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COMMEMORATING THE 157TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC INDEPENDENCE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2001

WHEREAS, The seat of the original capitol of the Spanish New World, the Dominican Republic claims 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 in the western part of the island and the slaves there revolted and gained freedom in 1804. In 1822, the Haitians gained control over the entire island for 22 years, until 1844 when the Dominican Republic became freed of Haitian Domination. On February 27, 1844, the declaration of independence was written by Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosaro Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella; 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 the traffic 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 Developmental Bank; and

WHEREAS, An important element of the relationship between the two countries is the more than one million Dominicans residing in the United States. If by size, Rhode Island's Dominicans are to be numbered among the State's smaller ethnic groups, the community boasts a rich history and unequaled vitality since residing in Rhode Island. There is a strong business ethic within Rhode Island's Dominican community and local businesses owned by Dominican immigrants have contributed greatly to the economic vitality of the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the 157^th Anniversary of Dominican Republic Independence on February 27, 2001 and recognizes the significant contributions that Dominicans have made to the State of Rhode Island to the United States.