| R 088 |
| 2015 -- H 5741 Enacted 02/26/2015 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| COMMEMORATING THE 171ST ANNIVERSARY OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC INDEPENDENCE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2015 |
| Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Williams, Almeida, and Tobon |
| Date Introduced: February 26, 2015 |
| WHEREAS, On February 27, the people of the Dominican Republic and all free people, |
| will celebrate 171 years of Dominican Independence; and |
| WHEREAS, The seat of the original capital of the Spanish New World, the Dominican |
| Republic proclaims a host of American firsts: the first permanent European settlement, the first |
| university, the first church, the first cathedral, the first mass, and the first royal court; and |
| WHEREAS, The French established the colony of Haiti on the western part of the island, |
| and in 1804 the slaves there revolted, achieving freedom. In 1822, the Haitians gained control |
| over the entire island for the next 22 years until 1844, when the Dominican Republic became |
| liberated from Haitian domination. On February 27, 1844, the Declaration of Independence was |
| written by Juan Pablo Duarte, Franscisco del Rosaro Sanchez, and Ramon Matias Mella; and |
| WHEREAS, The Dominican Republic's record for free and fair elections sets an example |
| for emerging democracies the world over; and |
| WHEREAS, Today, the Dominican Republic has a close relationship with the United |
| States and has been supportive of many U.S. initiatives, including the fight against trafficking in |
| illegal substances. The Dominican Republic has accredited diplomatic missions in most Western |
| Hemisphere countries and in principal European capitals, and belongs to many world |
| organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Labor |
| Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation |
| Organization, and the Inter-American Development Bank; and |
| WHEREAS, One and a half million Dominicans now reside in the United States and are |
| an important element in the special relationship between the two countries. Rhode Island's |
| Dominicans number among the state's smaller ethnic groups but the community imparts a rich |
| history and vitality through their presence in the Ocean State. The strong business ethic within |
| Rhode Island's Dominican community and local businesses owned by Dominican immigrants is |
| evidenced by their myriad contributions, greatly adding to the economic vitality of our state; and |
| WHEREAS, Dominican-American community members play another essential role |
| through their representation in the United States Armed Services. Many Dominican-Americans |
| have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives defending America's liberty, security, and |
| freedoms; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and |
| Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the 171st Anniversary of Dominican Republic |
| Independence on February 27, 2015, and proudly recognizes the significant contributions that |
| Dominicans have made to the State of Rhode Island and the United States; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Excellency President Danilo Medina. |
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| LC000724 |
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