# Law No. 5967 of December 11, 1973

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659832](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659832)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-5967-of-december-11-1973

## Summary
Law No. 5967 of December 11, 1973, is a Brazilian statute that officially renamed the Manaus Supersonic Airport in the state of Amazonas to honor aviation pioneer **João Ribeiro Gonçalves**. Enacted during the military government of President Emílio Garrastazu Médici, the law reflects Brazil’s efforts to recognize contributions to national aviation infrastructure. It is classified as a public domain legal document under Brazilian law.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** December 11, 1973  
- **Country:** Brazil  
- **Official Title:** "Lei nº 5967, de 11 de dezembro de 1973"  
- **Purpose:** Renamed the "Aeroporto Supersonico de Manaus" (Manaus Supersonic Airport) to "Aeroporto João Ribeiro Gonçalves"  
- **Related Entity:** Statute (formal written law)  
- **Approved By:** President Emílio Garrastazu Médici  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 5967/1973  
- **Publication Date:** December 11, 1973  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil  
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese  
- **LexML ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1973-12-11;5967  
- **Full Text Available:** [Planalto Government Portal](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l5967.htm)  

## FAQs
**What does Law No. 5967 of 1973 do?**  
This law renames the Manaus Supersonic Airport in Amazonas, Brazil, to honor João Ribeiro Gonçalves, recognizing his contributions to aviation in the region.  

**Why was the airport renamed?**  
The renaming aimed to commemorate João Ribeiro Gonçalves, a figure associated with the development of aviation infrastructure in Amazonas, reflecting Brazil’s practice of honoring notable individuals through public works designations.  

**Is this law still in effect?**  
Yes, the law remains valid as part of Brazil’s statutory framework, though subsequent legislation or administrative actions may have updated aviation-related policies in the region.  

**How does this law relate to Brazil’s aviation history?**  
It underscores the government’s mid-20th-century focus on expanding aviation infrastructure in the Amazon, a strategic region for economic and military development during the military dictatorship era (1964–1985).  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 5967 of 1973 matters as a historical marker of Brazil’s efforts to modernize its aviation sector and integrate the Amazon region into national development plans. By renaming a key airport, the law symbolizes the state’s recognition of individual contributions to public service and infrastructure growth. It also highlights the military government’s emphasis on symbolic gestures to bolster national identity and regional pride, particularly during a period of accelerated economic and logistical expansion in the Amazon. The law’s focus on aviation infrastructure further underscores Brazil’s long-standing challenge of connecting its vast, remote territories through strategic investments.

## Notable For
- **Specific Honorary Renaming:** Unique example of Brazilian legislation commemorating a local aviation pioneer through infrastructure designation.  
- **Military-Era Policy:** Reflects the priorities of Brazil’s 1964–1985 military regime, which emphasized national integration and logistical development in the Amazon.  
- **Regional Significance:** Tied to the strategic importance of Manaus and the state of Amazonas in Brazil’s economic and territorial ambitions.  
- **Public Domain Status:** As a government statute, it is freely accessible and exempt from copyright restrictions in Brazil.  

## Body

### Historical Context
Law No. 5967 was enacted on December 11, 1973, during the presidency of **Emílio Garrastazu Médici** (1969–1974), a period marked by accelerated economic growth and infrastructure development under Brazil’s military dictatorship. The law responded to a broader national strategy to expand aviation access to the Amazon region, critical for military, economic, and social integration. The Manaus Supersonic Airport, later renamed, played a role in connecting remote areas to major urban centers, facilitating resource extraction and territorial control.

### Legal and Legislative Details
- **Approval Process:** The law was promulgated by President Médici, following standard legislative procedures for statutes in Brazil’s federal system.  
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically targeting the state of Amazonas and the municipality of Manaus.  
- **Naming Significance:** The honoree, **João Ribeiro Gonçalves**, was recognized for his role in advancing aviation in Amazonas, though specific details of his contributions are not elaborated in the law’s text.  

### Aviation Infrastructure in the Amazon
The renaming of the airport underscores the historical importance of aviation in bridging Brazil’s geographically fragmented regions. During the 1970s, the military government prioritized projects like the **Amazon Integration System** (Sistema de Integração da Amazônia), which relied on air transport to overcome logistical challenges posed by the rainforest. The Manaus airport, now named after Gonçalves, supported both civilian and military operations, reflecting its dual role in national security and economic development.

### Legacy and Impact
While Law No. 5967 is a focused statutory act, its significance lies in its representation of broader themes:  
1. **Symbolic Recognition:** The law exemplifies Brazil’s tradition of honoring public figures through infrastructure names, a practice that reinforces civic identity and national unity.  
2. **Regional Development:** It highlights the Amazon’s strategic importance, a region that has been central to Brazil’s geopolitical ambitions and resource-driven growth.  
3. **Military Government Priorities:** The 1973 law aligns with the dictatorship-era narrative of "order and progress," emphasizing state-led modernization and territorial consolidation.  

Today, the renamed **Aeroporto João Ribeiro Gonçalves** (now part of Manaus’s broader air transport network) continues to serve as a functional and historical landmark, linking past development efforts to contemporary challenges of sustaining infrastructure in the Amazon.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1973-12-11;5967)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=5967&ano=1973&data=11/12/1973&ato=1f9MTTq5EenRVT385)
3. LexML Brasil