Supporting the goals and ideals of a Juan Pablo Duarte Day.

Supporting the goals and ideals of a Juan Pablo Duarte Day.

Whereas the people of the Dominican Republic acquired autonomy and sovereignty on the 27th day of February 1844;

Whereas the Dominican Republic was the cradle of thinking and achievement in the Western Hemisphere, establishing the first university, hospital, and cathedral of the New World;

Whereas, on the 26th day of January 1813, Juan Pablo Duarte, the founding father of the Dominican Republic, was born;

Whereas, during the month of January 2025, Dominican Americans and citizens of the Dominican Republic will celebrate the 212th anniversary of the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte;

Whereas Juan Pablo Duarte, along with Francisco Del Rosario Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella, formed La Trinitaria, a secret organization that initiated the movement for the independence of the Dominican Republic;

Whereas Juan Pablo Duarte actively participated in the Dominican War of Independence, demonstrating commitment to the nation’s freedom;

Whereas, by rallying military, civilian, and financial supporters, Duarte demonstrated his ability to unify diverse groups under the common cause of independence and sovereignty;

Whereas Duarte conducted a diplomatic mission to garner Venezuelan support for the Dominican Restoration War (1863–1865), which resulted in the Dominican Republic regaining its second independence from Spain;

Whereas Duarte’s liberal and democratic ideas and actions laid the foundation for the establishment of an independent Dominican state, free from foreign rule;

Whereas Juan Pablo Duarte humbly declined urges from supporters to take the presidency of the Republic wanting to prioritize democratic principles over personal ambitions;

Whereas, despite facing exile, betrayal, and personal loss, Duarte prioritized the welfare of the Dominican Republic and its people above all else; and

Whereas, during the month of February 2025, Dominican Americans and citizens of the Dominican Republic will celebrate the independence of the Dominican Republic, including attending the 8th annual Dominicans on the Hill conference: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports the goals and ideals of the Juan Pablo Duarte Day of the Dominican Republic;

(2) supports the establishment of a national day of recognition for Juan Pablo Duarte in the United States to honor the founding father of the Dominican Republic; and

(3) urges the people of the United States to observe a national day of recognition for Dominican Americans with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.