Dominican American National Roudtable (DANR)

Content

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II.

DANR 2007 Memoirs l November 2006 l September 2007

DANR Who we are?

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Mission

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National Board of Directors

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Former Board Members

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History

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Guiding Principles

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Former Presidents

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Vision & Leadership

DANR at the 7th New Jersey Conference on Dominican Affairs

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DANR Youth Planning Meeting

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DANR Noel Tropical Storm Relief Efforts

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National Youth Conference

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DANR/DR–Cafta Breakfast

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DANR Membership Drive

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DANR Desayuno de Confraternización

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DANR in DR HAINA / USHCC

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DANR Youth Conference Brown Students

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DANR 2nd Annual Dominican Making Waves Cruise

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Victor Capellan

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Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo

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Alejandra Castillo

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Adriano Espaillat

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NCLR – Capital Awards

Ana Garcia-Reyes

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Latino Leader Network Lunch

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Rhadames Peguero

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NCLR Annual Conference

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Ramona Romero

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USHCC visit to DR

47

Cid Wilson

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Congressional Black Hispanic Caucus Gala

47

José Bello

21

Hispanic Heritage Month at the White House

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Bernardo Vega

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Coors Lideres Training Initiative

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Muriel Alfonseca

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Zenaida Mendez

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Puerto Rican Legal and Education Fund (PRLDEF)

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Frank Rainieri

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Graphic History 1997-2007

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V.

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DANR Retreats (FL/NY)

IV. Special Events Dominican identity and Migrations to Hispaniola

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The White House - DR Independence Day

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DANR 5th Annual Legislative Day

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Legislative Priorities

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VI. DANR Awards and Recognitions

III. DANR in Action Advocacy efforts/call for action

DANR Strategic National Partners

Johnny Ventura

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Rosita Romero

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Francesca Peña

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Amaris Guzman

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Hugo Morales

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Alianza Dominicana

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Rhadames Peguero

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Hon. Charles Rangel

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Women’s Month

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VII. Sponsors and Supporters

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President:

Victor Capellan

Directed and Edited by:

Muriel Alfonseca l Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo

Production Team:

Rajzea Gabriela Brito l Alejandra Castillo l Cid Wilson l Meisu Marcano Victor Capellan l Aileen Feliberty l Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo l Muriel Alfonseca

Pictures Editor:

Meisu Marcano

Photographers:

Jovanna Garcia l Luis Guzman l Everin Perez l Julissa Ferreras l Maria T. Feliciano l Nestor Montilla Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo l Cid Wilson l Muriel Alfonseca l Alejandra Castillo l Saily Cabral l Meisu Marcano

Design & Printing:

Martha Jaramillo l Graphikmar Inc. l 305.887.3473

© 2007 by DANR — All Rights Reserved.

D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

A message from DANR President Dear Conference Participants, Happy 10th Anniversary! We all deserve to be congratulated on this happy occasion as we commemorate the founding of the Dominican American National Roundtable. This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to evaluate our work over the years. We are here to mark this incredible milestone and commemorate the work of so many individuals. This is also the time to look ahead and envision where we are going and to make decisions about how to reach new heights as Dominican Americans.

The dream of a national organization that could organize Dominicans across the country, serves as an advocate for the needs of Dominicans and add a Dominican voice to the national debate – was once a dream but it now a reality! As Dominican Americans we are a relatively young immigrant group, but on a daily basis our contributions and achievements bring us to the top echelons of every aspect of American life.

This celebration is a demonstration of our combined efforts, a powerful testament of our potential, and an exhibition of our leadership. Our unity is what keeps us growing strong.

The Path to Prosperity: Strong Leadership – Stronger Communities, it is our not only the title of this 10th conference, is a pledge for action, and a plan to move forward. Building leadership is one of the best ways that we Dominicans can contribute to the development of the larger American society. Whether it is in the business board room, in classrooms across the country, in the political arena, or any other field or setting, Dominican leaders are moving forward the agenda of prosperity for the advancement of our community. Over the next ten years, the Dominican American National Roundtable will serve as a catalyst for action that will help transform America and lead our neighborhoods and our community specifically into prosperity.

As President of this organization, I am grateful to our board members for their guidance, to our members for their trust, and to our sponsors for their commitment. We look forward to seeing you in another ten years to see how far we have advanced.

Congratulations to our very deserving award winners and thank you to each all of you for coming to Miami to join us in this wonderful occasion as DANR celebrates its 10th Anniversary. ¡Felicidades, Dominicanos!

Victor F. Capellán President Dominican American National Roundtable November 30th, 2007

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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Message from DANR Conference Chairman I would like to welcome you to Miami, Florida for a conference that has been ten years in the making . . . the Dominican American National Roundtable 10th Anniversary National Conference. Please join me in thanking the numerous volunteers and supporters that helped to make this important annual gathering a reality. This year’s conference is very symbolic for the DANR. It was ten years ago this month that we had our first DANR National Conference when Dominican leaders came together in Miami, Florida with the idea of forming a national organization that could be a voice for Dominicans all around the United States. Today, the DANR is a reality and we thank those founders that helped to get the organization off the ground.

What is so unique about the DANR National Conference is that it’s the ONLY national gathering of Dominican Americans in the United States.

It is the one time of the year when the community comes together under one roof to exchange best practices regionally and to learn from leaders who are setting higher standards of excellence in their field.

Regardless of your career or your specialty, your political affiliation, or what part of the country you come from, the DANR National Conference has something for you.

We would like to thank our title sponsor Freddie Mac for its leadership and support in making this conference possible for us. We would also like to thank all of our other sponsors as well as chair commitment to the DANR Conference. Most importantly, we want to thank YOU, the conference participant for your presence at our national gathering. It’s your support and your voice that has allowed the DANR to grow into a nationally prominent organization.

Have a great conference weekend and thank you for your support of the Dominican American National Roundtable and our national mission of community empowerment.

Warm regards,

Cid Wilson 2007 DANR Conference Chairman December 1, 2007

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D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H

DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE

STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

Who are we?

The Dominican American National Roundtable is a non-partisan Washington, D.C. based organization that advocates for the empowerment of Dominicans in the United States and Puerto Rico. The DANR is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1997. It is the first and only national organization advocating on behalf of the over one million Dominican Americans in areas concerning education, health, economic development, immigration, and civic empowerment at the national level. The DANR National Conference is the only conference in the United States that brings together Dominicans from around the country under one roof for the purpose of community empowerment.

Mission

The Dominican-American National Roundtable (DANR) is a non-partisan, non-profit corporation seeking to bring together the different voices of all people of Dominican origin in the United States. DANR is a national forum for analysis, planning, and action to advance the educational, economic, legal, social, cultural, and political interests of Dominican Americans.

It aims to ensure for U. S. Dominicans the full exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States of America. With those objectives in mind, DANR is committed to enriching the quality of life in the United States by highlighting the contributions of Dominicans to the larger American society.

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D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

National Board of Directors

President VICTOR F. CAPELLAN (NY) First Vice President LUIS A. GUZMAN (NJ)

Second Vice President EVERIN PEREZ (RI)

Vice President of Membership DORA MARIA ABREU (NY)

Treasurer OSCAR HERASME (NY)

Assistant Treasurer VICTOR DIAZ (CT)

Secretary JOVANNA GARCIA (RI)

Chair of Conference CID WILSON Muriel Alfonseca (MD)

Hon. Julio Guridy (PA)

Cosme Perez (FL)

Aneiry Batista (NY)

Angelica Infante (NY)

Pura Vazquez (PR)

Saily Cabral (NY)

Marianela Jordan (NY)

Jhomphy Ventura (RI)

Alejandra Castillo, Esq. (DC)

Ana Medina (MA)

Cesar Vizcaino (NJ)

Nurys De Oleo (NY)

Nestor Montilla (NY)

Lourdes Washington (MD)

Maria Teresa Feliciano (NJ)

Rafael Nuñez-Cedeño, Ph.D. (IL)

Hon. Cid Wilson (NJ)

Julissa Ferreras (NY)

Andres Paniagua (MA)

Former Board Members Arlene Álvarez – NJ (1999)

Felipe Rodríguez – MD (1999-2001)

Marianela Peralta – MD (2000)

Roberto Álvarez – DC (1999)

Ydanis Rodríguez – NY (1999-2001)

Bárbara Pérez – IL (2000-2002)

Jose R. Bello – MA (1999-2001)

Ramona Romero – PA (1999-2001)

Luis Salcedo – NY (2000-2002)

Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo – FL (1999)

Silvio Torres-Saillant – NY (1999)

Consuelo Evans – NJ (2001)

Mariano Díaz – NY (1999)

Elvis Ruiz – RI (1999-2002)

Teodoro Regús – NY (2001)

Manuel Dotel – FL (1999)

Adria Ureña – VA (1999)

Nelson Valdez – NJ (2001)

Adriano Espaillat – NY (1999)

Ninoska Uribe – NY (1999)

Alexandra Ventura – NY (2001)

Epifanio Gil – MA (1999-2001)

Verouschka Capellán – RI (2000-2002)

Jose Torres – FL (2003)

Rafael Lantigua – NY (1999-2001)

Raysa Castillo – NY (2000)

Ivy Farichild –NY (2003)

Manuel Matos – NY (1999-2002)

Miguel De Jesús – PR (2000-2002)

Ana Garcia Reyes - NY (2000)

Radhamés Peguero – FL (1999)

Josefina Infante – NJ (2000)

Ralph Carrero – MA (2002)

Moisés Pérez – NY (1999)

María Luna – NY (2000)

Melba Depena – RI (2002)

Juan Pichardo – RI (1999-2003)

Rafael Morel – FL (2000)

Zenaida Méndez – NY (2002)

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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History

1997 The concept of the Roundtable emerged in December 1997, when over 200 Dominican American leaders from around the country met in Miami, FL, to discuss the educational, economic, legal, social and political status of the more than one million people of Dominican origin in the United States. This historic gathering was organized and hosted by the Dominican American National Foundation of South Florida under the leadership of Margarita Cepeda, President, and Radhames Peguero, Executive Director; the Office of New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat; and Rhode Island’s Quisqueya in Action Youth Organization. Embracing the theme “The National Agenda,” the conference included workshops and symposia addressing education, public policy, healthcare, immigration reform, community empowerment and economic development, among other topics, with attendees from states and cities with large Dominican populations.

1998 Following the December 1997 conference a meeting was organized that brought together a broad spectrum of Dominican community leaders at Alianza Dominicana, Inc. in NYC. The participants created a National Interim Steering Committee to develop the formal structure and initial agenda of the Roundtable. In April of 1998, the interim steering committee met at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute of the City College of New York to plan a path forward that included several other gatherings designed to secure the grassroots and leadership buy-in necessary to ensure the Roundtable’s success and effectiveness, During a working conference held in Washington, DC, in June 1998, 47 Roundtable participants met with federal officials to introduce the Roundtable and its national agenda.

1999 In January 1999, the National Interim Steering Committee elected the Official DANR Board of Directors, its officers, and its first president, Mr. Victor Capellan, from Rhode Island. In May 1999, the Roundtable gathered again in Rhode Island, at a public conference attended by over 600 people. The main topic of this 2nd Annual Conference, celebrated in May 1999, was “Toward the New Millennium - Strengthening Organizational Development for Dominican Communities in the United States.” In addition to numerous educational symposia, the Rhode Island conference formally gave attendees the opportunity to provide input to the national steering committee concerning the structure, future activities, and vision of the Roundtable.

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2000 In February 2000, the Dominican American National Roundtable was incorporated in Washington, D.C. and obtaining the Federal Exempt Status. The DANR Board elected its second president, Hon. Adriano Espaillat, from New York. The DANR arrived at a level of organizational development, which included successfully organizing the first Roundtable event in NYC in partnership with Columbia University and major corporate sponsors, establishing membership participation, allowing members in good standing to vote for a new Board of Directors and increasing the numbers of members entering the organization. DANR, GDP and CUNY, started a pilot program of the Dominican Internship Program. DIP has proven to be an excellent educational vehicle to ensure that Dominican Americans students are afforded the opportunity to experience first-hand the political and policy working of national and international governmental institutions. The third Annual Conference was celebrated with the theme, “Dominicans in the United States: Americas’ New Face” in NYC on October 6-8, 2000 with great success.

