2013 -- H 5517

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LC01096

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 169TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

INDEPENDENCE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2013

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, O'Brien, Cimini, and Almeida

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2013

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, On February 27, the people of the Dominican Republic and all free people,

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will celebrate 169 years of Dominican Independence; and

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     WHEREAS, The seat of the original capital of the Spanish New World, the Dominican

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Republic proclaims a host of American firsts: the first permanent European settlement, the first

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university, the first church, the first cathedral, the first mass, and the first royal court; and

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     WHEREAS, The French established the colony of Haiti on the western part of the island,

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and in 1804 the slaves there revolted, achieving freedom. In 1822, the Haitians gained control

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over the entire island for the next 22 years until 1844, when the Dominican Republic became

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liberated from Haitian domination. On February 27, 1844, the Declaration of Independence was

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written by Juan Pablo Duarte, Franscisco del Rosaro Sanchez, and Ramon Matias Mella; and

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     WHEREAS, The Dominican Republic's record for free and fair elections sets an example

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for emerging democracies the world over; and

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     WHEREAS, Today, the Dominican Republic has a close relationship with the United

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States and has been supportive of many U.S. initiatives, including the fight against trafficking in

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illegal substances. The Dominican Republic has accredited diplomatic missions in most Western

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Hemisphere countries and in principal European capitals, and belongs to many world

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organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Labor

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Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation

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Organization, and the Inter-American Development Bank; and

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     WHEREAS, The almost one and a half million Dominicans now residing in the United

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States are an important element in the special relationship between the two countries. Rhode

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Island's Dominicans number among the state's smaller ethnic groups but the community imparts a

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rich history and vitality through their presence in the Ocean State. The strong business ethic

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within Rhode Island's Dominican community and local businesses owned by Dominican

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immigrants is evidenced by their myriad contributions, greatly adding to the economic vitality of

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our state; and

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     WHEREAS, Dominican-American community members play another essential role

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through their representation in the United States Armed Services. Many Dominican-Americans

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have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives defending America's liberty, security, and

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freedoms; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the 169th Anniversary of Dominican Republic

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Independence on February 27, 2013, and proudly recognizes the significant contributions that

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Dominicans have made to the State of Rhode Island and the United States; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Excellency President Danilo Medina.

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LC01096

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