[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 180TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC'S 
                              INDEPENDENCE

  (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 180th 
anniversary of the Dominican Republic's independence.
  This past weekend, the streets in downtown Christiansted, St. Croix, 
and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, were alive with the spirit of the 
Independence Day Parade, a tradition that has graced our islands for 15 
years and serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of our shared 
heritage.
  The Virgin Islands prides itself on being a melting pot of cultures, 
and the active participation and integration of the Dominican community 
showcase the strength and beauty of that diversity.
  It is inspiring to see members of the Dominican community opening 
businesses, contributing to our economy, and taking on key roles in our 
government as they share their passion and their ideas.
  Those efforts and achievements reinforce the value of cultural 
exchange and mutual respect that are the foundation of our society.
  It is the fabric that weaves our communities together and allows 
every ethnicity and nationality to celebrate their unique culture and 
traditions.
  Here is to many more years of friendship, collaboration, and shared 
prosperity between the Virgin Islands and, indeed, the United States 
and the Dominican Republic.

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