[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10737]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT LEONEL FERNANDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record, an 
announcement for the Pan American Development Foundation's Inter-
American Leadership award awarded to President Leonel Fernandez of the 
Dominican Republic on April 28, 2006. The award is bestowed on ``an 
individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening 
democracy in the hemisphere and promoting economic and social 
development in the Americas.'' Undoubtedly President Fernandez, known 
for his forward and original thinking, is such a person. At a time of 
economic turmoil, he has spearheaded numerous reforms and innovations 
in the economy of the Dominican Republic, promising to reduce 
inflation, to stabilize the exchange rate and to restore investor 
confidence. He has largely succeeded in increasing employment 
opportunities and has ``demonstrated a clear vision for a vibrant 
future for the Dominican Republic.'' He has worked with the PADF in 
promoting cross-border programs with Haiti with the goal of economic 
development, as well as, mitigating the hostile attitudes of the two 
people who share the island of Hispaniola. I praise the accomplishments 
of President Fernandez and congratulate him on receiving this award 
honoring his work. I hope that he will continue his effective 
leadership of his nation and I wish him every success.

 President Leonel Fernandez Receives PADF's Inter-American Leadership 
                                 Award

       Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Apr. 28.--The Pan 
     American Development Foundation (PADF) presented Dr. Leonel 
     Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic, its 2006 
     Inter-American Leadership Award this evening in a ceremony at 
     the Hotel Hilton Santo Domingo attended by business, 
     diplomatic, and governmental leaders. The PADF Inter-American 
     Leadership Award is bestowed upon an individual who has 
     demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening 
     democracy in the hemisphere and promoting economic and social 
     development in the Americas. Corporate support for the 
     ceremony and dinner was provided by PADF's longtime corporate 
     partners Stanford Financial Group, Citigroup, and 
     Caterpillar, Inc.
       PADF's President of the Board of Trustees, Ruth Espey-
     Romero, stated, ``President Fernandez's dynamic leadership 
     and vision for his countrymen has strengthened Dominican 
     society. He is committed to advancing his country's economic 
     condition. The President has a clear vision for a vibrant 
     future for the Dominican Republic and how the border can 
     serve as an engine of growth for the entire region. His 
     record has demonstrated his commitment to PADF's vision of 
     `Creating a Hemisphere of Opportunity for All.'''
       PADF also presented awards to several key corporate 
     partners whose support has enabled PADF to accomplish its 
     work throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. 
     Representatives of Stanford Financial Group, Altria Group 
     (including Philip Morris International and Grupo Leon 
     Jimenes), and the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti each 
     received recognition for their support of projects throughout 
     the Caribbean and Latin America.
       The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is an 
     international nonprofit organization established in 1962 
     through a unique partnership between the Organization of 
     American States and private enterprise to promote, 
     facilitate, and implement social and economic development in 
     Latin America and the Caribbean through innovative 
     partnerships and integrated involvement of the private and 
     public sectors. PADF currently has offices in Bolivia, 
     Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Haiti, and 
     has operated in every country throughout Latin America and 
     the Caribbean.
       In the Dominican Republic, PADF is working with over 80 
     local organizations to strengthen to the border region and 
     encourage private sector participation in development. 
     Funding for the programs comes from the U.S. Agency for 
     International Development (USAID), with additional support 
     from other public and corporate donors.

                          ____________________