File #: Res 0443-2014    Version: * Name: Recognizes the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the US. (H.R.85)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 10/22/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H. Res. 85, which recognizes the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the United States.
Sponsors: Fernando Cabrera , Margaret S. Chin, Laurie A. Cumbo, Daniel Dromm , Mathieu Eugene, Vanessa L. Gibson, Peter A. Koo, Rosie Mendez, Antonio Reynoso, Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Helen K. Rosenthal, Inez D. Barron, Deborah L. Rose, Ydanis A. Rodriguez, Mark Levine, David G. Greenfield, Daniel R. Garodnick, I. Daneek Miller, Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., Ritchie J. Torres, James Vacca, Costa G. Constantinides, Annabel Palma, Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., Andy L. King, Carlos Menchaca, Jumaane D. Williams, James G. Van Bramer, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Eric A. Ulrich
Council Member Sponsors: 30
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2017*Fernando Cabrera City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
10/22/2014*Fernando Cabrera City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
10/22/2014*Fernando Cabrera City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 443

 

Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H. Res. 85, which recognizes the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the United States.

 

By Council Members Cabrera, Chin, Cumbo, Dromm, Eugene, Gibson, Koo, Mendez, Reynoso, Ferreras-Copeland, Rosenthal, Barron, Rose, Rodriguez, Levine, Greenfield, Garodnick, Miller, Cornegy, Torres, Vacca, Constantinides, Palma, Espinal, King, Menchaca, Williams, Van Bramer, Salamanca and Ulrich

 

Whereas, Migration from the Dominican Republic to the United States began in the 1960s, in the wake of economic and political turbulence that occurred after dictator Rafael Trujillo was killed by rebels in 1961 and the United States military and other government agencies intervened, according to the Migration Policy Institute; and

Whereas, Since 1990, the immigrant population from the Dominican Republic residing in the United States has been larger than other immigrant populations from the Caribbean, with the exception of immigrants from Cuba, according to the Migration Policy Institute; and

Whereas, Furthermore, the vast majority of immigrants from the Dominican Republic live in the United States compared to other parts of the world; and

Whereas, The Dominican immigrant population in the United States, was approximately 12,000 in 1960, according to the Migration Policy Institute, then it significantly increased to 537,600 in 1990 and 1,414,703 in 2010, according to the Census Bureau; and

Whereas, According to the 2012 American Community Survey, there are currently 1,656,960 individuals of Dominican descent living in the United States, of which 657,489 live in New York City; and

Whereas, In fact, New York City has the largest Dominican population in the United States, according to the latest Census Bureau data; and

Whereas, Dominicans are also New York City’s largest immigrant group since 1990, according to the Department of City Planning report The Newest New Yorkers 2013

Edition; and

Whereas, Dominican-Americans have made significant contributions to the United States in several fields including government, finance, education, sports, fashion, the arts and sciences; and

Whereas, Thomas Perez, the current United States Secretary of Labor, born in Buffalo, New York, is the first Dominican-American to be named a member of the Cabinet; and

Whereas, Other notable Dominican-Americans include New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez, former New York Yankee Robinson Canó, former New York Met Pedro Martínez, actress Zoe Saldana, author Junot Díaz, NASA Aerospace Engineer and Aerospace Technologist Dr. Víctor A. Carreño, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction and former of Dean of Columbia University School of Engineering Feniosky Peña-Mora, financial analyst Cid Wilson, and fashion designer Oscar de la Renta as well as several elected officials across the country, including elected in New York State and New York City; and

Whereas, H. Res. 85, sponsored by Congressman Charles Rangel, would recognize the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the United States; and

Whereas, This legislation would support the establishment of a national month to celebrate and honor Dominican heritage between January 21st, the Day of the Procession of Altagracia, the Dominican Republic’s most important religious celebration, and February 27rd, the Dominican Republic’s Independence Day; and

Whereas, A national month celebrating Dominican culture would also be appropriate during this period because every year in the month of February, the Dominican people celebrate Carnival, the most festive event in the Dominican Republic where participants dress in colorful masks and costumes and dance in the street; and

 

Whereas, This legislation would also urge 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; and

Whereas, It is important to acknowledge all people, including Dominicans, who contribute culturally and economically to our country; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H. Res. 85, which recognizes the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the United States.

 

LS #2040

8/1/14

TC

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