Madrid, July 15, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Today, in Madrid, at the El Pardo Royal Palace, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received the "Cipriano Garcia" award, for his social and political leadership, as will as his efforts in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. Cipriano Garcia was a union leader and key political figure in the Catalonian labor movement, as well as being a founder of the Workers Commissions union. The prize is bestowed each year by the "Green Catalonia Initiative" party on people, organizations, and groups that have distinguished themselves for their social or political initiatives on behalf of improved living and working conditions. (DAS)