2001 The Roundtable opened its headquarters in Washington DC and appointed Jose R. Bello as its Executive Director on October 1st 2000. With the theme “Empowerment through Education: The Way for Dominican Americans” the 4th Annual Conference took place on December 7-9 in Washington D.C. At the closing of this conference, Ana Garcia-Reyes was elected third president of the DANR leading a diverse 27-member Board of Directors with an Executive Board made up of eight members, seven of whom were women.

2002 During 2002, DANR registered thousands of voters with the Dominican American Voter Registration and Participation Program in Manhattan, New York and ran the Dominican Internship Program, which placed Dominican students in the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the US Senate Committee for International Relations. DANR also held two important meetings in Washington, DC. First was the Dominican American Business Legislative Meeting, where Dominican business leaders met with US legislators to discuss policy issues affecting our community. The second was our 5th Annual Conference entitled, “Our Local Empowerment Builds Our National Power.” During the Conference, Ms. Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo was elected fourth president of the DANR. The DANR initiated an important advocacy agenda before the US Congress, the US Census Bureau, and INS, as to secure the rights of Dominicans in the United States and Puerto Rico. In addi-

tion, DANR published a 2002 Dominican American Calendar, to promote Dominican American artists.

2003 In April, DANR organized its first Congressional Delegation to the Dominican Republic, with the participation of 10 Members of Congress led by Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC). In Washington, DC. DANR celebrated its second Business Legislative Meeting, as well as another successful edition of the Dominican Internship Program, and this time in partnership with the Group of Dominican Professionals of DC, In NYC, DANR sponsored a Dominican Heritage Celebration, and honored Dr. Hugo Morales, as the first Dominican Trustee at the City University of New York, as well as Hon. Adriano Espaillat, as Chairman of the New York State Black Puerto Rican And Hispanic Legislative Caucus. In conjunction with other national Latino organizations, DANR actively advocated in favor of Affirmative Action programs by filling two historical amicus briefs before the United States Supreme Court. DANR also advocated for several immigration and education bills that once passed will benefit immigrant students in the United States. As part of its yearly activities, DANR published the 2003 Dominican American Calendar to educate the public about our history in the United States, and celebrated is 6th Annual Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 10-12, 2003, with the theme “Dominican American Future: Health & Economic Empowerment. Creating Access in Health, Finance, and Education through Political Participation”.

2004 The DANR enters the international debate on Free Trade by advocating the United States Congress and the US Trade Representative to include the Dominican Republic in any Central American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The DANR invited members of the Dominican and Puerto Rican communities to hear opinions and comments from Congressman Charlie Rangel, Bronx Boro President Adolfo Carrion, and representatives of the Dominican and Puerto Rican governments to discuss the positives and challenges of a free trade agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic. In the summer of 2004, the DANR continues its Dominican Internship Program in Washington, DC. Also during the summer, the DANR initiated the first ever Youth Leadership Day in Providence, RI with the goal of empowering our nation’s youth with the tools to achieve the goals set out by our Dominican Youth. Furthermore, following the tragedy in Jimani, DR, caused by the fast flooding and torrential rains, the DANR collab-

D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

History

orated with the many communities around the country to bridge communications, thus helping to consolidate the relief efforts among the various states in the U.S. In 2004, the DANR went to Chicago for the first time ever to participate in the National Hispanic-Latino Agenda Summit, in which DANR President Cid Wilson was the keynote speaker in helping the conference to present a national Latino agenda to both the Democratic and Republican parties. In August, the DANR receives honorary membership to the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce of Florida in Miami and honors founding Vice President Margarita CepedaLeonardo for her community support. DANR President Cid Wilson gave the keynote address to the Lawrence, MA, Dominican community at the Lawrence, MA Dominican Parade Dinner. In September, the DANR releases its comprehensive report on Dominican Voter Capacity in the United States. The DANR also hosts its seventh Annual National Conference at The City College of New York -CUNY- in New York City on Sept. 17-19, 2004.

2005 The DANR embarked on one of its boldest national initiatives ever, by launching its DANR National Unity Tour Around America, which included meeting, listening, supporting, and strengthening our local Dominican communities in 15 U.S. states and territories. The “tour” took a full year and 35,000 miles of travel around the country, including Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Texas. Many of these meetings resulted in new statewide Dominican organizations. DANR President Cid Wilson was the keynote and commencement speaker at multiple venues through out the nation including Kean College (NJ) EEO Program, EBC Bushwick High School of Brooklyn, Emerson High School of Union City, NJ, Gregorio Luperon School in New York City, George Washington High School in New York City , and many more. The DANR launched the Dominican Leadership Institute in Washington, DC with great success. In addition, the DANR teamed up with the Dominican Power Vote USA initiative to register thousands of voters in New York City. DANR President Cid Wilson delivered remarks at the Dominican Independence Day reception at The White House featuring US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. For the 3rd year, the DANR hosted a Congressional Day in Washington, DC, where the DANR met with members of Congress and the U.S. Senate from both political parties to discuss pro-Dominican legislation and initiatives. The DANR strengthened its national partnerships with prominent Latino organizations

such as the NCLR, LULAC, NALEO, PRLDEF, MALDEF, ASPIRA, the Hispanic Federation, The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, the Cuban American National Council, and many more national organizations. The DANR held its 8th Annual National Conference in Boston, MA at the University of Massachusetts on October 7-9, 2005.

2006 This year the DANR reached new milestone in the organization’s development and accomplishment. The organization has ensured that Dominican-Americans living throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico are represented in the mayor policy debates and decision-making forums. To begin, on January 19, 2006, for the first time in the DANR’s history, its President, Cid Wilson, led a round of meetings in Washington, DC with major non-profits Latino organizations in an effort to build collaboration among the many organizations, and to further the organization’s standing as a national organization. These important rounds of meetings included the most prominent Latinos organizations such as The United State’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Council of La Raza (NCLR), ASPIRA, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), among others.

Similarly, for the second year in a row, the DANR was invited to deliver remarks at the White House’s Dominican Independence Day reception held in the Indian Treaty Room of the Old Executive Office Building. On April 27, 2006, the DANR hosted its 4th Annual Legislative Day in Washington, DC at the Longworth House Office Building. This event included a DANR Legislative Breakfast which provides and excellent opportunity for members of Congress to update the DANR board members, general members and staff on legislative issues important to the Dominican community, including immigration, education, health, economic empowerment, and the upcoming 2010 census.

Among the participating congressional members were: Senator Robert Menendez (D–NJ), Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Congressman William Pascrell (D-NJ). After the conclusion of the Legislative Breakfast, DANR Board Members completed their visit with oneon-one meetings with Congressional members and their staff, including Congressman John Tierney (D-NJ), Congressman James Langevin (D-RI), Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). Throughout the year DANR continued its tireless advocacy and program development to ensure that the Dominican voice is heard and included at all levels of the

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

policy debate on issues such as Immigration, Dream Act, Voting Rights, and the English only Amendment/ Orange Card.

During the 2006 calendar year DANR has undertaken several successful fundraising efforts at the local level. In the month of May and June, Rhode Island and New York Board Members organized a “Dominican Making Waves” boat ride which provided an opportunity to unite the community and strengthen their involvement in DANR’s mission and overall efforts. In September, the DANR in collaboration with the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation organized a fundraising reception at the residence of Dominican Ambassador honoring legendary Baseball Hall of Famer, Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda, as well as rising Dominican-American actresses, Judy Reyes, Dania Ramirez and Judy Marte.

2007 The DANR entered a new era when it elected Victor Capellan as the new President of the DANR, succeeding Cid Wilson. It is Mr. Capellan’s second time as President. The DANR added Pennsylvania and Connecticut as states that would have national board representation. DANR President, Victor Capellan delivered remarks at the Dominican Independence Day reception at The White House featuring US Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez. The organization held its fifth Annual DANR Dominicans on the Hill Day in Washington, DC with a record attendance of members of Congress. The DANR expressed its importance that Congress support and pass pro-Dominican American legislation. In collaboration with other national organizations, the DANR fought for comprehensive immigration reform, against the increased in fees by the USCIS, and in support of the DREAM Act. While Congress did not pass these important legislative bills, the DANR vowed to continue its legislative offensive to support the DANR’s national agenda.

The organization organized community meetings in New York, NY; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Providence, RI; Orlando, FL; and Miami, FL; to build on collaborative relationships with local Dominican leaders.

The 2nd Annual Dominicans Making Waves event in Providence, RI was a great success. The DANR Student Advisory Council and the DANR Corporate Advisory Council were created. During the tragic days following Tropical Storm Noel, the DANR set up a centralized website to facilitate national communication among local organizers and set up a fund to support the victims in the Dominican Republic. In a symbolic moment in DANR history, the 10th Annual National Conference convened in Miami, Florida where it started 10 years earlier.

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Guiding Principles

IMMIGRATION Family Unification The Dominican American community values family, and DANR promotes policies, laws and regulations that increase legal immigration, especially based on the principle of family unification.

• DANR is interested in the reduction of the “affidavit of support” of the immigrant sponsor to ease the reintegration in the United States of Dominican divided families.

Regulation of unauthorized Dominicans There are thousand of law-abiding, hard working and tax-paying Dominicans living in the United States asking for new paths to legal permanent residence. For national security reasons all people living in the United States need to live openly, not in the shadows.

• To fully incorporate Dominicans in the US society the DANR asks for the legalization of all Dominicans living in United States territory.

Professional Accreditation

Permanent Restoration of Section §245(i) §245(i) Section gives immigrants an opportunity to apply for residency without having to leave the country provided that certain requirements are met.

• We advocate for a permanent restoration of §245(i) to facilitate family reunification and allow business to maintain needed employees.

Although, the decision to become a US citizen is a personal decision, DANR encourages and promotes a full incorporation of all Dominicans with US residence to acquire US Citizenship.

• DANR asks the government and private foundations to give support to the Citizenship program that DANR is establishing.

DANR believes that all immigrants requesting asylum in the United States have to have equal treatment under the US laws and INS regulations.

Dominican communities suffer one of the highest dropouts rates among all major Latino communities. This is, as DANR recognizes, one of the greatest challenges of Dominican Americans.

Community practitioners and education leaders must be brought together to breach the gap between theory and practice, so appropriate access to basic education is identified.

• DANR requests assistance, funding and attention to programs working towards school retention.

• New research must be funded to more accurately ascertain the reasons as to why Latinos drop out of high school in greater numbers than everyone else in the nation.

• DANR supports legislation that foster recruitment, graduation of Dominican college. We also encourage seek graduate programs.

• DANR believes that alternative models such as charter schools must be designed, implemented and evaluated.

• The business community must be brought into the dialogue as we attempt to figure out how to reduce the rate and numbers of drop outs and school choice.

ELECTORAL RIGHTS and programs retention and students from our students to

• DANR will praise any legislation that enhances educational opportunities for Latinos and easy access to scholarships, grants, educational loans, etc.

Political Endorsements DANR does not endorse any political candidates, nor do we advise our members to vote for any one.

• However, in general terms we appreciate all US candidates, regardless their national origin, that legitimately promote and defend our communities.

Voter Registration and Electoral Civic Participation

English as a Second Language

• DANR asks the US Department of Justice to revisit current policies that give different treatment to different groups of immigrants.

Deportation of Lawful Dominican Citizens

• We ask for an increase in government funds to support ESL programs in our communities.

According to some interpretations of the current immigration laws a misdemeanor can lead to one’s removal from the United States, no matter how long he or she has been a lawful permanent resident.

Dual Language

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• We ask for programs that help to transfer foreign professional skills into the US job market.

School choice

As a window for the incorporation of Dominicans to the US job market and US society, DANR promotes and supports ESL programs for Dominican communities in the United States and Puerto Rico.

• DANR asks the US Department of justice to work to modify the punitive interpretation of the immigration law that can lead to one’s removal from the United States.

• DANR supports legislation and regulations that facilitate the accreditation in the US of foreign professionals.

EDUCATION

Access to Higher Education Promotion of US Citizenship

Many Dominican professionals that recently migrated to US are facing problems of working in their professional fields.

Because we live in a global economy the DANR praises the richness of bilingual education. We encourage Dominican families to teach and practice Spanish, as well as to learn and practice English.

• DANR promotes policies that guarantee the use and practice of Spanish for the coming generation of Dominican Americans.

DANR promotes voter registration and electoral participation of all Dominicans with US citizenship.

• We encourage Dominican American community base organizations to establish non-partisan programs of voter registration in our communities and DANR asks government and private foundations to support such programs.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Dominican American Chambers of Commerce alliance with DANR The Dominican community has been characterized as entrepreneurial community.

