# Law No. 3437 of August 15, 1958

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649278)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3437-of-august-15-1958

## Summary
Law No. 3437 of August 15, 1958, is a Brazilian statute that officially named the railway bridge over the Paraguay River in the state of Mato Grosso "Ponte Presidente Eurico Dutra" in honor of former Brazilian President Eurico Gaspar Dutra. Enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, it reflects mid-20th-century efforts to commemorate key figures in Brazil's infrastructure development.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** August 15, 1958.
- **Country:** Brazil.
- **Official Title:** "Lei nº 3437, de 15 de agosto de 1958" (Law No. 3437 of August 15, 1958).
- **Named Entity:** The railway bridge over the Paraguay River in Mato Grosso, named "Ponte Presidente Eurico Dutra."
- **Approved By:** President Juscelino Kubitschek, via promulgation.
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil, specifically the state of Mato Grosso.
- **Language:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-08-15;3437`.
- **Publication Location:** Rio de Janeiro (then the capital of Brazil).
- **Legal Citation:** "Lei nº 3437/1958".
- **Wikidata Description:** "Brazilian law".

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of Law No. 3437 of August 15, 1958?**  
This law designates the official name of a railway bridge over the Paraguay River in Mato Grosso, honoring former President Eurico Dutra for his contributions to Brazilian infrastructure.

**Who enacted the law?**  
The law was approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek, who signed it into effect on August 15, 1958, during his term in office (1956–1961).

**Why was the bridge named after Eurico Dutra?**  
Eurico Dutra served as President of Brazil from 1946 to 1951 and was associated with post-war development projects. The naming reflects a common Brazilian practice of commemorating political figures through infrastructure.

**Where can the full text of the law be accessed?**  
The law is publicly available via the Brazilian Senate's legislative database and the LexML portal at `https://legis.senado.leg.br/norma/?numero=3437&tipo_norma=lei&data=19580815&link=s`.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3437 of August 15, 1958, matters as a historical marker of Brazil's mid-20th-century infrastructure development and political culture. By naming a critical railway bridge after a former president, the law underscores the interplay between political legacy and public works in Brazil. It also highlights the role of legislation in preserving national memory, particularly during a period of rapid modernization under President Kubitschek's "50 Years of Progress in 5" agenda. For researchers, this law provides insight into how Brazilian governments have used naming conventions to honor political figures and reinforce national identity through infrastructure projects.

## Notable For
- **Commemorative Legislation:** Serves as an example of Brazilian laws enacted to honor historical figures through infrastructure naming.
- **Railway History:** Documents the development of the Ferrovia Noroeste do Brasil (Northwest Railway of Brazil), a key transportation route in Mato Grosso.
- **Mid-20th-Century Context:** Reflects the political and economic priorities of the Kubitschek administration, which emphasized industrialization and national integration.
- **Geographic Specificity:** Focuses on the state of Mato Grosso, a region critical to Brazil's agricultural and logistical expansion.

## Body

### Enactment and Context
Law No. 3437 was promulgated on August 15, 1958, during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek (1956–1961), a period marked by ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at modernizing Brazil. The law specifically named the railway bridge over the Paraguay River in Mato Grosso "Ponte Presidente Eurico Dutra" to commemorate Eurico Gaspar Dutra, who served as Brazil's president from 1946 to 1951. This action aligned with broader efforts to recognize political leaders' contributions to national development.

### Purpose and Naming
The bridge in question was part of the Ferrovia Noroeste do Brasil, a railway system vital for connecting inland regions to coastal ports. By formally designating the bridge's name, the law aimed to immortalize Dutra's legacy, particularly his role in post-World War II economic policies and infrastructure initiatives. The naming also symbolized the federal government's emphasis on integrating remote areas like Mato Grosso into the national economy.

### Historical Significance
This law is emblematic of Brazil's tradition of using legislation to honor political figures. Such practices reinforced national identity and political continuity, especially during transitions between administrations. The 1958 law coincided with Kubitschek's "Years of Progress" agenda, which prioritized symbolic and practical infrastructure projects—most notably the construction of Brasília, inaugurated in 1960. The bridge naming thus fit within a broader narrative of state-driven modernization.

### Legal Documentation
The law is cataloged in Brazil's LexML system under the identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-08-15;3437` and is accessible via the Brazilian Senate's legislative portal. Its publication in Rio de Janeiro, then the national capital, followed standard procedures for federal legislation at the time. The law's concise text focuses solely on the naming act, reflecting the specific, ceremonial nature of such commemorative statutes.

### Connected Entities
- **Eurico Dutra:** The law's namesake, a former Brazilian president (1946–1951) and military figure.
- **Juscelino Kubitschek:** The sitting president who approved the law, known for his developmentalist policies.
- **Mato Grosso:** The state where the bridge is located, a region integral to Brazil's agricultural and mining sectors.
- **Ferrovia Noroeste do Brasil:** The railway system served by the bridge, critical for transporting goods from western Mato Grosso to ports in Paraná.

### Legacy
While Law No. 3437 is a relatively minor piece of legislation compared to broader policy frameworks of the era, it illustrates how commemorative laws function within Brazil's legal and cultural landscape. Such statutes not only fulfill administrative functions but also serve as tools for historical memory and political symbolism. Today, the law remains a reference for scholars examining the intersection of infrastructure development, political history, and national identity in 20th-century Brazil.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-08-15;3437)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3437&ano=1958&data=15/08/1958&ato=f43ATSE90dRRVT2d3)
3. LexML Brasil