PRINTER'S NO. 3263
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
719
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BURGOS, KORTZ, DONATUCCI, KAUFFMAN, KIM, HILL-
EVANS, FREEMAN, SCHLOSSBERG, CRUZ, KINSEY, VITALI,
HOHENSTEIN, MILLARD, NEILSON, HEFFLEY, MULLERY, KOSIEROWSKI,
YOUNGBLOOD, DELLOSO, DEASY, MURT, HOWARD, GAINEY, McCLINTON,
GALLOWAY, ROEBUCK, SCHWEYER, MALAGARI, TOOHIL AND CIRESI,
FEBRUARY 4, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 27, 2020, as "Dominican Republic
Independence Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On February 27, 2020, the Dominican Republic is
celebrating the anniversary of its independence from Haiti in
1844; and
WHEREAS, Before the Dominican Republic declared its
independence, the shared island of Hispaniola had been under
Haitian rule for more than two decades after centuries of
colonialism, first by the Spanish and then by the French; and
WHEREAS, Nationalist Juan Pablo Duarte helped organize the
war against the Haitian regime and is considered one of the
Dominican Republic's founding fathers; and
WHEREAS, "Dominican Republic Independence Day" coincides with
Carnaval, which is celebrated the entire month of February with
parades, competitions and spirited events; and
WHEREAS, The Dominican Republic is an important partner to
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the United States in hemispheric affairs due to its standing as
the Caribbean's second-largest economy and third-largest country
in terms of population and land mass, its large bilateral trade
with the United States and its proximity to the United States
and other Caribbean nations; and
WHEREAS, The family unit within Dominican society is
incredibly important and has formed the basis of stability
throughout all of the Dominican Republic's political and
economic upheaval; and
WHEREAS, Whenever possible, the extended family, which
usually encompasses three generations, lives within the same
vicinity; and
WHEREAS, Family loyalty is a deeply ingrained characteristic
of the Dominican people; and
WHEREAS, The Dominican Republic is well-known as the homeland
of much of Major League Baseball, but it is also known for
fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, "Orange is The New Black"
actress Dascha Polanco, Maryland State Delegate Joseline Peña-
Melnyk, NASA aerospace engineer and inventor Dr. Victor Carreño,
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Junot Díaz and countless other
accomplished individuals; and
WHEREAS, Dominicans are the fifth-largest population of
Hispanic origin living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Dominican-American community contributes to our
nation's economic vitality and culture while maintaining a deep
connection with its Dominican roots; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
February 27, 2020, as "Dominican Republic Independence Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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