# Law No. 4069-a of June 12, 1962

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648248](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648248)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4069-a-of-june-12-1962

## Summary
Law No. 4069-a of June 12, 1962, is a Brazilian statute that established the *Fundação Universidade do Amazonas* (University of Amazonas Foundation) and authorized special budgetary adjustments. Approved by President João Goulart, it aimed to expand higher education infrastructure in the Amazonas state, under the oversight of the Ministry of Education. The law remains a key legal instrument in Brazil’s educational and administrative history.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** June 12, 1962.  
- **Approved By:** President João Goulart (Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil).  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4069-a/1962.  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically targeting the Amazonas state.  
- **Primary Purpose:** Creation of the *Fundação Universidade do Amazonas* (now the Federal University of Amazonas).  
- **Key Provisions:** Authorized special budgetary allocations (*crédito especial*) for administrative and educational restructuring.  
- **Language:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese.  
- **Publication Details:** Published in Brasília, with the full text available via the LexML Brazil database (URN: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-06-12;4069-a`).  
- **Associated Entities:** Ministry of Education (Mec), Amazonas state, and the Federal University of Amazonas.  
- **Legal Digest:** "CRIA A FUNDAÇÃO UNIVERSIDADE DO AMAZONAS E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS" ("Creates the University of Amazonas Foundation and Other Provisions").  

## FAQs
**What was the main objective of Law No. 4069-a?**  
The law established the *Fundação Universidade do Amazonas* (University of Amazonas Foundation), a critical step in expanding higher education access in the Amazonas region, and authorized special budgetary measures to support its implementation.  

**Who approved Law No. 4069-a?**  
The law was approved by President João Goulart on June 12, 1962, during his tenure as head of the Brazilian government.  

**Where does this law apply?**  
The law applies to the Federative Republic of Brazil, with specific focus on the Amazonas state, where the university was created.  

**Is the full text of the law publicly available?**  
Yes, the complete text is accessible via the official Brazilian legislative database at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4069-a.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4069-a.htm).  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4069-a is significant for advancing educational infrastructure in Brazil’s Amazonas state, a historically underdeveloped region. By creating the *Fundação Universidade do Amazonas*—now a major public university—the law promoted academic access and regional development. The authorization of special budgetary adjustments ensured financial support for this initiative, reflecting broader governmental efforts to address socioeconomic disparities through institutional investment. This statute remains a foundational reference for understanding Brazil’s 20th-century educational policies and administrative reforms.

## Notable For
- **Establishment of a Federal University:** Directly led to the creation of the Federal University of Amazonas, a cornerstone of higher education in northern Brazil.  
- **Budgetary Innovation:** Introduced special financial mechanisms (*crédito especial*) to facilitate institutional growth, demonstrating legislative strategies for targeted public spending.  
- **Regional Focus:** Highlighted governmental prioritization of the Amazonas region, aligning with broader national development goals.  
- **Presidential Legacy:** Tied to President João Goulart’s administrative agenda, contextualizing the law within Brazil’s political history.  

## Body

### Legislative Context and Creation
Law No. 4069-a was enacted on June 12, 1962, during the presidency of João Goulart, a period marked by political instability and efforts to consolidate democratic governance. The statute emerged from legislative processes focused on expanding public services, particularly in education, to address regional disparities. It was published in Brasília, the federal capital, and codified as a federal law applicable nationwide, though its primary impact was localized to the Amazonas state.

### Key Provisions and Impact
The law’s central provision established the *Fundação Universidade do Amazonas*, institutionalizing higher education in a region historically lacking such resources. This move aligned with the Ministry of Education’s broader mission to democratize access to academia. Additionally, the law authorized *crédito especial* (special budgetary adjustments), enabling flexible financial allocations to support the university’s operational and infrastructural needs. These measures underscored the government’s commitment to long-term educational investment, recognizing the role of institutions like the Federal University of Amazonas in driving regional economic and social progress.

### Historical and Administrative Significance
Law No. 4069-a reflects Brazil’s mid-20th-century efforts to modernize its administrative framework. The creation of the university exemplified a shift toward decentralized development strategies, aiming to reduce socioeconomic gaps between Amazonas and more industrialized regions like São Paulo. The statute’s focus on organizational structure (*organização administrativa*) also highlights bureaucratic reforms typical of the era, emphasizing efficiency and targeted resource distribution. Today, the law remains a reference point for scholars analyzing the intersection of education policy, regional development, and legislative action in Brazil.

### Connected Entities and Legacy
The law is intrinsically linked to the **Federal University of Amazonas** (UFAM), which evolved from the original foundation and now serves as a major research and educational hub. It also connects to the **Ministry of Education (Mec)**, underscoring the ministry’s historical role in shaping Brazil’s academic landscape. Within the broader context of Brazilian law, the statute exemplifies the use of legislative tools to address systemic challenges, such as regional inequality, through institutional creation and fiscal policy. Its legacy endures in UFAM’s continued operation and the broader network of federal universities established across Brazil during the 20th century.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-06-12;4069-a)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4069-A&ano=1962&data=12/06/1962&ato=167QTR61kMVRVT951)
3. LexML Brasil