[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF JUAN BATISTA VICINI, A DOMINICAN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of 
Juan Batista Vicini, a dedicated leader, a reliable ally, and a 
longstanding friend who passed away on April 28, 2015. We have truly 
experienced a great loss not only to the Dominican Republic, but also 
to the international community. He was loved, respected tremendously, 
and we will certainly miss his spirit of leadership and strength.
  Mr. Vicini was born in Genoa, Italy and became the so-called first 
Dominican mogul after receiving a degree in Chemical Engineering from 
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before his death, Mr. Vicini 
had led the Vicini family business for over 50 years. As Vicini Assets 
Management's third generation leader, Mr. Vicini laid the groundwork to 
transform the family company into the most important assets 
administrator in the Caribbean and Central America.
  Mr. Vicini, the Vicini family and I all worked together on the issue 
of multi-lateral government investment in Haiti and the Dominican 
Republic. We also worked on trade in relation to the Haitian 
Hemispheric Opportunity for Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 
(HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act (HELP), signed into law 
by President Barack Obama in 2010. These two Acts expanded and extended 
existing apparel trade opportunities for Haiti, which is important as 
their economy continues to bounce back from the earthquake several 
years ago.
  I have the great honor to serve a congressional district with one of 
the nation's largest Dominican populations. From Washington Heights to 
Inwood, Dominicans continue to improve our neighborhoods, with their 
vibrant cultural and economic contributions every day.
  Mr. Vicini embodied the bright Dominican culture and enriched the 
lives of everyone he knew. During my visit to the Dominican Republic 
last year, I was very pleased to be able to visit Vicini Assets 
Management and see the results of Mr. Vicini's decades-long success. 
While the world lost a great businessman and leader, I am confident 
that his children will carry on his legacy for years to come.

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