DANR recognizes the importance of our

D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

Guiding Principles

business organizations for the success of the whole Dominican community.

• DANR encourages a strong alliance of all Dominican American Chambers of Commerce to enhance the future of our business community.

• DANR calls on the Small Business Administration to aid a process of institutional training and capacity building of Dominican Chambers of Commerce all around the country.

Employment and Training The Dominican community is largely a community of workers with a broad range of needs. Youth, newly arrived, displaced workers, underemployed, and women are often technologically illiterate. Due to scarcity of employment, job training is highly needed.

• DANR supports the design and implementation of a map study around certain conditions, needs and interests of Dominican American workers.

Remittances Dominican Americans annually send the largest foreign aid to the Dominican Republic. This aid represents the first source of income of the Dominican Republic and it is the result of the hard working culture and the solidarity of Dominican Americans.

• DANR demands that private financial institutions and governmental regulators work together on a reduction of transferring costs of these remittances.

• Private financial institutions, as a responsible partner of our community, should be involved in the development of the Dominican American community.

• Given the importance of remittances for the deployment of the Dominican Republic, DANR supports programs that use part of the Dominican American remittances to direct programs of development.

Promotion of Community Base Organizations that service Dominican American communities DANR asserts that the Dominican American communities are underserved by a lack of Dominican American community base organizations; therefore we consider it crucial to promote organizations that provide direct services to our communities.

• Government officials, corporation and private foundations need to support Dominican organizations, and US elected

officials may provide startup money from discretionary funds available.

HEALTH AND AGING Health Insurance Programs

HOUSING

Latinos and Dominicans represent the largest sector of the uninsured in the nation.

Housing Ownership At the core of the American dream is home ownership. DANR encourages Dominicans in the United States to buy a residence.

• DANR supports programs and initiatives to increase access and enrollment regardless of immigration status, in health insurance programs.

• DANR requests that agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and private financial institutions create programs that ease the access to credit ownership for Dominican families.

• DANR supports programs and initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities in areas such as: Asthma, Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Cancer/Breast Cancer, HIV/ AIDS, Mental Health as well as others.

Affordable Housing Rent

RACE, ETHNICITY GENDER AND SEXUALITY

High rents affect a disproportionate number of Dominicans in the US and Puerto Rico.

• DANR calls on lawmakers throughout the community to approve rent stabilization pro grams and provide affordable housing.

• DANR supports the creation of more affordable housing throughout the US and Puerto Rico and the extension of rent control and stabilization.

Redistricting The Voter Laws of 1965 was a centerpiece of the Civil Rights movement.

• Continuing this tradition, the DANR promote electoral districts that ease participation and political advance Latinos, and especially Dominicans in United States.

will the of the

In compliance with US regulation DANR believes that all political fundraiser activities of foreign political parties need to have the same scrutiny and accountability as domestic political fundraising activities.

• DANR asks for laws and policies that facilitate the supervision of the Dominican Republic’s political organizations and parties’ activities in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Non-political elected appointees The Dominican American community needs to be represented in senior level nonelected appointees at all level of government, from city, state to federal level.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

promotion

As Dominicans are a racially, ethnically, socially, and culturally diverse population with a very strong African ancestry, plus important aboriginal, European, and Asian roots. DANR recognizes, respects, and celebrates ethnic and racial difference.

• DANR is committed to building bridges with African Americans and other communities of color to work together in projects of common concern.

• Similarly, DANR is committed to forging collaboration ties to and building broad coalitions with other subsections of the Latino community with which Dominicans share needs and concerns.

Gender

Regulation of political financial contribution to foreign political parties

• DANR encourages the Dominican appointees.

Race and Ethnicity

of

Women play a central role in the future of the Dominican American community, especially since women outnumber men in the Dominican workforce and the majority of Dominican households are headed by women.

• DANR embraces a policy of gender equality and vigorously oppose any act of discrimination against women or any exclusion or unfair treatment based on gender bias. As an institution that is committed to diversity and the recognition of difference, DANR acknowledges, values, and respects people’s different sexual orientations.

• As such, DANR will not ally itself with any institution known to have intentionally engaged in practices of exclusion or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

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Former Presidents

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Víctor Capellán

Ana García-Reyes

Hon. Adriano Espaillat

(1999-2000)

(2001-2002)

(2000-2001)

Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo

Cid Wilson

(2002-2003)

(2003-2006)

D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H

VISION & LEADERSHIP

STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

Victor F. Capellan President of DANR and Principal of EBC Bushwick High School for Public Service in Brooklyn, New York

How did you get started with the DANR? I was invited by Margarita Cepeda to join as one of the original founders to create a national organization for all Dominicans. Initially we joined Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat on a tour around New England speaking to Dominican organizations about going to Miami for the first gathering, which was going to take place in December 1997.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

I have been lucky enough to serve on the Board of DANR for seven out of its ten years of existence. I served as the first President and was the Interim Chair for the organization during the formation of the DANR. Ten years later, I have the pleasure of serving as President once again.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? What motivates me is the potential the organization has to be a true voice for Dominicans in this country. We as Dominicans have a lot to contribute to the US, and the DANR is the perfect vehicle to make those contributions. The vision for this organization is what keeps me involved.

What was your proudest moment?

My proudest moment was the second annual conference in Rhode Island. As one of the organizers of the conference in my home state of Rhode Island, I was proud to have the Dominican leadership from across the country right in my backyard. It was one of the best DANR conferences.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

We have missed the opportunity to engage more Dominicans into the structure of the organization. We need to find ways for people to belong to the organization in meaningful ways so they can also contribute to its development. We have to look beyond the Board of Directors and create an active membership base.

Share your favorite story from your involvement with DANR. I love the “Dominicans on the Hill” event. It is truly a wonderful opportunity to have Dominicans traveling through the halls of congress bringing “una voz dominicana” to the national debate.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

DANR has tremendous potential. As the Dominican community continues to grow in numbers and continues to expand its reach across the country, we have a wide-open agenda and opportunities abound.

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Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo Executive Director of UNIDAD-Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center and President of the Dominican American National Foundation How did you get started with the DANR? I have been volunteering and servicing the Hispanic community since I was 16 years old, particularly with the Dominican community in Rhode Island through an organization I founded, named “Quisqueya In Action”. When I moved to Florida, it was a natural progression to become involved as a volunteer with the “Dominican American National Foundation” (DANF) and shortly after, I became President from 1996 to the present. For years, I made it a habit to collect information about who’s who in the Dominican community in the USA, many times by word of mouth and other times by news articles. It was my passion to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals in our community. The Foundation organized an annual leadership award presentation, and during my first year, it was given to Adriano Espaillat, the newly elected and the first Dominican ever elected to a state legislature in U.S. history. I remembered being so excited to meet Adriano Espaillat since I had followed his community involvement through the media. I related so much to his great commitment to the local community rather than Dominican politics on the Island.

As President of the DANF, I was determined to meet the goal of its founders by helping to create a national movement that embodied DANF’s mission. The DANR is the result of the coming together of individuals who believe in grassroots mobilizing and leadership, individuals who truly care about our future generations. The Dominican American National Agenda Conference in December 1997 marks the time when DANF, Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, and the young leaders of “Quisqueya In Action” started a collective process to bring our community leadership together through a shared vision and mission.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

I served as conference coordinator during the first national conference in 1997 and volunteer staff before the office opened in D.C., Vice-President of Membership 2001-2003, Elected President from October 2002 to October 2003 and Presided over the first Official US Congressional Trip to DR in April of 2003.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? There are many reasons for the creation of DANR. One of the most important was the Immigration Reform Act 1996. I remember how nervous the entire Hispanic community was about the impact of the reform, for very good reasons as we can now attest. Many community grassroots leaders were organizing different advocacy efforts in Washington to amend the Reform. The Dominican American community addressed this advocacy need by calling on the creation of the DANR. I stay involved because it is important for DANR to continue to exist with a presence in Washington.

National empowerment of the Dominican community starts with having a visible presence in our nation’s capitol.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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What was your proudest moment?

One of my proudest moments includes watching this organization build many leaders during the organizational development process. Some of the many processes that build leaders include; national board participation, the member’s responsibility in electing the new board members, selection of conference locations, helping to promote different legislative actions in local communities. The adoption of the organization is guiding principles, protecting the integrity of the by-laws and even the participation of community professionals and business leaders as speakers/panelists in the different workshops, forums and symposia.

Another of my proudest moments was making the decision to become DANR’s President in 2003, three months after having my first baby Julian Leonardo. It was a great source of pride, as was my work to create a landmark level of community participation in the 2003 conference.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

When the organization first started, there was a big opportunity to engage our youth and next generation of Dominican leaders at the time. While we appreciate our legacy leaders, we must always look to the next generation of Dominican Americans who will be rising up the ladder of leadership. I think the organization was slow to recognize the importance of seeking next generation leaders for the organization and only in the last five years has it become a greater emphasis.

Share your favorite story from your involvement with DANR. Being at Kinko‘s making copies for the conference participants at 3 a.m., just hours before the first conference in Miami, not realizing how that day was going to change our community forever!

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

I see working towards a real presence in Washington D.C and with local offices in New York, Miami, Providence, Puerto Rico and many other states. Moreover, of course, I envision a day when we will have our first Dominican American in the United States Congress and how proud we will be when he/she participates in our annual DANR “Dominicans on the Hill” Legislative Day.

Alejandra Castillo Esq. Attorney How did you get started with the DANR? My first encounter with the idea of forming a national Dominican organization came when I was approached by Ambassador Bernardo Vega. In the spring of 1997, I had just joined the Clinton Administration working as a Senior Advisor at the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, becoming one of three Dominican-American to receive an appointment position with the Administration. While I was excited at the prospect of raising the profile of Dominican-Americans in the nation’s capital, I soon became painfully aware that our community was rarely recognized and seldom invited to participate, collaborate or discuss matters concerning key federal legislative, policies or initiatives. Therefore, when Ambassador Vega approached me with the idea of creating a national organization designed to educate, coordinate and mobilize Dominican-Americans, I quickly jumped at the opportunity. My experience in Washington highlighted the reality, that despite the rapidly growing Dominican American population (over 1 million) living throughout the country, our community’s contribution remained unnoticed and often time invisible in the eyes of the legislative, political and policy decision-makers. My involvement with DANR allowed me to connect to a network of Dominican leaders who were willing to come together to ensure that our community created a voice in our nation’s capitol. Indeed, the creation in 1997 of DANR ignited a level of energy; enthusiasm and commitment among the Dominican-American leadership of the time, of which I am immensely proud of being a part of during these last ten years.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

Throughout the last 10 years, I have played many roles within DANR’s Board of Directors. My primary work has focused on identifying ways to strengthen DANR’s institutional capacity and in turn to develop ways by which the organization can serve to foster greater relationships and interface between other national non-profit organizations, business com-

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munity and the U.S. Government. As a founding member, and as a member of the Board, I strive to provide DANR with a strategic vision towards reaching positive organizational growth, as well as achieving prominence and effectiveness among local, state and federal decision-makers. Despite a short hiatus from the organization, I have always remained actively involved with, and committed to the organization since its inception. Undoubtedly, DANR is an act of love that nurtures my belief in our community is potential. My work with DANR is driven by my passion and deep conviction that when given a fair opportunity to be part of the national discourse, the Dominican-American has much to offer this great Nation.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? My commitment to DANR stems from my drive and unwavering support to ensure that opportunities are available to all Dominican-Americans through access to education, capital and political empowerment. My goal is to ensure that the work and struggles of Dominican-Americans are noted and recognized as the pipeline for future Dominican talent to succeed and continue to fuels the vibrancy and growth of our Nation’s greatest aspirations.

In spite of the inevitable organizational changes, and at times facing great difficulties and formidable obstacles, I firmly believe that DANR is a manifestation of my core philosophical belief (and the motto of this Nation) which reminds us all that in order to succeed we must all work as a community of one. E Pluribus Unum—Out of Many—One. I am inspired by the work and success DANR has achieved to provide our next generation of Dominican-Americans with the desire to grow and succeed.

What was your proudest moment?

Throughout its short life, DANR has produced many memorable and notable moments that have honored me with tremendous sense of pride an accomplishment.

