2004 -- S 3230

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LC03762

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004

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

CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE DR. LEONEL FERNANDEZ ON BEING

ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FOR A SECOND TERM

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: June 24, 2004

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, On Sunday, May 16, 2004, Dr. Leonel Fernandez was elected President of

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the Dominican Republic for a second time. His election offers the citizens of the Dominican

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Republic high hopes for the future of the country; and

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     WHEREAS, Born on December 26, 1953 in Santo Domingo, Dr. Fernandez moved to

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New York City with his family when he was just a child. He attended high school in New York

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City but returned to the Dominican Republic to attend Autonomous University of Santo

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Domingo; and

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     WHEREAS, During his college years, Dr. Fernandez became energized with the onset of

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new and progressive ideas emerging on the political scene in the Dominican Republic. He and a

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multitude of his fellow students joined esteemed Professor Juan Bosch in founding the

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Dominican Liberation Party in 1973; and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Fernandez continued his education, while remaining active on the issues

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of the day. In 1978, he earned his degree of Juris Doctor with honors and went on to accumulate

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a myriad of honors. He was awarded the "J. Humberto Doucudray" award, and received

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numerous Honoris Causa Degrees from various prominent universities, including the Sorbonne

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University, Harvard University, Universidad Pedro Henriquez Urena and Seton Hall University;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Fernandez, a consummate reader, gifted communicator and fluent in the

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English and French languages, is renowned as one of the most brilliant academicians and

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professionals of his generation. Utilizing his many talents and offerings, Dr. Fernandez is

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working towards the betterment of his beloved country, the Dominican Republic; and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Fernandez strengthened Dominican ties with CARICOM and Central

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American nations, and integrated the country into the Rio group and ACP Nations. These

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accomplishments earned him his first term as head of the Dominican government, making him

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the youngest President of the Dominican Republic in this century; and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Fernandez's first term as President of the Dominican Republic in 1996

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through 2000 was characterized as a period of modernization, open government and great

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investment on both a local and international level. His innovative style of leadership reaped

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economic advantages for the country as the economy saw growth of approximately 7.8% annually

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during his tenure; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon leaving office in 2000, Dr. Fernandez continued to contribute to the

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development of the Dominican Republic and the Latin American region. He established the

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Global Foundation for Democracy and Development, a nonprofit institute whose mission is to

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analyze issues that are vital to the nation and its international relationships, brainstorm innovative

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strategies and proposals, initiate public policies, enhance the quality of national debate, and

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promote the essential training of local human resources; and

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     WHEREAS, In January of 2002, almost thirty years after helping to found the

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organization, Dr. Fernandez was elected President of the Dominican Liberation Party. In 2004,

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he was re-elected to a second term as President of the Dominican Republic. A noteworthy aspect

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of the election was that for the first time Dominicans who live outside their native country could

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cast a vote for their chosen candidate at local polling stations; and

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

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States and the international community, belonging to the many world organizations, including the

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United Nations, the World Bank, the International Labor Organization, the International Atomic

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Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Inter-American

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Developmental Bank; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Dominicans number among the state's smaller ethnic groups

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but the community imparts a rich history and vitality through their presence in the state. The

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strong business ethic within Rhode Island's Dominican community and local businesses owned

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by Dominican immigrants are evidenced by the myriad of contributions that greatly add to the

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economic vitality of our state; and

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     WHEREAS, Mutual projects between the sister cities of Santa Domingo and Providence

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have and will continue to help the Dominican Republic regain lost foreign capital, help to create

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incentives for foreign investment, and will create the necessary foreign exchange that the

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Dominican Republic needs to bring down the exchange rate, revalue the Dominican peso, and

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help control inflation, thus increasing the buying power of Dominicans; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby congratulates Dr. Leonel Fernandez on his election as President of the Dominican

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Republic for a second term; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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joins the City of Providence in working to improve and strengthen the newly forged ties between

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our governments, to the ultimate advantage and benefit of all the citizens of this state and the

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people of the Dominican Republic; and be it further

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

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President Elect of the

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Dominican Republic, the Dominican Liberation Party, the Global Foundation for Democracy and

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Development, and the Rhode Island Dominican Library.

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LC03762

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