LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim January 26, 2016, as the 203rd Anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte
Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The people of the Dominican Republic acquired autonomy and
sovereignty on the 27th day of February 1844; and
WHEREAS, The Island of Quisqueya, the indigenous name for what later
became the island of Hispaniola, was the cradle of thinking and advance-
ment in the western hemisphere, establishing the first university and
cathedral of the New World; and
WHEREAS, On the 26th day of January 1813, Juan Pablo Duarte, the
founding father of the Dominican Republic, was born; and
WHEREAS, During the month of January 2016, Dominicans will celebrate
the 203rd Anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte's birth; and
WHEREAS, Juan Pablo Duarte, along with Francisco Del Rosario Sanchez
and Ramon Matias Melia, formed La Trinitaria, a secret organization that
initiated the movement for the independence of the Dominican Republic;
and
WHEREAS, During the month of February 2016, Dominican Nationals and
Dominican Americans from throughout the Dominican Republic and the
United States will celebrate the independence of the Dominican Republic;
and
WHEREAS, Since the 27th day of February 1966, the Instituto Duartiano,
Inc. in New York City, has promoted the memory and accomplishments of
Juan Pablo Duarte; and
WHEREAS, The Instituto Duartiano is an organization that is dedicated
to maintaining and keeping alive the life and history of Juan Pablo
Duarte, the liberator and founder of the Dominican Republic; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 26, 2016, as
Juan Pablo Duarte Day in the State of New York; in recognition of this
auspicious occasion, the members of the Instituto Duartiano will visit
Albany, New York, on Tuesday, February 2, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; The Honorable Eduardo Selman, Consul General of the Dominican
Republic; The Honorable Cesar Romero, President of the Instituto Duarti-
ano de los Estados Unidos; and Jose Tomas Perez, Ambassador of the
Dominican Republic to the United States.