[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5011]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING DOMINICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today, on this 28th of February, to 
join with the hundreds of thousands of Dominican residents of my 
congressional district and the millions of Dominicans around the world 
in celebrating the 163rd anniversary of their motherland's 
independence.
  The road to freedom and independence is not perfect. It can be just 
as hard, if not harder, to maintain it as it was to secure it. The 
Dominican people know this lesson first-hand. Their history includes 
two wars of independence--first from Haiti in 1844 and then from Spain 
in 1865--as well as struggles against dictators and oppressive 
governments. And while self-determination has produced a proud nation, 
various problems still exist, particularly those that stem from poverty 
and economic despair.
  Yet today is a day that all Dominicans are united in celebrating, 
regardless of their political affiliations. It is a day that we 
remember the ideals of the Nation, thankful that there is still hope of 
a better future. It is a day to honor the sacrifices of our heroes in 
the only appropriate way--by rededicating ourselves to a more just land 
for all residents, at home and abroad.
  The Dominican Republic has been, and always will be, a land rich in 
history and culture. The spirit of its people has energized our 
community, our city and our Nation. So it gives me great pride to 
congratulate Dominicans around the world on their Independence Day. Any 
day that we can take to celebrate and rededicate ourselves to freedom 
and justice is not just a good one, but a necessary one.

                          ____________________