06-R
097
2006 -- H 7714
Enacted 02/28/06
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY
27, 2006 AS "DOMINICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representatives Diaz, Williams, Gemma, Picard, and San Bento
Date Introduced: February
28, 2006
WHEREAS,
On February 27, the people of the Dominican Republic, and all free people,
will
celebrate 162 years of Dominican independence; and
WHEREAS,
The first European experience of the New World took place in 1492 when
Christopher
Columbus landed on the island he called Hispaniola, which in the fullness of
time
would
become Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and
WHEREAS,
Revolution against oppression has been a constant in the history of the
Dominican
Republic, from the slave revolt of 1804, through the mid 19th century struggles
against
the
tyrannies imposed by France and Spain, to the final conflict with Haiti that
resulted in true
independence
in 1844; and
WHEREAS,
Juan Pablo Duarte, the father of Dominican independence, in the company
of
Ramon Matias Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, led his people from
bondage into
liberty,
exhibited degrees of courage, heroism, farsightedness, and vision that elevate
him to the
pantheon
of freedom fighters that includes Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and
the rest
of
America's Founding Fathers; and
WHEREAS,
The Dominican flag, designed by Juan Pablo Duarte to symbolize struggle,
sacrifice,
and progress – all key elements in the history of America's own struggle for
independence
– has become a common and heartwarming sight in the windows of Rhode Island
homes
and storefronts, and on countless local flagpoles; and
WHEREAS,
The Dominican Republic's record of free and fair elections sets an example
for
emerging democracies the world over; and
WHEREAS,
Humankind's common quest for freedom is most powerfully expressed in
the
celebration of successful struggles for independence and the enduring freedom
that results;
now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence
Plantations hereby proclaims February 27, 2006 to be "Dominican
Independence
Day"
in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Excellency Flavio Dario
Espinal.
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LC02641
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