In just ten short years, DANR has become a clearinghouse of policy information and legislative advocacy that continues to inform our community of the key issues that affect its welfare. Four years ago, I became the organization’s Legislative Chair. In this role I been particularly proud of the acknowledgement and participation we have received from numerous members of Congress and the Administration. I am also particularly proud of the many young students the organization has reached through its internship and Youth Leadership Program.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

As an organization, which strives for excellence with limited resources, undoubtedly there have been many missed opportunities. I believe that after 10 years, DANR is well positioned to capitalize on the opportunities that lay ahead, and to continue to make tangible inroads to ensure that Dominican Americans are represented at all level of life. As a national organization, DANR must continue to strengthen its organizational structure, augment its membership base and build its community and service delivery capacity. I am excited that DANR is now entering a new stage in its organizational development, and therefore, I invite our Dominican-American leaders to once again respond to the calling for active participation as they once did in 1997. While we must continue to reach and engage more Dominican-Americans from around the country, we must also continue to build strategic alliances with new stakeholders across ethnic, geographical and political spectrum. It is self evident that DANR effectiveness and success is directly linked to the sustained commitment, support and contribution of its members. I believe opportunities abound to make this organization a model of 21st Century non-profit advocacy organization.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

I am confident that as we embrace the challenges ahead, DANR will continue to advocate on behalf of all Dominican-American while simultaneously creating innovative approaches to community building and mobilization. More importantly, I hope that during the next 10 years, DANR will ensure that every Dominican-American is afforded the necessary opportunities to achieve their dreams.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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Adriano Espaillat New York State Assemblyman

How did you get started with the DANR? As a Dominican American National Roundtable founding board member and past president, I am delighted to participate in the 10th Annual Conference to be held in Miami Florida, where our first conference took place. It seems like only yesterday when Rhadames Peguero, Margarita Cepeda, Victor Capellan and I got together to establish the Dominican American National Roundtable in December of 1997. As the first Dominican American elected to state office, I believed it was essential that as Dominicans, we establish an independent national framework by which to address our collective issues and make our mark nationally, not only in the political arena but also in the social and private sector.

What was your proudest moment?

As the DANR evolved, it was with enormous pride that I saw the many faces of leadership from all parts of the nation reaffirming the integral role Dominican Americans command in this great nation. It was with the support of this leadership that we were able to come together at a summit held at CITY College in New York City to establish the by-laws under which the organization currently functions. I am pleased to see that we continue to rely on this leadership to move our agenda along.

Where do you see DANR going in the next 10 years?

When I look back on the past ten years, I believe the most significant accomplishment was the establishment of the Washington D.C. office that occurred during my tenure as President of the DANR. The establishment of the DC office has given us the opportunity to pave the way for a national voice. I believe the DANR is a in a prime position to capitalize on greater funding opportunities to implement its national agenda while seeking to institutionalize itself as a premiere organization serving to empower Dominican Americans across the country.

Ana Garcia-Reyes Special Assistant to the President for Community Relations & Director of International Programs How did you get started at DANR? Local meetings took place in New York in search of support for the first ever-National organization of Dominican Americans. I attended a few informational meetings in the city of New York then and became fascinated with the concept of creating a national organization that would advocate on behalf of the interests of Dominican Americans. I immediately connected with the urgent need to create a forum that would voice the interests of the Dominican American community at a national level.

I became an active participant of DANR since its inception by means of participating in meetings and by attending the first conference in Miami, Florida.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

Since its inception, I chaired or formed part of different committees in DANR: the conference, the elections, the outreach and recruitment, the legislative affairs, the education, the membership, committees and board retreats/planning committees among others. In addition, I served as Executive Board Member, Vice President of Membership, President,

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and Advisory Board Member. Furthermore, I represented the organization at city, state, national, and international meetings and public forums.

As President of DANR in 2001, I leaded the first national effort of its members to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the interest of Dominican Americans in the USA. I facilitated all possible resources to sustain and fortify DANR's infrastructure with the hope that this would survive for the generations to come. I have contributed by connecting highly regarded scholars, community leaders, students and high-ranking administrators to participate and support the organization. Equally important have been my ongoing efforts of outreach and recruited to students to join the organization, I see the students as the ones carrying the legacy of DANR. During my tenure as President, a successful fundraising campaign was conducted, targeted at creating a voters registration campaign in Washington Heights. The campaign was highly successful. A significant number of residents of the Washington Heights community were registered to vote.

What motivated you to become /stay involved in DANR? My personal commitment of helping Dominican Americans here and in the Dominican Republic is what keeps me motivated. Knowing that the prosperity of the Dominican American community will depend, to a great extent, on how well educated our children are. We must remember that in order to have responsible/committed leaders we have to invest time and effort now. The Dominican American community needs a voice at Capitol Hill and DANR is that voice. Often times public policies determine the future of generations to come, and DANR can influence and advocate on policies that would benefit the Dominican American community.

DANR is the channel that voices the interest of our community at a national level, and that is highly important to me.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

Ten years from now, I would like to see our second and third generation of Dominican Americans discussing how important DANR is for Dominican Americans and seeing them carry the legacy and fruits of our mission as an organization. As I reflect on the past, I think about that first time when a group of us visited Capitol Hill for the first time. I clearly remember Congressman Charles Rangel telling me, "You are making history today. Great leaders walked through these corridors like you advocating on behalf of their people, and because of them many of us enjoy the liberties that we have today".

What was your proudest moment?

Visiting the Capitol Hill as President of DANR with DANR members was an unforgettable experience; we were a group of about 20 Dominicans who knew that we had to tap the power structure to voice the needs of the Dominican American community. Letting members of both houses know that Dominican Americans were here to stay was a great learning experience for all of us. "The Dominican Business Legislative Meeting DANR Congressional Reception of June 11-12, 2002 was an unforgettable experience at Washington, DC which once more convinced me that DANR must continue its mission of opening doors and speaking on behalf of the Dominican American Community of the USA. Seeing the tremendous potential that our young leaders have and seeing us go through the exercise of creating an organization that will survive throughout the years makes me feel very proud of DANR. What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

Because we have so many talented leaders with so many different styles, I think that we have done well for the past ten years. Those of us that have served DANR have contributed the best of our potential and ability. Therefore, I commend all of those who decided to donate their time and talents to serve on the DANR board.

Opportunities came and we took advantage of the areas that we were able to respond to as an organization.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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Rhadames Peguero Executive Director of the Dominican American National Foundation

How did you get started with the DANR? In 1996, we invited Adriano Espaillat to Miami, Florida to receive “The Dominican American Leadership Award” as part of the Seventh Anniversary celebration for The Dominican American National Foundation.

The next day Margarita Cepeda, DANF President, Adriano Espaillat and I met at Embassy Suites Hotel to discuss the future of the Dominican American community and decided to organize a meeting with Dominican American elected officials, community leaders, professionals, college students, and anyone interested in a better future for our community. At the beginning, we called this initiative “The Dominican American National Agenda”, but later we decided on the official name - Dominican American National Roundtable (or DANR).

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

As a DANR founder, and board member, I have traveled hundreds of miles, and expended much time and effort in order to materialize the idea of a Dominican American national agenda through DANR. In 1997, The Dominican American National Foundation Board of Directors approved our participation in the organization of the First DANR National Conference; I was able to secure sponsorship from American Airlines, Presidente Beer, and the Dominican Republic consulate in Miami.

During a 1999 board meeting in Washington, D.C. I insisted on the opening of an office in Washington, D.C. and was able to get approval from the DANR Board of Directors to find a location. I contacted the property managers of the present location soon after Jose Bello was hired by DANR as Executive Director, and he finalized the negotiations for the office.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? When we talk about our community, we are talking about our children and grandchildren; they are the real “Dominican Americans”. We have to develop a national agenda that secures a better and brighter future for them. I also think that DANR can be the most powerful Dominican American organization in USA, as long as we choose the right leadership.

When you look at the organization ten years later: I see many dedicated people who have invested time and money in this effort. I see DANR gaining recognition from other communities and the corporate world.

What was your proudest moment?

Being selected as Conference Chairman in 2003.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

We have missed opportunities to participate actively in important issues affecting our “Latino” communities. We have missed opportunities to help in the creation of Community Based Organizations in different regions where there is a presence of Dominicans. We have missed opportunities because we have not obtained enough funds to have permanent staff in Washington. Moreover, we have missed opportunities to organize regional committees all over the USA

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Share your favorite story from your involvement with DANR. My participation in the opening of our office in Washington, and the trip to D.R. with 17 US Congress Representatives.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

If we can organize properly, DANR can be the organization representing the Dominican American community throughout all of the USA.

Ramona Romero Esq. Corporate Counsel, Logistics and Energy at DuPont

How did you get started with DANR? In late 1997, a friend forwarded an e-mail inviting Dominicans from across the United States to gather in Miami. My friend and I got on a plane and attended that first national meeting in December 1997.

What roles have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

I joined the interim steering committee formed soon after the 1997 Miami meeting. That group, which included many of the leaders who conceived the idea of forming the DANR (among them Margarita Cepeda, Victor Capellan, and Rhadames Peguero), worked to develop and define the mission of the Roundtable and to secure the resources required to implement that mission.

I had the privilege of drafting the organizational by-laws and articles of incorporation, and signed the incorporation documents along with Roberto Alvarez and Alejandra Castillo. I served on the steering committee and later on the Board of Directors in various capacities until 2002.

What motivated you to become involved in DANR? I believe in the mission of political and socio-economic empowerment that the DANR was created to advance.

Looking at the DANR ten years later, what was your proudest moment?

Rather than a moment, I am proudest of two facts: (1) the willingness of the original leadership to yield control to new, younger leaders without losing its deep commitment; and (2) that the Roundtable has proven reasonably able to advance community empowerment without being co-opted by any particular faction.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

Given the Dominican presence in states like New York and Florida, DANR can help Dominicans become a real force in U.S. electoral politics. Progress has been made, but we are still far from the finish line.

Where do you see the DANR going in the next ten years?

I see a DANR that is well funded and well staffed and that operates in multiple fronts. I see a DANR that promotes the interests of Dominican-Americans through public policy advocacy, voter education, economic, educational empowerment initiatives, and impact litigation.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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Cid Wilson Director of Equity Research, Kevin Dann & Partners LLC in New York City

How did you get started with the DANR? I first heard about the DANR when Oscar Herasme and the Dominican American Professional Alliance notified me about the first conference in 1997 in Miami. I was unable to attend the first two conferences, but I was a speaker at the Third National Conference in New York.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

I was elected to the board in 2001. Within a year, I was elected first Vice President, before becoming president of the DANR from October 2003 to February 2007.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? The idea of building a national voice on behalf of the Dominican community in the United States. When I was President, I traveled over 100,000 miles and over 30 states to bring together Dominicans from all over the nation. The more Dominicans I met, the more I learned and the more the organization grew. People were excited about the idea of collaborating with a national organization such as the DANR and I was motivated to stay involved and make it a reality.

What was your proudest moment?

My proudest moment was standing with a bi-partisan coalition of Congress and numerous Latino, African American, and Asian American leaders for the signing into law of the Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.

Despite efforts to weaken the bill, we fought for the renewal and got everything we wanted with no watered down amendments.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

The DANR is still a young organization in comparison to many of our national partners. I do not think that we have any missed opportunities, but rather we are a work-in-progress as we continue to grow and become an increasingly important voice not only for Dominican Americans, but also for all people of color.

Share your favorite story from your involvement with DANR. I have so many stories of my experiences in the DANR ranging from my first visit to Lawrence, MA to my official tour of Dominican areas in Grand Rapids, MI. However, my favorite story was my decision to visit our northern-most Dominicans in the United States . . . in Anchorage, Alaska. I was completely surprised at how many Dominicans live in Alaska and how organized they were. While the state has cold temperatures, the many Dominicans that have made Alaska their home warmly welcomed me.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

I see the DANR growing even bigger over the next ten years and taking on even a greater role at the national level to empower the Dominican community. We are one of the fastest growing sub-groups among Latinos and I see the DANR increasingly prepared to tackle the challenges facing our growing community.

