IV 

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 DominicanAmericans; 

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; 


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•HRES 72 IH 

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; 


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•HRES 72 IH 

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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Dominican 

3 Heritage Month; 

4 (2) supports the establishment of a national 

5 month of Recognition for Dominican-Americans to 

6 honor the Dominican people and their contributions; 

7 and 

8 (3) urges the people of the United States to ob9 serve a national month of recognition for Domini10 can-Americans with appropriate ceremonies, pro11 grams, and activities. 

Æ 


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