# Law No. 8917 of July 13, 1994

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647517](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647517)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-8917-of-july-13-1994

## Summary
**Law No. 8917 of July 13, 1994** (Lei nº 8.917) is a Brazilian federal statute that officially confers the honorary title of "Patron of Ecology of Brazil" (Patrono da Ecologia do Brasil) upon the scientist and researcher Augusto Ruschi. Enacted by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President Itamar Franco, the law serves as a formal state recognition of Ruschi's contributions to science and the environment. It is classified as a formal written document creating legal norms within the jurisdiction of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 8.917, de 13 de julho de 1994.
- **Subject:** Confers the title of "Patrono da Ecologia do Brasil" (Patron of Ecology of Brazil) to Augusto Ruschi.
- **Recipient:** Augusto Ruschi, identified in the law digest as a scientist and researcher.
- **Enactment Date:** July 13, 1994.
- **Sanctioning Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **President:** Itamar Franco (determined via promulgation on July 13, 1994).
- **Publication Place:** Brasília, Federal District, Brazil.
- **Legal Classification:** Statute (instance of formal written document creating law).
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 8.917/1994.
- **Lexml URN:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-07-13;8917`
- **Official URL:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1989_1994/l8917.htm`.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 8.917?**
The sole purpose of this statute is to grant an honorary distinction. It officially awards the title of "Patron of Ecology of Brazil" to the scientist and researcher Augusto Ruschi.

**Who signed Law No. 8.917 into force?**
The law was approved and promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, acting under President Itamar Franco, on July 13, 1994.

**Where is the official text of Law No. 8.917 accessible?**
The legal text is part of the public domain and can be accessed via the Brazilian government's official portal at the Planalto website (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1989_1994/l8917.htm`) and identified by the Lexml ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-07-13;8917`.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 8.917 matters as a formal legal instrument of cultural and environmental recognition within the Brazilian state. By elevating a scientist to the status of a national "Patron," the legislature and executive branches formally codified the importance of ecology and scientific research into the nation's legal history. It serves as a concrete manifestation of statutory law, transforming a symbolic honor into an official act of the Federative Republic with lasting legal standing. Furthermore, it represents the exercise of governmental authority during the administration of President Itamar Franco, a period noted for significant political and economic stabilization in Brazil.

## Notable For
- **National Honorific:** It is the specific legal vehicle that established Augusto Ruschi as the "Patron of Ecology of Brazil."
- **Historical Context:** Enacted in 1994, shortly before the implementation of the Brazilian Real (which occurred on July 1, 1994, under the same administration), placing it within a pivotal era of Brazilian history.
- **Legal Status:** As a statute, it is a formal written document that creates law and is generally considered part of the public domain (edict of government), ensuring unrestricted public access.
- **Specific Classification:** It is a distinct example of a law with the "main subject" of a "title of honor" (título de honra).

## Body

### Legislative Definition and Content
Law No. 8.917 is a Brazilian statute enacted on July 13, 1994. Its legal digest defines its scope clearly: "CONCEDE O TITULO DE 'PATRONO DA ECOLOGIA DO BRASIL' AO CIENTISTA E PESQUISADOR AUGUSTO RUSCHI" (Grants the title of 'Patron of Ecology of Brazil' to the scientist and researcher Augusto Ruschi). The law functions as a specific legal act conferring a distinct honor, categorizing the statute's primary subject as a "title of honor."

### Enactment and Authority
The statute was processed through the official legislative channels of Brazil and sanctioned by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The promulgation occurred on July 13, 1994, under the authority of **President Itamar Franco**. The official place of publication was **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil.

### Jurisdiction and Classification
The entity applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil** (officially the Federative Republic of Brazil). It is classified as an **instance of a statute**, defined formally as a written work and a rule that creates law. As a legal document, it is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**. The law is cataloged under the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws** on knowledge platforms, signifying its relevance to the organized documentation of Brazilian legal history.

### Identification and Access
The law is indexed in legal databases with the specific identifier **Lei nº 8.917/1994**. In the Brazilian Legal XML system (Lexml), it is assigned the Uniform Resource Name: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-07-13;8917`. The full text is digitally preserved and accessible to the public via the official government website of the Presidência da República.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-07-13;8917)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=8917&ano=1994&data=13/07/1994&ato=233QzZE50dJpWT94d)
3. LexML Brasil