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D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

Jose Bello Former DANR Executive Director

How did you get started with the DANR? At the end of 1997, I wanted to do an internship at the Dominican Embassy in Washington, D.C. My idea was to organize Dominican college students in an association of some sort, with the help and resources of Embassy. In January 1998, H.E. Bernardo Vega, then DR Ambassador to the United States of America, asked me to help him as a liaison between the recently formed DANR and the Dominican Embassy. It was a volunteer work, but it was a challenge, and it changed my life forever. That spring and summer of 1998, Amb. Vega, Margarita Cepeda and I organized a couple of meetings, and a summer retreat as a follow-up to the first conference in Miami. At the end of this process a steering committee and, a Board of Directors, were formed. That is how I became a member of the founding board of DANR. What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

First, I was a liaison between Amb. Vega and DANR. Soon after, I was selected to be member of the Board of Directors, first representing Washington DC, and later, as I moved to graduate school, representing New York State, and finally Massachusetts. I was DANR’s first Vice President and in October 2001, I was appointed to become the first DANR Executive Director. Since I left DANR to work in the New York banking sector in 2004, I have been a rank-and-file member, and a direct supporter of DANR’s last two presidents – Cid Wilson and Victor Capellan.

What motivated you to become/stay in DANR? I became involved because I wanted to do something for my people. Originally, I came to the US to get an advanced academic degree and then go home to help in the Dominican Republic. Quickly, thanks to DANR, I realized that helping Dominicans in the US was as important as helping Dominicans in DR. I remain committed to in DANR, because I think I could bring some added value to it.

In addition, I stayed because I have learned that in community organizing you “make lemonade with the lemons you have.” Moreover, you believe in people, or you do not get involved. I did not want to wait until Dominicans in the United States get to an “acceptable level,” so that I could become involved with the community. I believe in Dominicans, so, I work with Dominicans at any level in which may be. Yet, I will not let you believe that it is not painful, even irrational, to work with our communities and leadership. However, if we don’t do it, who will?

What was your proudest moment?

As part of DANR, there have been many proud moments. Like when we organized the first ever US Congressional Delegation visit to DR, or when DANR coordinated the first ever visit of a Dominican Republic President to Capitol Hill. I am especially proud that DANR was able to fight, and later win, a rectification of the numbers of Dominicans reported in the US Census of 2000 (we had been 25% under-classified).

Nevertheless, as a group, I believe that we should be proud of the fact that people in Washington DC know more about our community today, than they did ten years ago. When I went to Washington DC, in October of 2001, to open the headquarters of DANR, not many people in Washington knew about Dominicans. If they knew about Hispanic groups, they knew only about Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans Americans.

Thanks to the work of DANR members living and working in Washington DC, our nation’s capital knows about Dominican Americans: we are at the table, we are talking, and “they” are beginning to listen.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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However, my proudest moments of all – so far – have been working with Dominican American students, volunteers and interns during my time in Washington DC. It has been most rewarding to see them grow as Dominicans and as Americans, to see them grow in their knowledge of the American policy making process, and to be a distant witness of their professional development. This is especially true with DANR alumnae Annie Mingues and Deni Taveras.

However, in 10 years, my proudest moment will be when my Dominican American son Jose Ramon, or, perhaps my daughter Maria Esperanza, asks me if I had something to do with the foundation and development of DANR, and I will say, “YES, I was part of it!”

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

Dominicans, especially Dominican Americans, are successful at running for political office – more than 40 seats have been won in 17 years, but they have a less stellar record in building institutions, especially sound and professional full time service organizations. I believe that DANR has missed an opportunity to support and foster local organizations that could be making real difference inside of our Dominican and Hispanic communities. Moreover, at the same time, DANR has failed to build itself as a prime beacon of accountability, as a leadership source, and as a proactive organization with a clear voice at a local, national and international level.

Share your favorite story from your involvement with DANR. It has always puzzled me why the Board of Directors’ meetings were run in English until someone “se descalentaba,” and then everything turned into Spanish. Then, when the water settled, the meeting was once again held in English.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

We, Dominican Americans, especially Dominicans like me, not born in the mainland US, love the microphone and the photo ops. We have to move out of that stage. The fact is that when we came to this country, we came seeking our future, but very soon, we realized that we are building another future, the one for our children and grandchildren. It is not about us, it is about them and their children.

For me, the best outcome of DANR, in these ten years, has been to connect Dominicans that are working for, and with, other Dominicans in the United States. DANR cannot do everything, but it needs to be the “salt and light” of our future. See you in ten years!

Bernardo Vega Historian and Former Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in the Unites States of America How did you get started with the DANR? I got started with DANR when I was Dominican Ambassador to the White House (1997-1999).

While Ambassador, I tried to stimulate the formation of the group, sponsoring meetings in Washington and looking for financial support.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? To me, DANR can become the most efficient lobbying arm of the Dominican American community.

What was your proudest moment?

Proudest moments: Being invited to DARN meetings when I was no longer Ambassador.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

Missed opportunity: a permanent full time representative in Washington.

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D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

Muriel Alfonseca Social Development Specialist- Inter-American Development Bank How did you get started with the DANR? Ambassador Bernardo Vega, upon his return from the 1997 event in Florida, talked to me about the event and how he believed that I should be involved. Next summer, Jose Bello was intern at the Embassy and asked me to help him to put together the event in DC. At that event, Victor Capellan was elected the first President.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

When Board seat was open in Washington, DC, I became a Board Member. I was Co-Chair, with Radhames Peguero, of the 2003 Annual Conference in Atlantic City, the most successful one so far. I also, was elected Assistant Treasurer. In 2003, we developed a high caliber agenda that brought 10 Congressman, 5 democrats led by Charlie Rangel and 5 republicans led by Cass Ballanger, to the Dominican Republic. Among agenda items was the opportunity to discuss the need to support the inclusion of the DR in the CAFTA negotiations talks announced by President Bush.

In 2004, I became responsible for operations and finances in the Washington, DC office.

Since then I have worked very hard to keep the office operations running and played a key role in re-establishing a sound accounting system. I was appointed Chair of Office Operations by former President Cid Wilson, which was also endorsed by the current President, Victor Capellan. I have also played a key role in the planning and coordination of our last two conferences. Last year, I introduced the idea of the DANR Memoirs publication, a more comprehensive and complete publication that comprehends DANR’s yearround activities and advocacy efforts.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? Strong sense of public service, responsibility and commitment with the Dominican community in the US and the Dominican Republic.

What was your proudest moment?

I have many proudest moments, but I have to say that the first bipartisan Congressional Delegation to the Dominican Republic was the biggest one. In addition, I have to say that the relationships that we have developed and established with members of the administration, Congress and our new multinational sponsors are a great source of pride. The fact that we are been recognized by the administration and members of Congress when issues that affect the community are discussed it is a great indicator that we have penetrated those circles of power. More recently, the Peruvians have organized and chose our model to found their organization, they even took our mission statement and adapted it to their interests and needs!

Share your favorite story from your involvement with DANR. My favorite story is to have witnessed our growth in the last couple of years. We have become a nationally renowned organization by our peers, Congress and the administration. The outreach efforts of leaders like Cid Wilson, among others have really taken this organization to a new level. As Charlie Rangel said during our last Business Legislative Day, “DANR is being heard in the Capitol hallways”.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

It may sound cliché but I strongly believe that the sky is the limit for DANR…. we can go anywhere we want to go but we have to not only brainstorm but instead, also commit and make it happen!

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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Zenaida Mendez Director of External Affairs for the Manhattan Neighborhood Network Public Service Television

How did you get started with the DANR? I believe I got more involved during the planning for the conference in Rhode Island. I take credit for bringing Congressman Charles Rangel there, and I coordinated the women's workshop.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

I was a member of the Board of Directors. I represent DANR at officials business. I have also helped plan various conferences and at the office in DC. What do you think when you look at the organization ten years later?

It is a breakthrough and another milestone in the history of the Dominican Community in the US that DANR still here.

Ten years ago, I thought DANR would be able to deal with issues affecting us in the US: affordable housing, health care, immigration, environmental justice and education by implementing a strategy plan that would put the Dominican community at the same level as many other National organizations in the US. In my opinion, although we have achieved many goals, there are still more to accomplish.

What was your proudest moment?

There have been several proud moments in the years that I have been involved: establishing an office in Washington, DC, and the creation of The Leadership Institute, but the proudest is to see the growth and maturity of some of the people who convened ten years ago in Miami for the first gathering.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

Addressing the immigration issue specifically when Rhadames Peguero was able to have a petition signed by attendees at the conference in Boston, MA. If DANR had carried out the recommendations of the majority of the members who attended that conference, it would have put DANR on the map as one of the leading organizations advocating for a comprehensive immigration reform.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

In the next ten years, I see DANR as one of the national Latino leading organizations in the US, which has organized a national movement in defense of all people of color. Working on coalition building, keeping us informed of legislation that negatively affects us so that we can do something about it. I also see DANR working independently, operating on members and grants from progressive foundations. I see DANR organizing and galvanizing our communities for a comprehensive immigration reform, taking a more progressive stand on issues, and educating and informing US representatives on issues that we care.

My dream is that DANR can offers scholarships to Dominican lead grass root not for profit organizations to send representatives to the annual conference. As it is right now, only those who are more financially successful members can afford to cover the cost of attending the conference.

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D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

Frank R. Rainieri CEO, PUNTACANA Resort & Club

How did you get started with the DANR? I first found out about DANR when Bernardo Vega called me telling me that groups of Dominicans were planning to come together to work for the Dominican community abroad and to improve the relationship between the two countries. I immediately supported this initiative because I strongly believe that it was about time that a national, not sectorial, heterogeneous group a cross us, take on this initiative.

What role(s) have you played in DANR over the last 10 years?

My role has not been as strong as would have a liked it to be. We have given financial support and we have participated at DANR events as speakers addressing other businessmen, national politicians, and members of Congress.

What motivated you to become/stay involved in DANR? As I said before, I have always considered the need to count with strong institutions that serves the society. In the case of the Dominican Diaspora, the U.S. has lacked formal representation although some people of Dominican origin have achieved important positions in U.S. Courts, local politics and in other institutions, all of them at personal levels of achievement and does not necessarily work as a representative vehicle of society. In addition, the diversity DANR have is very choices, represents many of the segments, the people of Wall Street, the businessmen of different sectors and cities, the professionals, the workers, the academics, etc. I believe that is very important to be able to contribute a “granito de arena� to a such representative institution, and I believe that this serves, just like the Latin American Chambers of Commerce, as vehicle to bring to light and to pressure for issues of interest for Dominicans or their children residing in the United States and to support the enhancement of the relations between United States and the Dominican Republic whether they be social, cultural or commercial.

What was your proudest moment?

The moment of greater satisfaction was when I saw DANR gather hundreds of Dominicans from all parts of U.S. for its convention in Atlantic City in 2003. That was the first great true demonstration of consolidation for the organization.

What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity?

I never think about any missed opportunities, I would imagine that after a great takeoff there is always a period of lethargy. Probably because there was a movement but toward the academia, that is so important, but I believe that to carry out the necessary dynamic, one must go with a course but more focused towards the politics and business for a period.

Where do you see DANR going in the next ten years?

DANR should become, in the spokesman of all the sectors of the Dominican community in the politics and entrepreneurial fields. I believe that with great leadership and strong support (making room for other institutions that exist) DANR, could be the umbrella of the descendants of Dominicans and can achieve a position in US society. As the one that have the Italians, or the "strength" of the Mexicans or that of the Irish.

T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s !

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1997

Dominican American

Conference Meeting in Miami, Florida

1998 - Founding Me mbers at CUNY, Ne w York

DANR Board and Me mbers, DC- By-Law Meeting

e Capitol d DANR in th an t en id es an Pr The Dominic Group Photo Punta Cana following dinner in Resort durin g DANR

Planning Meeting at CUNY National Leadership Gathering

2000 - 3rd DANR National Annual Conference in New York

2001 - 4th DANR National Annual Conference in Washington, DC

2002 - 5th DANR National Annual Conference in Washington, DC

2002 - 2003 DANR Calendar

National Roundtable

al the 6th DANR Annual Nation DANR Board Members in NJ y, Conference in Atlantic Cit

Dominican White Ho use Event

ican r the Domin ton, DC g Students fo in h as W in Institute ip h rs e ad Le

2003 - 6th DANR National Annual Conference in Atlantic City, NJ

2004 – 7th DANR Annual National Conference in New York, NY

2006

DR President, Leon el Fernandez, Frank Rainieri and Berna 6th DANR Annual Na ndo Vega at the tional Conference

or House US Congressional Trip in the DR Ambassad

9th DANR Annual Confe rence in Atlantic City, NJ

2005 – 8th DANR Annual National Conference in Boston, MA

2006 - 9th DANR Annual National Conference in Atlantic City, NJ

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H

ADVOCACY EFFORTS/ CALL FOR ACTION

STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

Luis Guzman and Victor Capellan in Miami Radio Station

DANR Expresses Objection to Fee Increases in Immigration Applications by USCIS; Calls on Bush Administration and Congress to Provide Necessary Funding for Agency On February 2, 2007, the Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) issued a strong objection to the proposed increases in the fees for residents seeking immigrant services from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). DANR publicly called on the Bush Administration and Congress to provide USCIS with the appropriate funding so that the thousands of Dominicans and millions of immigrants wishing to naturalize can make U.S. citizenship a reality. The DANR acknowledged that there are increased costs for improving services and reducing the current backlog of applications, however the DANR believes that those increased costs should not be absorbed by hard-working immigrants, many of whom earn a minimum wage.

