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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 72 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 72

      Supporting the goals and ideals of Dominican Heritage Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 30, 2017

Mr. Espaillat submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
            the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
      Supporting the goals and ideals of Dominican Heritage Month.

Whereas the House of Representatives is proud to recognize and commemorate 
        Dominican Heritage Month, an observance that celebrates the 
        contributions of Dominican-Americans;
Whereas, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, we recognize and pay 
        tribute to those who foster cultural pride and enhance the profile of 
        diverse communities across the United States;
Whereas since the initial wave of Dominican migration in the 1960s to the most 
        recent arrivals of today, Dominicans have worked hard to contribute to 
        the national identity of the United States, educating people on their 
        customs and enriching the quality of the Nation's shared future;
Whereas the Dominican Republic enjoys a well-built relationship with the United 
        States on trade and investment that has expanded since the Dominican 
        Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 
        entered into force on March 1, 2007;
Whereas contributions from Dominican-Americans can be found in every facet of 
        United States life, including fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, 
        Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, and 
        baseball giant David Ortiz, known as ``Big Papi'';
Whereas many of the hemisphere's first institutions were established on the 
        shores of the Dominican Republic, including the first cathedral and the 
        oldest university;
Whereas Dominicans are freedom loving people who first began their campaign for 
        their independence in 1831 under the leadership of Juan Pablo Duarte, 
        who formed a secret political military organization named La Trinitaria 
        (The Trinity) that led to the end of the Haitian occupation and 
        transformed the Dominican Republic into an independent, self-sufficient 
        nation;
Whereas, after the long and hard fought campaign for freedom from Haiti, a 
        ceremonial musket shot fired on February 27, 1844, marked the Dominican 
        Republic's first official Independence Day;
Whereas it is appropriate that the United States reserve the period between 
        January 21 to February 27 to celebrate and honor Dominican heritage;
Whereas it would be befitting to celebrate Dominican heritage beginning on 
        January 21, The Day of the Procession of Altagracia, the Dominican 
        Republic's most important religious celebration;
Whereas it would also be befitting to end the period of Dominican heritage on 
        February 27, the Dominican Republic's Independence Day;
Whereas it would give the Nation the opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the 
        economic, cultural, and social contributions Dominican-Americans have 
        made to the United States; and
Whereas it would also give the Nation an opportunity to consider the many 
        Dominican achievements, on the island and in the United States: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Dominican Heritage 
        Month;
            (2) supports the establishment of a national month of 
        Recognition for Dominican-Americans to honor the Dominican 
        people and their contributions; and
            (3) urges the people of the United States to observe a 
        national month of recognition for Dominican-Americans with 
        appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
                                 <all>
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