[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING NEW YORK'S DOMINICAN DAY PARADE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of New York's 
oldest celebrations of Dominican culture, Manhattan's Dominican Day 
Parade.
  The annual parade, which once ran through the heart of Washington 
Heights, has grown to become one of August's most anticipated 
celebrations of cultural and ethnic pride on New York's Sixth Avenue.
  This year's parade on August 10th not only comes on the heels of the 
Dominican Republic's hosting of the 14th edition of the Pan-American 
Games, it also kicks off Dominican Heritage Week in New York City. From 
then to August 16th, New Yorkers of all ages will get a chance to learn 
about some of the ways in which this vibrant community is transforming 
the nation.
  We have begun to hear of Dominicans and Dominican-Americans in the 
context of stars like baseball slugger Sammy Sosa, designer Oscar de la 
Renta, and Miss Universe 2002 Amelia Vega. However, there are hundreds 
of Dominican professionals and an increasing amount of Dominican 
students that are blazing trails in government, law, science, and 
technology. They understand that they stand on the shoulders of not 
only the sacrifices that their parents have made but also on the 
achievements of members of other freedom-loving people.
  In many ways, their journey is similar to other immigrant groups that 
have landed on our shores. But make no mistake, the people of the 
Dominican Republic have a style all their own. They are part of the 
wonderful mosaic that is America whose continuing empowerment can only 
help this country reach its full potential as a democracy.

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