DANR Board Names Victor Capellan the New President of the Dominican American National Roundtable On February 21, 2007, the Dominican American National Roundtable announced that it has named Victor F. Capellan as its new President effective February 19, 2007. Mr. Capellan was elected by the majority of the national board of directors, whose geographic locations spread across 10 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Mr. Capellan succeeds

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DANR National Board with Congressman Charles Rangel and State Senator Juan Pichardo

Hon. Cid Wilson whose term as President is officially complete. Mr. Capellan was the organization’s first President, when community leaders came together in 1997, to launch what was originally an idea that have become a national reality today in the Dominican community.

DANR Applauds the Introduction of the “Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007” Which Addresses the Planned Fee Hikes by the US Citizenship & Immigration Services On March 9, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) applauded the introduction of the Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007 in the

DANR Praises Re-Introduction of DREAM Act in US Senate and American Dream Act in the House.

Calls for Swift Passage

United States Congress which took place on March 7, 2007. The bill was introduced in the United States Senate by

On March 8, 2007, the Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) praised the re-introduction of The DREAM Act in the U.S. Senate and its companion bill, The American Dream Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The DREAM Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate in the previous week by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN).

The American Dream Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the previous week by Congress members Howard Berman (D-CA), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lucille RoybalAllard (D-CA). The DANR is called on Congress to pass the bill and for President George W. Bush to sign it into law. The DREAM Act would help undocumented immigrants who were raised in the U.S. and graduated from U.S. high schools to attend college and put them on a path to citizenship in America.

Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). In the House of Representatives, it was introduced by Representatives Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Mike Honda (D-CA), Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Hilda Solis (DCA), Ed Pastor (D-AZ), and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). If passed by Congress, the bill would freeze the proposed fee increases by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) which the DANR believes would challenge the ability of immigrants to naturalize and it would also provide resources to improve the naturalization process for immigrants and their families. The DANR called on Congress

to

pass

the

Citizenship

Promotion Act of 2007 and urged the community to ask their members of Congress to support this important legislation.

D A N R l 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E

New York City Committee Meeting

State Senator Juan Pichardo, Annie Minguez and Victor Capellan

“DANR Pleased by the Introduction of the STRIVE Act of 2007” On March 23, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR), expressed satisfaction and optimism by the bipartisan introduction of the Security

Through

Regularized

Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act

U.S. Senate and its companion bill, The American Dream Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

By signing this petition, which DANR will present to members of Congress you will be supporting our call for Congress to pass the bill and for President George W. Bush to sign into law.

of 2007 (STRIVE ACT of 2007). The bill was introduced by Representatives Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ). If passed by Congress, the comprehensive immigration reform bill would provide regularized legal channels for new immigrants, help strengthen the economy, reforms the employment and familybased immigration system, and provide a path towards earned citizenship. DANR believes that comprehensive immigration reform is right for our community, it’s right for our economy, and its right for America. The DANR continues to study the legislation and work with members of Congress to address the strengths and challenges in the STRIVE Act.

DANR asks you to “TAKE ACTION AND SIGN OUR PETITION” On March 28, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) is asked the community to TAKE ACTION AND SIGN OUR PETITION calling for passage of The DREAM Act in the

DANR Meets with Congress and Delivers a Strong Message on Priorities for the Dominican Community On April 25, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) held its Fifth Annual Legislative Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Thursday April 19, 2007, with great success as it took its message of national advocacy on behalf of the Dominican community to members of Congress.

During the Fifth Annual Legislative Day, the DANR discussed with key members of Congress important issues to Dominican Americans, such as Immigration reform, education, the upcoming 2010 Census, economic empowerment, and the strengthening of the Dominican Republic and Haiti relations. Among the priorities on the Immigration topic, the DANR urged Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that recognizes our Nation’s proud history as a country of immigrants.

PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y l S t ro n g L e a d e r s h i p . . . S t ro n g e r c o m m u n i t i e s !

DANR Welcomes the Senate Immigration Debate and Urges the Senate to Support Menendez-Hagel Amendment On May 23, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) applauded the Senate’s action to bring comprehensive immigration reform to the Senate floor for debate. While the DANR commended the Senate for taking the leadership position to provide a pathway to legalization to over 12 million undocumented workers and the important inclusion of the DREAM Act, expressed serious concerns over several provisions included in the Senate Immigration Reform Compromise that was brokered by a bipartisan group of Senators.

The DANR strongly supported the Menendez-Hagel Amendment which would change the “cut-off” date for legal immigrant applicants who would otherwise be handled under the backlog reduction part of the bill from May 1, 2005 to January 1, 2007, which is the same cut-off date that is currently set for the legalization of the undocumented immigrants. It would also add 110,000 green cards a year to ensure that we don’t start creating a new backlog or cause the eight year deadline for clearing the family backlog to slip by a few years. The amendment was introduced

by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and co-sponsored by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Christopher Dodd (DCT), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Barack

31

Obama (D-IL). The DANR urged the community to contact their Senators.

amendment would not change the bill’s purpose or substance, but it would safeguard our immigration system and ensure that only the best practices are permanently implemented.

The DANR Urges the Senate to Vote “YES” on the Following Amendments Menendez-Hagel Amendment

DANR Blasts US Citizenship and Immigration Service For Excessive Fee Increases That Will Hurt Dominican and Immigrant Families. Fee Increases a“Luxury Tax” for Immigrants On June 1, 2007, the Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) expresses its strong disappointment to the

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Citizenship

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Immigration Service (USCIS) for its final decision to raise fees for immigrant services. On May 29, the USCIS announced its final fee structure for immigrant services which are set to take effect on July 30, 2007. Even more disappointing to the DANR is that some of the final fee increases are actually higher than the original proposed increases by the

Introduced by Senators Robert Menendez (D–NJ) and Chuck Hagel (R–NE)

The Menendez-Hagel amendment would change the “cut-off” date for legal immigrant applicants from May 1, 2005 to January 1, 2007 which is the same “cut-off date” set for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

The DANR Urged the Senate to Vote “NO” on the Following Amendments Allard Amendments Introduced by Senator Wayne Allard (R–CO)

This amendment would deny green cards to Z visa holders.

Clinton-Hagel-Menendez Amendment Introduced by Senators Hilary Rodham Clinton (D–NY), Chuck Hagel (R–NE), and Robert Menendez (D–NJ)

Cornyn Amendment #1184

The Clinton-Hagel-Menendez amendment will re-categorize spouses and children of LPRs as “immediate relatives,” thereby eliminating the cap on the number of visas available to these family members and thus allow permanent residents of the U.S. to reunite with their spouses and minor children.

Introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R–TX)

Dodd-Menendez Amendment

Sessions Amendments #1234 and #1235

This amendment would expand the class of aggravated felony crimes and make them retroactive, resulting in the most drastic consequences for immigrants. It would make the fraudulent use of a Social Security number for employment reasons grounds for deportation.

USCIS in its January 31 announcement.

DANR expressed our community profound disappointed with proposed fee increases by the USCIS as this will create hardship not only for new and future Dominican immigrants, but also the thousands of Dominican American families who sponsor family-based migration to the U.S. DANR called on Congress to act accordingly to remedy the potential damage that the fee increases will have on immigrant communities.

DANR Urges United States Senate to Support Pro-Family Immigration Reform Amendments and Oppose Divisive Ones On June 5, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) urged the community to call their United States Senators and tell them that we want a comprehensive immigration reform bill that unites families.

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Introduced by Senators Christopher Dodd (D–CT) and Robert Menendez (D–NJ)

Introduced by Senator Jeff Sessions (R–AL)

The Dodd-Menendez amendment would increase the annual cap of green cards from 40,000 to 90,000 for parents. It would also extend the duration of the family visitor visa from 30 days to 180 days and make the visa renewable for 3 years in order to make it easier for families to remain together for a longer period. Additionally, it would make penalties levied on individuals who overstay their visa only applicable to that individual and not collectively applied to their fellow citizens.

Obama-Menendez Amendments Introduced by Senators Barack Obama (D–IL) and Robert Menendez (D–NJ)

The Obama-Menendez Amendments would “sunset” or repeal the point system after five years of implementation.

Congress could then renew the point system or reinstate revised versions of the historically used family-based and employment-based systems – whichever serves the American people best. This

• These amendments would deny the Earned Income Tax Credit to legal immigrants.

• The Sessions #1234 Amendment would deny immigrants the Earned Income Tax Credit after they achieve legal status, forcing them to pay much higher tax rates than other Americans until they have adjusted to legal permanent resident status (which could take many years).

• The Sessions #1235 Amendment would impose a five-year block on Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility for virtually all legal immigrants.

McConnell Amendment #1170 Introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell (R–KY)

This amendment would require photo identification for voting which has nothing to do with immigration reform, and would likely reduce participation of eligible voters who lack the documentation

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Capitol Building in Washington, District of Columbia

this amendment requires. All U.S. citizens would be required to obtain identification documents that would allow them to vote.

It would consequently establish a form of “poll tax� which will undermine electoral participation.

DANR Calls on US Senate and President Bush to Work Together to Pass Real Comprehensive Immigration Reform On June 12, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) called on the United States Senate to keep working towards a comprehensive

immigration reform bill that provides a path towards citizenship for the thousands of undocumented Dominicans and millions of undocumented immigrants, and does not create new family reunification obstacles. The DANR is called on President George W. Bush to work harder to engage those members of the United States Senate who were responsible for attempting to derail the bill with unworkable amendments.

Additionally, the DANR expresses strong disappointment that the Senate was unable to come together to pass an immigration reform bill.

The DANR is hold Republican and Democratic Congressional Members, as

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well as President Bush responsible for passing immigration reform in the Congress this year. Failure to pass a bill would be viewed by Dominican Americans who are spread throughout all fifty states as a failure of national leadership to address one of the most critical issues affecting our Nation today. The Senate compromise had some negative provisions that needed to be improved upon through amendments or in House/Senate conference. The DANR expressed its strong disappointment in the failure of many family-based amendments last week. An immigration bill that separates families goes against the core principles of family values in America.

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DANR urged the Senate to return its focus on providing leadership and resolve to provide true Immigration Reform.

DANR Vows to Keep Fighting for Real Comprehensive Immigration Reform On July 3, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) vowed to continue to fight for real comprehensive immigration reform that is fair, realistic, and achieves the goal of bringing the thousands of undocumented Dominicans and the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants into the American sunlight while uniting families.

The DANR thanked the many Senators who tried to make improvements to the so-called “Grand Compromise” and attempted to keep the debate alive in the U.S. Senate.

The DANR worked with Congress to pass immigration legislations that command broad bi-partisan support including the DREAM Act, which will address the challenges facing the thousands of undocumented students who are seeking educational opportunities that will ultimately benefit all Americans.

The DANR expressed grave concern that more anti-immigrant local ordinances will be proposed if Congress does not act on comprehensive immigration reform.

DANR Urges US Senate to Pass DREAM Act Amendment to National Defense Authorization Act On July 17, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR)

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is called on the United States Senate to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act). United States Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) are expected to introduce the DREAM Act as an amendment to H.R. 1585: The National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2008 as early as today. The amendment requires 60 votes in the Senate to pass. If the DREAM Act becomes law, it will bring our undocumented immigrant students one step closer to having access to a college education and a path to citizenship.

Our undocumented students did not come to the U.S. by choice and many have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives.

anti-immigrant local laws in the United States.

On July 26th 2007, Judge James M. Munley of the U.S. District Court in Scranton, PA issued a ruling via a 207 page opinion that the Hazleton, PA ordinance, known as the “Illegal Immigration Relief Act”: The challenge to the Hazleton ordinances were led by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund (PRLDEF), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Pennsylvania, the PA Community Justice Project, the law firm of Cozen O’Connor, and local lawyers David Vaida and George Barron.

