(Ordem de Rio Branco). Instituted in 1963. Grand Officer Badge: two-piece construction, in silver gilt with navy blue and white enamels, measuring 62.3 mm in diameter, intact enamel, on its full-length neck ribbon; Breast Star: insignia in silver gilt with navy blue enamels, mounted to an eight-point silver star base with multiple emanating rays, measuring 81.5 mm (w) x 81 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels; Miniature: two-piece construction, in silver gilt with navy blue and white enamels, measuring 18.8 mm (w) x 20.5 mm (h), with rosette affixed to its original ribbon, crazing evident in the white enamels on the arm at 12 o'clock; and Lapel Rosette: measuring 9.3 mm in diameter. Extremely fine. In their hardshelled case of issue, simulated navy blue leather-look exterior, image of the Order in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid lined in white satin, medal bed in navy blue felt and slotted for the Breast Star, measuring 138 mm (w) x 263 mm (h) x 42.8 mm (d), case also extremely fine. Accompanied by an Award Document Named to Jim Kolbe (inscribed in Portuguese, in running script "O Presidente da República Federativa do Brasil, Grao-Mestre da Ordem de Rio Branco, houve por bem outorgar ao Excelentissimo Senhor Seputado Jim Kolbe, denacionalidade norte americana, o grau de Grande Oficial da mesma Ordem, por Decreto de 2.5 de setembre de 2001. / E para constar, mandou expedir lhe o presente diploma, que vai por mim assinado e seladocom o selo da Ordem. / Brasilia, 26 de seiembre de 2001, 180° da Independencia e 115° da Republica. / Chanceler da Ordem" (The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Grand Master of the Order of Rio Branco, decided to grant the Honorable Mr. Jim Kolbe, of North American nationality, the degree of Grand Officer of the same Order, by Decree of 2.5 of September 2001. / And for the record, he had the present diploma sent to him, which I signed and sealed with the seal of the Order. / Brasilia, September 26, 2001, 180° from Independence and 115° from the Republic. / Chancellor of the Order), signed by the Chancellor, embossed stamped with the seal of the Order, printed in black, navy blue and gold-coloured inks, on a thick white paper stock, measuring 232 mm (w) x 340 mm (h), in its presentation folder, navy blue simulated leather-look exterior, image of the Order in gold-coloured ink on the cover, measuring 253 mm (w) x 348 mm (h), scuff mark on the reverse).
Footnote:
1. The Order of Rio Branco was instituted on February 5, 1963 by President João Goulart and is awarded for distinguished service to the nation, in five grades: I Class Grand Cross, II Class Grand Officer, III Class Commander, IV Class Officer and V Class Knight.
2. James Thomas Kolbe (born June 28, 1942) is an American politician and former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Arizona's 5th congressional district, 1985-2003 and 8th congressional district, 2003-2007.
3. The Congressional Brazil Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of the United States House of Representatives, whose goal is to protect and preserve the U.S.'s relationship with Brazil, and increase the economic interaction between the two countries. Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) founded the caucus in 1999 as a way to "improve dialogue and trade relations between the United States and Brazil."