Adriano Espaillat: “Today is February 27, and we celebrate the 176th anniversary of independence of the Dominican Republic, which gained its…”

“Today is February 27, and we celebrate the 176th anniversary of independence of the Dominican Republic, which gained its independence in 1844 from the Republic of Haiti. Led by Juan Pablo Duarte, Sanchez, and Mella, this island nation moved forward under great adversity. Throughout its 176 years, it has endured military occupation, dictatorship, and other strong and determining challenges. But throughout these many decades, the nation has prevailed. Today, we enjoy the presence of over 2 million Dominicans in the United States, many of them in New York State, and many of them in the 13th Congressional District, particularly in Washington Heights. We see many streets in the neighborhood named after some of the patriarchs of the nation. We have Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard, Manolo Tavarez Justo Way, Mateo Rojas Alou Street, Miguel Amaro Way, Freddy Beras-Goico Way. We also have schools named after very prominent members of that community. Salome Urena School, the Mirabal Sisters School, Juan Pablo Duarte School, the Juan Bosch School. We also have a huge parade, which now goes down Sixth Avenue, but originally started right there on Audubon Avenue in Northern Manhattan. We have social and cultural institutions like Club Deportivo Dominicano. We have many bodega owners, supermarket owners, hair salons, and other small businesses that I think are characteristic of their resolve, our people's resolve to work hard and make it a better city for all of us.…”