DANR Urges US Senate to Pass DREAM Act Amendment to HR: 1585: National Defense Authorization Act

The DANR Praises Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Ordinances of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. US District Judge Ruled Hazleton Ordinances as Unconstitutional On July 27, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) praised the ruling in a Pennsylvania U.S. District Court in the case of Lozano V. City of Hazleton. The Court ruled Hazleton’s anti-immigrant ordinances as unconstitutional. The Hazleton ordinances sought to impose severe penalties on landlords and employers if they rented to, or hired undocumented residents. Under another law, Hazleton tenants would have had to prove they were citizens or lawful residents, register with the city, and pay for a city-issued rental permit in order to receive an occupancy permit. The Hazleton ordinances were considered to be among the strictest

On September 20, 2007, The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) called on the United States Senate to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act). United States Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) were expected to introduce the DREAM Act as an amendment to H.R. 1585: The National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2008.

The amendment requires 60 votes in the Senate to pass. If the DREAM Act becomes law, it will bring our undocumented immigrant students one step closer to having access to a college education and a path to citizenship. Our undocumented students did not come to the U.S. by choice and many have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives.

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O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H

SPECIAL EVENTS

STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

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Dominican Identity and Migrations to Hispaniola DANR hosted a showing of the film “Dominican Identity & Migration to Hispaniola”. This was a the film that was shown during the DANR conference and recently during the NJ Conference on Dominican Affairs. Approximately 135 people attended including students from high schools and colleges, community leaders, professors and much more.

The film documents the roots of the African, African–American, Caribbean, European, Arabic, Jewish, and Asian migrations to Hispaniola and how these groups have contributed to the multicultural richness of the Dominican people. The documentary playing time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Dominican Identity and Migrations To Hispaniola was researched and produced by Nestor Montilla, a board member of the DANR and also Director of Public Relations at Hostos Community College, a campus of the City University of New York located in the Bronx, NY. The film was commissioned by Ana I. Garcia–Reyes, Director of International Programs for Hostos Community College and the 2002 President of the DANR. The film is narrated by Dr. Irma Nicasio of the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo.

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The White House Reception in honor of the 163rd Dominican Independence Celebration 4

On Monday, March 5, 2007, the White House hosted the 5th Annual Dominican Independence Day Reception. The keynote speaker this year was Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.

Hon. Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce commemorated Dominican Independence Day at the White House. In his remarks, the Secretary praised the Dominican government for moving forward with CAFTA–DR implementation, “I applaud Dominican President Leonel Fernandez and the government of the Dominican Republic for implementing the CAFTA–DR Free Trade Agreement. CAFTA–DR has proven to be an exceptional agreement. I'm very pleased that the Dominican Republic is joining its Central American neighbors in implementing CAFTA–DR. The Dominican Republic is our largest export market among the CAFTA–DR countries with exports totaling $5.3 billion in 2006. We are pleased to be able to advance our long–standing friendship and deepen our trading relations with the Dominican Republic".

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1 Artwork of the film "Dominican Identity & Migration to Hispaniola" 2 Hon. Carlos Gutierrez, Secreatry of Commerce 3 Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez poses with DANR Board Members in the Indian Treaty Room at the White House 4 Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez with DANR Board Members 5 Victor Capellan at The White House

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DANR 5th Annual Legislative Day “Dominicans on the Hill”

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On April 19, 2007, DANR convened its Members of its National Board of Directors as well as community leaders, and general members to attend the 5th Annual Legislative Day –“Dominicans on the Hill” sponsored by Altria. Dominicans on the Hill has become one of DANR’s hallmark activities whereby DANR members can come to Washington, D.C. to meet with many key members of Congress and address important legislative issues that are taking center stage in our Nation’s capital.

These issues include immigration reform, K–12 and Higher Education, Small Business and Entrepreneurial programs, health care and the upcoming 2010 Census.

The day’s event began with a Legislative Breakfast hosted in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. DANR welcomed the participation of Senator Robert Menendez (NJ), Rep. Charles Rangel (NY), Rep. Carolyn Malloney (NY), Rep. Donna Christensen (US Virgin Island) and Rep. Hilda Solis (CA).

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After the breakfast sessions, members of the Board of Director’s held one–on–one office meetings with key members of Congress and their staff, including: Rep. Christopher Murphy (CT), Rep. Charles Dent (PA); Rep. James McGovern (MA); Rep. Robert Andrews (NJ); Rep. Eliot Engel (NY); Rep. Mario Diaz–Ballart (FL); Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY); Rep. Lincoln Diaz–Ballart (FL); Rep. Luis Fortuno (PR); Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI); Albio Sires (NJ); Rep. James Langevin (RI); Rep. Steve Rothman (NJ); and Senators Whitehouse (RI); Senator Jack Reed (RI), and Senator Bill Nelson’s staff.

1 One of the halls at the US Capitol Building. 2 Congressman Charles Rangel.

3 Rep. Carolyn Maloney. 4 Rep. Eliot Engel. 5 Rep. Hilda Solis.

6 Senator Robert Menendez. 7 Delegate Donna Christensen.

8 Victor Capellan, President DANR. 9 DANR Board Members at Capitol Hill 9

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Legislative Priorities The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization which seeks to unite the different voices of all people of Dominican origin in the United States. DANR provides a national forum for analysis, planning, and action to advance the educational, economic, legal, social, cultural, and political interests of Dominican-Americans. DANR is the only national organization serving the growing DominicanAmerican Community throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island. It aims to ensure that all Dominican-Americans enjoy the full exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

IMMIGRATION The Dominican American National Roundtable strongly urges Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that recognizes our Nation's proud history as a country of immigrants, but also enhances our national and community security.

Dominican Americans form a loyal community that has benefited tremendously from the U.S. immigration system, but also recognizes the need to improve our systems to address long-standing shortcomings. The Dominican community values the role of family in our society, and in support of this value urges Congress and the President to pass laws and regulations that will increase legal immigration, especially based on the principle of family reunification. We strongly support initiatives that will eliminate the visa and processing backlogs for families seeking reunification through legal means, provide an earned legalization program to address the undocumented immigrants who have become a critical part to our economy, and create legal means for the flow of workers in both high- and low-skilled jobs to fill jobs Americans do not fill.

Congressman Charles Rangel

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The DANR is also aware and understands that as part of comprehensive immigration reform we must enhance enforcement of our immigration laws, to address the criminal smuggling organizations that prey on our communities and create vulnerabilities in our homeland security.

DANR also recognizes the importance of Dominicans to become a permanent part of the United States by acquiring U.S. Citizenship. Although the decision to become a U.S. citizen is a personal decision, DANR strongly encourages all Dominicans who have achieved lawful permanent resident status to acquire U.S. Citizenship and support our country's values. We ask that Congress provides sufficient appropriations to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure that all who qualify for and seek the honor of becoming a U.S. citizen can do so in an efficient and economically affordable manner.

Finally, DANR urges Congress to review our current law’s basis for removing (or deporting) individuals based on the commission of non-violent misdemeanors, and consider reinstating judicial discretion to provide a one-time waiver from removal for individuals who have established otherwise strong ties to their community and family members

here. Presently, some interpretations of the current immigration laws classify a single non-violent misdemeanor as a basis for deporting individuals from the United States, no matter how long he or she has been a lawful permanent resident and regardless of the time lived in the United States. Children of U.S. citizens who have lived their entire life in the U.S. and do not recognize the culture or language of their parent's home country face the reality of being deportated with no option of relief from removal. DANR asks the US Department of Justice and Homeland Security to work to modify the punitive interpretation of the immigration law that can lead to one's removal from the United States.

2010 Census: After the 2000 Census report was published, the Dominican American National Roundtable made several requests to the U.S. Bureau of the Census asking it to revisit the data upon which it based the number of Dominicans living the United States.

According to the Census, less than a million Dominican lived in the U.S. at the time.

However, academics and other organiza-

Hon. Bob Menendez

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tions estimated that Dominicans accounted for 1.2 to 1.5 millions. Among the many explanations for this undercounting and misreporting is the fact that the Census form does not include a stand alone box for Dominicans among the Hispanic groups.

Instead, Dominicans must respond by checking the “others” box of Hispanic/Latino groups. This is a significant contrast to stand alone boxes used specifically for Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban.

According to a Census report on Hispanic Populations issued in May 2001, www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-3.pdf, when asked to identify a person’s Hispanic origin, the box related to “others” was designated as a “catch-all” box on the form where all other Hispanic/Latino groups were to be consolidated as a single number.

Therefore, not only did the “others” box include Dominicans, but it also included all of Central and South Americans, as well as Spaniards. It is believed that in 2000, approximately 10 million Hispanics would have filed under “others,” a number equivalent to at least 28% of the total 35.6 million Hispanics as identified by the 2000 US Census. However, the 2000 US Census only identified 39 % of these “other” Hispanics.

Based on U.S. Census data, DANR strongly believes that the 2000 Census made a gross numerical misreporting and undercounting as to the number of Dominicans living in the U.S. As we prepare for the 2010 Census, the DANR is committed to ensure that such mistakes do not re-occur, and that Dominicans are afforded a separate stand alone box along side Mexican, Cubans and Puerto Rican.

The consequences of such misreporting and underreporting result in serious policy impacts for Dominican-American communities throughout the United States. If the process by which Dominicans are counted and reported through the U.S. Census, then Dominican Americans and Dominicans living in the Unites States will continue to be harmed in the following ways:

1) Public Invisibility U.S. Media, grant makers, interest groups, political parties and other organizations at the local, state and federal levels will continue to ignore the presence and contributions of U.S. Dominicans.

2) Advocacy Problems Without an accurate counting of Dominicans our community-based organizations, nor government institutions, will not be able to extend their efforts to increase government and community service, as well as civic participation. Furthermore they will not be able to tap into public and private grants in order to service our growing communities.

3) Undermine the understanding of Dominican Americans Academics, business, government, and policy-makers need accurate numbers to assist in their knowledge, service and design of public policy initiatives and programs designed at servicing Dominican- American communities. In particularly, the process of

Hon. Donna Christensen

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re-districting congressional maps will be impacted by such flawed census information. Overall, this leaves governmental institutions limited to using only the annual Current Population Survey for their studies and evaluation of policy initiatives until the next census in 2020.

4) Distrust in the US Census Bureau It will be difficult for Dominican advocates to encourage greater community participation in future Census programs if there is no assurance as to the credibility and accuracy of the data.

The DANR urges the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, as well as the Senate’s Commerce Committee to inquire and investigate the Census continued undercounting and underreporting of Dominican American communities around the country as we prepare for the upcoming 2010 census.

EDUCATION The Dominican community places a high value on the education of its children, and as such it is a top priority of the Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR).

Throughout the years, Dominican Americans have made many advances in the area of education attainment. However, despite these accomplishments, the educational attainment gap between Dominicans and other groups continues to persist and grow.

Hon. Eliot Engel, Cid Wilson and H. E. Flavio D. Espinal

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Among our major concerns is the increasing dropout rate, not only among Dominicans, but also among all Latino communities. This is, as DANR recognizes, one of the greatest challenges of Dominican Americans. In order to counter this growing trend, DANR proposes increased funding for local intervention measures aimed at the elementary and secondary level since the highest percentage of dropouts comes before the 10th grade. DANR firmly believes that increase funding for community based organizations in order to help support Dominican families as they work to prevent truancy and school drop-out is a critical investment in our community’s future.

DANR is working to promote greater access to Higher Education. According to Hispanics in College (Fry, 2003), only 16% of Hispanics who graduated from high school go on to complete a bachelor degree.

DANR supports legislation and programs aimed at reversing the drop out rate, narrowing the achievement gap and promoting higher education in our community.

DANR urges passage of the DREAM ACT, which would provide undocumented immigrant students raised in the U.S., and who have graduated from U.S. high schools, to attend college and place them on a path to success and citizenship in America.

Furthermore, DANR calls for increased capacity-building support for HispanicServing Institutions (HSIs); and urges attention to Hispanic student needs in the Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.

SMALL BUSINESS The Dominican-American community has become a hallmark of Latino entrepreneur-

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ship. Currently Dominican-Americans small business owners are paving the way to urban revitalization and renewal. However, access to capital, technical assistance and business education continue to be absent, and resources remain scarce when Dominican Americans are considering starting their own business venture.

between the two countries also strengthens opportunities for our respective communities living in the U.S. DANR seeks to enhance social and cultural understanding, as well as promoting democratic principles of governance, social equality and human rights.

