[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 106 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1318-E1319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            GREAT DOMINICAN PARADE AND CARNIVAL OF THE BRONX

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 1996

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Great 
Dominican Parade and Carnival of the Bronx on its sixth year of 
celebration of the Dominican culture in my south Bronx congressional 
district.
  It gives me great pleasure to once again join the members and friends 
of the Dominican community who will be marching along the Grand 
Concourse this Sunday in celebration of Dominican culture and its 
historic legacy.
  This year's parade will honor Juan Pablo Duarte, father of the 
independence of the Dominican Republic, which was achieved in 1844.
  The parade was born in 1990, following the vision of its president 
and founder Felipe Febles. Mr. Febles saw the need to provide

[[Page E1319]]

Dominicans with a forum to educate them and to strengthen their sense 
of identity. In addition, its associated nonprofit institution offers 
English classes and other services to immigrants.
  The Dominican Republic has a long and distinguished history. 
Christopher Columbus visited in 1492, and named the island Hispaniola. 
Among other important legacies, Santo Domingo, the nation's capital, is 
the oldest settlement by Europeans and the location of the most ancient 
cathedral in the Americas.
  Dominicans are proud of their country's history, rich culture, 
natural resources, agriculture, and other industries. The Great 
Dominican Parade and Carnival of the Bronx has adopted as its symbol 
the map of the Dominican Republic containing in its center a portrait 
of Juan Pablo Duarte, the Dominican flag, and a depiction of the oldest 
cathedral and the highest mountain in the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
members and friends of the Great Dominican Parade and Carnival of the 
Bronx for their 6 years of bringing joy and of strengthening the 
community.

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