cars kept beeping their horns; giving us the thumbs up and welcoming us to to Fall River. I had my first look across the Taunton River and had the overwhelming feeling that life would be better in this new city. This would be the city that would provide us with opportunity and hope.
After a few months of living with other recently-emigrated relatives, my family and I moved to a small apartment in the Niagara neighborhood where we quickly discovered that life was not always so simple or easy. I started fifth grade at the N.B. Borden School in the Corky Row neighborhood of Fall River and eventually attended Kuss and Talbot Middle Schools — eventually graduating from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1995.
After graduation, I began work at a factory on Airport Road before eventually going on to attend Bristol Community College and graduating with a degree in Business Information Systems. With the recommendation of my professors, I was offered the opportunity to work for a local internet service provider in Fall River doing technical support by telephone. Twenty-two years later, I am proud to say that I am still employed at the same company where I’ve progressed to become a Cisco-certified Senior network engineer.
Today, I reside in the south end of the city with my wife and two children and I’m happy to say that I’m truly living the American dream. It’s this dream and success that I hope to pass on to the next generation of Fall River Residents.