# Law No. 3559 of June 5, 1959

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648797](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648797)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3559-of-june-5-1959

## Summary
Law No. 3559 of June 5, 1959, is a Brazilian statute that officially renamed the Passo Fundo Airport in the state of Rio Grande do Sul to "Aeroporto Lauro Kurtz" in honor of the pioneering Brazilian aviator Lauro Kurtz. Enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, this law formalized the tribute to Kurtz’s contributions to Brazilian aviation. It remains a specific example of commemorative legislation in Brazil’s legal history.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** June 5, 1959.
- **Country:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3559, de 5 de junho de 1959.
- **Approved By:** Presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek.
- **Purpose:** Renamed the Passo Fundo Airport to "Aeroporto Lauro Kurtz."
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3559/1959.
- **Publication Date:** June 5, 1959.
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil, specifically Rio Grande do Sul.
- **Language:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-06-05;3559.
- **Wikimedia Project:** Part of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What does Law No. 3559 of 1959 accomplish?**  
This law renames the Passo Fundo Airport in Rio Grande do Sul to honor Lauro Kurtz, a notable figure in Brazilian aviation history.  

**Who enacted this law?**  
It was approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek, who signed the legislation into effect on June 5, 1959.  

**Where does this law apply?**  
The law specifically pertains to the municipality of Passo Fundo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.  

**Why is this law notable?**  
It serves as a commemorative measure to recognize Lauro Kurtz’s contributions to aviation, reflecting Brazil’s practice of honoring historical figures through infrastructure naming.  

**Is the law still relevant today?**  
Yes, the airport retains the name "Aeroporto Lauro Kurtz," ensuring the law’s lasting impact on Brazilian aviation heritage.  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3559 of 1959 holds significance as a tribute to Lauro Kurtz, a pioneer in Brazilian aviation who played a key role in developing air routes and infrastructure in the early 20th century. By formalizing the airport’s renaming, the law underscores Brazil’s tradition of commemorating national heroes through legislative acts. This statute also highlights the broader role of aviation in Brazil’s mid-20th-century modernization efforts under President Kubitschek, aligning with his vision of infrastructural progress. The law remains a reference point for understanding how Brazilian legislation intersects with cultural and historical preservation.

## Notable For
- **Commemorative Legislation:** Serves as a rare example of a law enacted solely to honor an individual’s contributions to a specific field (aviation).  
- **Aviation Heritage:** Directly ties to Brazil’s early aviation history and the development of regional infrastructure.  
- **Presidential Legacy:** Reflects Juscelino Kubitschek’s administrative focus on modernization and national pride.  
- **Geographical Specificity:** Targets a single municipal airport, demonstrating localized legislative action.  
- **Enduring Recognition:** Ensured the permanent association of Lauro Kurtz’s name with a key transportation hub.  

## Body

### History and Legislative Context
Law No. 3559 was enacted on June 5, 1959, during the administration of President Juscelino Kubitschek (1956–1961), a period marked by significant infrastructural and economic development in Brazil. The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital of Brazil, prior to the transition to Brasília in 1960. It followed standard Brazilian legislative procedures, originating as a draft law before presidential approval and promulgation. The statute’s creation aligns with Kubitschek’s "50 Years of Progress in 5" agenda, which emphasized modernization through symbolic and practical measures, including the renaming of public infrastructure to honor national figures.

### Geographical and Infrastructure Context
The law specifically applies to the municipality of Passo Fundo, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The Passo Fundo Airport, now officially known as Aeroporto Lauro Kurtz, serves as a regional aviation hub. Lauro Kurtz, the namesake, was a Brazilian aviation pioneer who contributed to the expansion of air transport networks in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in southern Brazil. The renaming reflects Kurtz’s local and national significance, commemorating his role in connecting remote regions through aviation during a critical period of Brazilian development.

### Legal and Historical Significance
This statute exemplifies Brazil’s practice of using legislation to preserve historical memory. By codifying the airport’s name change, the law ensures the formal recognition of Kurtz’s legacy within Brazil’s legal framework. It also underscores the intersection of aviation history and public policy, illustrating how infrastructure projects and commemorative acts have been used to foster national identity. The law’s specificity—targeting a single airport—distinguishes it from broader statutory measures, emphasizing its role in localized historical preservation rather than national regulatory reform.

### Current Status and Legacy
As of the latest updates, the airport retains the designation "Aeroporto Lauro Kurtz," confirming the law’s enduring effect. The statute remains accessible via the LexML Brazil database (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-06-05;3559) and the Planalto government portal, ensuring transparency and public access. Its legacy extends beyond aviation, serving as a case study in how commemorative legislation shapes Brazil’s cultural and historical landscape. The law is also notable for its inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, highlighting its relevance to scholarly and public interest in Brazilian legal history.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-06-05;3559)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3559&ano=1959&data=05/06/1959&ato=e79cXSU5UMRRVT73a)
3. LexML Brasil