IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 85 
Recognizing the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Dominican- 
Americans to the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 26, 2013 
Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. PIERLUISI, Mr. MORAN, Mr. 
CROWLEY, and Mr. CICILLINE) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the importance of acknowledging the 
contributions of Dominican-Americans to 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 culture 
and traditions and enriching the quality of our shared fu-
tures; 
Whereas Dominican-Americans living on our shores have 
been motivated by the value of hard work and the bonds 
of family, the same pillars of our society that has built 
this great Nation for over 230 years; 
Whereas contributions from Dominican-Americans can be 
found in every facet of United States life, from the many 
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baseball stars in our national pastime, to fashion legend 
Oscar de la Renta, to the thousands of professionals that 
do battle as soldiers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, edu-
cators, and many other public servants; 
Whereas many of our hemisphere’s first institutions were es-
tablished on the shores of the Dominican Republic, in-
cluding 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 society named The Trinity that led to a decisive 
uprising, which resulted in independence for the Domini-
can Republic; 
Whereas after the long and hard fought campaign for free-
dom, 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 re-
ligious celebration; 
Whereas it would also be befitting to end the period of Do-
minican heritage on February 27, the Dominican Repub-
lic’s Independence Day; 
Whereas during the period between January 21 to February 
27 of each year, the Dominican people also celebrate Car-
nival, the biggest, most colorful event in the Dominican 
Republic where participants dress in colorful masks and 
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costumes, crack whips, and dance in the street as a sym-
bol of the end of slavery and Spanish rule; 
Whereas it would give us 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 us 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) recognizes the importance of acknowledging 
the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the 
United States; 
(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 President to issue a proclamation 
calling on the people of the United States to observe 
a national month of recognition for Dominican- 
Americans with appropriate ceremonies, programs, 
and activities. 
Æ 
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