LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Domini-
can Cultural and Sports Center of New York, Inc. on March 22, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Dominican Cultural and Sports Center
of New York, Inc. to be celebrated on Tuesday, March 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, For over five decades, the Dominican Cultural and Sports
Center of New York has fostered a spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and
cultural pride for Dominicans living in the Washington Heights neighbor-
hood of Manhattan and beyond; and
WHEREAS, With a long history of immigration to the United States
dating back to the arrival of Juan Rodriguez in New Amsterdam in 1613,
successive generations of Dominicans have come to America in search of
prosperity and to begin new lives; and
WHEREAS, However, after the fall of the regime of Rafael Leonidas
Trujillo Molina in the 1960s, many Dominicans emigrated to the United
States in order to escape the widespread political persecution and
social instability happening at the time in the Dominican Republic; and
WHEREAS, Forced away from their loved ones to settle in the New York
City boroughs of the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan, many Domini-
cans faced the challenges of an unfamiliar language, cultural customs,
food, and climate, as well as a longing for what they had left behind;
and
WHEREAS, As a large number of Dominican immigrants began to settle in
Washington Heights, one group of friends and domino game lovers began to
create an organization for maintaining their cultural roots which
converged on weekends at different apartments; and
WHEREAS, At a meeting in the summer of 1964, a firm decision was made
to form a social club to play dominoes and other games emulating models
established at that time in the Dominican Republic; the first interim
board consisted of President Guaroa Well, Vice-President Eduardo Payero,
Treasurer Ramon de La Hoz, Victor Gil, Luis Cepeda, Conrad Guzman, Rafa-
el Diaz and Rafael Innocent; and
WHEREAS, On March 23, 1966, this new institution was incorporated in
the New York State Capital in Albany, New York, as the Dominican Sports
Club; a permanent club location was selected at 2186 Amsterdam Avenue,
and its members also established statutes and rules to govern the handl-
ing of its operation under its first President Guaroa Bueno; and
WHEREAS, As its membership continued to grow, the Dominican Sports
Club began to encourage its members to assess and understand their home-
land from a new social perspective; the organization also welcomed its
first partners: Geraldo Espinal, Ramon Garcia, Mario Jose Nunez, Fran-
cisco Perez, Octavio Jimenez, Jose Rodriguez, Miguel Payano, Salvador
Garcia and Rafael Vargas; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, The Dominican Sports Club, now the Dominican
Cultural and Sports Center of New York, Inc., has remained steadfast in
its commitment to helping its countrymen express themselves and channel
their energies in a spirit of friendship and cultural pride, while also
striving to make a difference in the Dominican immigrant community; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Dominican Cultural and Sports Center of New York,
Inc., is not only respected for its achievements in traditional sports

activities like Dominoes, but is also known for fostering great athletes
in such disciplines as softball, bowling, billiards, ping pong and
karate; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Dominican Cultural and Sports Center of
New York, Inc., is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members
and staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of this institution
and the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when cultural
organization of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Dominican Cultural and Sports
Center of New York, Inc., noting the significance of its unremitting
efforts, and wishing the organization continued success for many years
to come; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Dominican Cultural and Sports Center of New York, Inc.