[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 8 (Friday, January 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E76-E77]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO A DOMINICAN-AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY MUSICAL GROUP 
            AVENTURA ON THE EVE OF DOMINICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 22, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, Dominican Heritage Month gives us the 
opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the economic, cultural, and 
social contributions Dominican Americans have made to this great 
nation. Dominicans living in our shores have been motivated by the 
value of hard work and the bonds of family--the same pillars of our 
society that has built this great nation for over 230 years.

[[Page E77]]

  It also gives us an opportunity to consider the many Dominican 
American achievements, on the island and in the United States. Many of 
our hemisphere's firsts were established on the shores of Quisqueya. 
One of those firsts was the sound of Bachata, a guitar-based evolution 
of the Bolero often compared to the Blues with prevalent tales of 
heartbreak, sadness, and bitter-sweet romance. The genre began in the 
countryside and rural neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic and 
slowly made its way on to small venues. The musical group Aventura, 
with its unique style of Bachata, hip hop, and R&B fusion, finally 
brought the genre onto the world stage.
  The group, which formed in 1996, includes lead singer and featured 
composer and producer Anthony ``Romeo'' Santos, guitarist and producer 
Lenny Santos, bassist Max Santos, and composer Henry Santos Jeter. As 
of today, Aventura is one of the most unique artists on the music 
scene. Since its humble beginnings, the group has sold over 1 million 
albums worldwide. After well over a decade of sparring in the music 
business, these four young, dynamic Dominican Americans with a seldom-
seen chemistry continue to auto-produce soulful, original music that 
gleams with excellence. In the past year alone, the Bronx-based Bachata 
band has had the most successful Latin album, spending over five months 
at No. 1 and spawning four No. 1 singles.
  Aventura has not only contributed significantly to the history of the 
world community, they have also contributed substantially to many of 
our world's poor and less fortunate communities. From benefit concerts 
to toy drives, they reach out to help those in need. Even as we pray 
for those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti, the group has pledged 
to donate to the relief efforts and will also allow Red Cross 
volunteers to accept donations on-site at four of their Madison Square 
Garden concerts, deemed the last tour, later this month.
  Since the initial wave of Dominican migration to the most recent 
arrivals of today, Dominicans have worked hard to contribute to our 
national identity, educating us all on their culture and traditions and 
enriching the quality of our shared futures. Aventura solidifies that 
sentiment in every way. This award-winning group is not just a sense of 
pride for all Dominicans in our nation and abroad but for all 
Americans.
  Madam Speaker, for this, I ask that you and my distinguished 
colleagues in the Congress join me in paying tribute to not only the 
triumphs of Aventura, but also the invaluable impact that this quartet 
has had on our country and the world.

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