Dominican Independence Day Celebration 2011

We had a wonderful turn-out for the Independence Day celebration. We thank our distinguished guests, NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat, for his enlightening presentation on Dominicanness, the Consul General, Dr. Gisselle Castillo, for her kind words to the community on behalf of the Dominican government, Phillip Jacobs, Chair of Concerned Haitian Americans of Illinois, for his continuous solidarity with us, Former DR Consul in Chicago Tony Jiménez, for his unequivocal support, Carola del Rosario, Chair of Enlaces Latinoamericanos, for distinguishing DAMA, and Isabel Delgado, Minister Counselor for the DR’s Mission to the OAS, for honoring us with her attendance, and Patricia Perez, DR Director of Tourism, for always willing to help us out. Very special appreciation to Alderman Ariel Reboyras for the resolution he personally wrote and presented to Espaillat.

We are thankful to Virgilio Santos Taveras for his special contribution to DAMA and for providing high level contacts. Ms. Nettie León Lasko, Assistant Program Coordinator for the Attorney General Office, read a proclamation sent by the Attorney General Lisa Madigan recognizing and celebrating Independence day. We are grateful to both.

We thank Javier and Luis Saldaña, Tumbao’s owners, who in case folks don’t know it, are half Sanguajuaneros and half Boricuas. Their restaurant is yet another place for us to support. We are deeply indebted to our volunteers, Raysa Feliz, Roberto Guzmán, Cristina de Jesús, Josefina Feliz, Luis Roberto Arriaga, Eric Sánchez, Francisco Cruz, Belkys de Cruz, and former DAMA’s treasurer, Mercedes Feliz, all of whom made it a point to go out of their way to assist us.

And thanks to you, the audience, and members of UNIDOM, for your participation. Last but not least, much appreciation to the Consejo Consultivo de Chicago for co-sponsoring the event.