2012 -- H 7677

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LC01734

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 168TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

INDEPENDENCE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2012

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Messier, Valencia, and Cimini

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, On February 27, the people of the Dominican Republic, and all free people,

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will celebrate 168 years of Dominican Independence; and

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     WHEREAS, The seat of the original capital of the Spanish New World, the Dominican

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Republic proclaims a host of American firsts: the first permanent European settlement, the first

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university, the first church, the first cathedral, the first mass, and the first royal court; and

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     WHEREAS, The French established the colony of Haiti on the western part of the island,

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and in 1804 the slaves there revolted, achieving freedom. In 1822, the Haitians gained control

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over the entire island for the next 22 years until 1844, when the Dominican Republic became

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liberated from Haitian domination. On February 27, 1844, the Declaration of Independence was

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written by Juan Pablo Duarte, Franscisco del Rosaro Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella; and

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     WHEREAS, The Dominican Republic's record for free and fair elections sets an example

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for emerging democracies the world over; and

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     WHEREAS, Today, the Dominican Republic has a close relationship with the United

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States and has been supportive of many U.S. initiatives, including the fight against trafficking in

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illegal substances. The Dominican Republic has accredited diplomatic missions in most Western

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Hemisphere countries and in principal European capitals, and belongs to many world

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organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Labor

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Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation

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Organization, and the Inter-American Development Bank; and

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     WHEREAS, The over one million Dominicans now residing in the United States are an

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important element in the special relationship between the two countries. Rhode Island's

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Dominicans number among the state's smaller ethnic groups but the community imparts a rich

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history and vitality through their presence in Rhode Island. The strong business ethic within

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Rhode Island's Dominican community and local businesses owned by Dominican immigrants are

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evidenced by their myriad contributions, greatly adding to the economic vitality of our state; and

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     WHEREAS, The Dominican-American community plays another essential role through

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their representation in the United States Armed Services. Many Dominican-Americans have made

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the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives defending America's liberty, security, and freedoms; now,

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therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the 168th Anniversary of Dominican Republic

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Independence on February 27, 2012, and proudly recognizes the significant contributions that

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Dominicans have made to the State of Rhode Island and the United States; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Excellency President Leonel Fernandez.

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LC01734

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