The DANR in collaboration with the private sector such as Freddie Mac and other financial institutions has begun to promote and implement financial literacy programs designed for both individuals and small business entrepreneurs. We believe financial literacy is a critical tool to ensure against debt-driven communities and to promote family and business financial security and prosperity.

Along these goals, DANR, supports the implementation of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 (HOPE). DANR believes that with the return to office of President Preval, Haiti stands at a critical juncture to create sustained economic opportunity for its citizens. Job creation and investment opportunities are but two of the key cornerstones needed to secure such economic development as incorporated under HOPE.

Given the present housing reality, DANR continues to monitor homeownership opportunities, and to work against predatory lending practices, as well as to monitor foreclosure rates within the different Dominican-American communities around the country.

DANR urges Congress to ensure that Latino communities around the country are afforded financial opportunities and protection against predatory and high risk lending.

HOPE/DR-CAFTA The DANR seeks to serve as a vehicle towards improving Dominican-Haitian relations. As Dominican-American, the DANR is committed to advocate for legislation and policies designed to strengthen collaborative efforts between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, but also between Dominican-Americans and HaitianAmericans. DANR believed that promoting economic opportunities and development

Currently, Dominican Free Zones entrepreneurs and Haitian entrepreneurs have engaged in joint ventures which seek to leverage economic development opportunities for both countries under DR-CAFTA and HOPE. But despite its economic potential, entrepreneurs are facing implementation challenges under both trade agreements and legislation. The increased job loss in both countries is a direct threat to the future of the island, and thus baring a direct impact on both immigrant communities in the U.S. Among the most notable challenges for economic development under DR-CAFTA and HOPE concern “short supply list,� Mexico Accumulation, pocketing and twin plants.

DANR hopes to engage members of Congress in revisiting the DR-CAFTA and HOPE implementation process.

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DANR at the 7th New Jersey Conference on Dominican Affairs The concept of the Conference emerged in August 2000, in a historical gathering of forty Dominican leaders at the Paterson Museum. Following five months of meetings held throughout the state, where the educational, economic, legal, social and political status of the more than 200,000 Dominicans in New Jersey were discussed, it was decided on that summer afternoon that it was necessary to address the urgent reality of Dominicans residing in this state, in a "group conversation"/ "meeting of the minds" setting. A steering committee, led by Maria Teresa Feliciano, and including Manuel Segura, Juan Jimenez, Narciso Ortiz, Samuel Bautista, and Pedro Martinez, was appointed to organize the first New Jersey State Conference on Dominican Affairs.

1 Dora Maria Abreu at the 7th New Jersey Conference on Dominican Affairs.

2 Victor Capellan addresses the audience on Dominican Affairs.

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DANR Youth Planning Meeting DANR President Victor F. Capellan hosts a meeting at College in New York City for young people interested in launching the DANR Youth Initiative.

Board Members Cid Wilson, Julissa Ferreras, Nestor Montilla and Dora Maria Abreu were present as well as Jeanne Mullgrav the Commissioner of Youth and Community Development for the City of New York.

DANR Noel Tropical Storm Relief Efforts Tropical Storm Noel hit the Dominican Republic and Haiti causing major flooding and other damages. DANR announced the creation of the DANR Tropical Storm Noel Relief Fund that will help with the relief efforts taking place in the U.S. for the purpose of supporting the thousands of Dominicans who have been affected. The community was urged to help with the relief efforts by donating to the DANR Tropical Storm Noel Relief Fund on the Dominican American National Roundtable or by mail. A fund was set up to collect relief support to help the victims. Charitable contribution to the Dominican American National Roundtable's Tropical Storm Noel Relief Fund to help provide relief to the victims in the Dominican Republic of Tropical Storm Noel.

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National Youth Conference DANR supported the National Youth Conference as a co–sponsor and DANR President Victor F. Capellan served as keynote speaker.

1 Students from New York joined DANR Board Members at the Youth Planning Meeting 2 Relief Efforts in New York City 3 DANR Board Member Alejandra Castillo spent a morning visiting children from Haina

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DANR/DR–Cafta Breakfast

DANR Fraternization Breakfast in PR

Commerce Secretary applauded Dominican Republic CAFTA–DR Implementation. Secretary Gutierrez released a statement following President Bush's certification that the Dominican Republic has implemented the CAFTA–DR, opening the way for the agreement to go into force today. The Dominican Republic is the United States’ largest export market among the CAFTA–DR countries, with exports totaling $5.3 billion in 2006. The historic agreement will create greater access to the Dominican market for U.S. exporters, level the playing field for American workers and promote democracy in the region.

DANR President Victor F. Capellan, Former DANR President and 10th Anniversary Conference Chairman Cid Wilson and Board Member Alejandra Castillo, join Puerto Rico Board Member Pura Vazquez to host a breakfast for Dominican leaders in Puerto Rico.

DANR 2nd Annual Dominican Making Waves Cruise Providence, RI leaders held the Second Annual Dominican Making Waves” fundraising event.

DANR Board Members from New York and Rhode Island

DANR Board Member Pura Vazquez, DANR President Victor Capellan and RI State Senator Juan Pichardo during the breakfast in Puerto Rico

DANR meeting with H.E. Flavio Dario Espinal in Washington, DC and other representatives from Dominican Republic and United States

DANR Membership Drive A membership drive campaign was launched on June 1st, 2007. The goal was to have at least minimum 300 new members by August 2007.

DANR in DR HAINA / US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce As part of the overall USHCC “DR–CAFTA” trip to the Dominican Republic, members of the traveling delegation comprised of entrepreneurs and medical professionals visited the neighborhood of Haina in Santo Domingo.

The delegation delivered medical supplies to leaders of the Haina community which has seen the highest rate of children born with cerebral palsy due to underground water contamination.

DANR Youth Conference Brown University Students DANR supported the National Youth Conference as a co–sponsor and DANR President Victor F. Capellan served as keynote speaker.

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ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H

STRATEGIC NATIONAL PARTNERS

STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

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ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

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ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

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ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

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ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

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1 DANR President Victor Capellan, NCLR President Janet Murguia and DANR Vice President Luis Guzman at NCLR Captiol Awards. 2 Luis Guzman, Alejandra Castillo and Victor Capellan.

3 DANR Board Members with Mickey Ibarra and other guests

Capital Awards

peers. The first Latino Leaders Luncheon was held at the Boston Park Plaza on July 27, 2004 during the Democratic National Convention where then Representative Bob Menendez addressed an audience of over 500 Latino delegates and leaders. Additional speakers included former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros, former Small Business Administrator Aida Alvarez and then Los Angeles Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa.

Washington, DC (March, 2007)

The NCLR Capital Awards is the premier Hispanic event in Washington, DC, providing an opportunity for attendees to network with top policy- and decision-makers who work to improve the lives of Hispanic Americans.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Capital Awards is an annual gala event which brings together more than 800 elected and appointed officials, Hispanic leaders, community activists, executives from the Fortune 500 companies, philanthropic leaders, and scholars who come together in Washington, D.C. to honor members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for their outstanding support to legislation and public policies vital to Hispanic Americans.

The 2006 Series added the Latino Leaders Issue Hour, a dialogue on issues important to the Latino community. The Latino Leaders Luncheon Series featured speakers are presented with the Nambe Eagle Leadership Award as a symbol of vision, achievement and commitment to the Latino community.

DANR at NCLR Conference Miami, FL (Julio 19-24, 2007)

Latino Leader Network Lunch with Omar Minaya

NCLR’s Annual Conference is the largest gathering of its kind in the Hispanic community, serving as the meeting ground for over 20,000 community organization leaders, activists, and volunteers; elected and appointed officials; members of the corporate, philanthropic, and academic communities; senior citizens; college students; and youth. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) was thrilled to hold this year’s Annual Conference in Miami, Florida! With the most recent U.S. Census polls

Washington, DC (September 19, 2007)

Latino Leaders Luncheon Series The Latino Leaders Luncheon Series was launched by Mickey Ibarra & Associates in 2004 to provide a platform for prominent Latinos to network with each other and gain insight from their

1 Victor Capellan, Saily Cabral, Maryland Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and Dora Maria Abreu. 2 Omar Minaya with Mickey Ibarra. 3 DANR President Victor Capellan addresses the audience at the Latino Leader Network Luncheon.

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1 DANR Board Members Dora M. Abreu, Everin Perez, Jovanna Garcia and Aura Guzman. 2 DANR Board Members at NCLR Conference in Miami, Florida. 3 Luis Guzman, Dora M. Abreu and Oscar Herasme

reporting that more than 60% of Miami’s two million residents are Hispanic, Miami was the perfect venue for NCLR’s 2007 Annual Conference and Latino Expo USA.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce visit to DR Dominican Republic (March, 2007)

DANR was invited to join the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s delegation together with its President, David Lizarraga, and Executive Director, Michael Barrera, on its first visit to the Dominican Republic. DANR was represented by National Board Members, Alejandra Y. Castillo and Muriel Alfonseca. The visit’s achieved its primary goal to create commercial dialogue and partnerships under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).

Throughout the visit members of DANR and USHCC held several meetings with members of the Dominican Senate and Chamber of Deputies, the Dominican Secretary of Industry and Commerce, as well as with the Import-Export representatives and entrepreneurs. The visit culminated with an presidential dinner hosted by President Leonel Fernandez at the Dominican Palace where both USHCC and DANR shared their view, goals and long-term collaborative projects designed to best capitalize the growing trade potential and opportunities under DRCAFTA. 1 Cid Wilson with Congressman Charles Rangel.

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Congressional Black Caucus Gala Washington, DC (October 1, 2007)

With a focus on Leadership Education, Public Health, and Economic Development, CBCF is the premier organization that creates, identifies, analyzes and disseminates policy-oriented information critical to advancing African Americans and people of African descent towards equity in economics, health and education. Democratic presidential candidates – Senators Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York – and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) were among the thousands of attendees at the gala dinner held at the Washington Convention Center.

Alejandra Castillo and Muriel Alfonseca at the National Palace in Dominican Republic

2 Cid Wilson with Delegate Donna Christensen and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. 3 Cid Wilson with Rev. Al Sharpton.

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Hispanic Heritage Month at The White House

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Washington, DC (October 10, 2007)

President Bush attends the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at White House and recognized the rich cultural traditions of the Hispanic American community and the great contributions of Hispanic Americans to our country. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the White House celebrates the diversity that makes our country stronger — and the heritage and the spirit that Hispanic Americans bring to this great democracy. To help celebrate the heritage and spirit, an incredible talent: “Cachao” born in Havana performed under the direction of producer Emilio Estefan.

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1 President George W. Bush, Emilio Estefan and other guests celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month at The White House 2 Victor Capellan with Emilio Estefan 3 Alejandra Castillo, Emilio Estefan and Muriel Alfonseca 4 Invitation to the Hispanic Heritage Month event at The White House

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Coors Lideres Training Workshops New York October 12 & Washington, DC (October 30, 2007)

Coors Brewing Company rolled out the second phase of its Coors Líderes campaign with the Coors Lideres Training Workshop for Hispanic non-profits and partner organizations.

The unique leadership development program is being offered in five cities across the country. According to Rafael Fantauzzi, the Hispanic Corporate Relations Director for Coors Brewing Company, the Líderes Training Workshop Program is a fourhour training program based on a personalized assessment tool developed by The Gallup Organization. Based on years of research and behavioral studies, Gallup found that individuals who focus on their areas of greatest talent have the best opportunity of attaining personal and professional success. “This is an exceptional opportunity for Coors to provide capacity-building for our partnering Hispanic non-profits” Fantauzzi said.

Launched in June 2006, the Coors Líderes Program celebrates and supports leadership within the Hispanic community. The first phase of the campaign showcased national and local leaders in the Hispanic community through twelve print ads highlighting twenty Hispanic leaders during Hispanic Heritage month. This advertising campaign portrayed the diverse demographics represented in the U.S. Hispanic community and celebrated its leadership, biculturalism and bilingualism. In addition to the five workshops, the 2007 Coors Líderes Program rolled out a second print advertising campaign during Hispanic Heritage month. The national and local Hispanic leaders highlighted in the campaign were chosen in part by Hispanic nonprofits because these individuals embody the values of the organizations and because they represent the Hispanic community at large.

Puerto Rican Legal and Education Fund (PRLDEF) New York, NY (November, 2007)

DANR attended the 30th Anniversary Gala of the Puerto Rican Legal and Education Fund. This year, PRLDEF honored DANR founding member Ramona Romero, Esq. with its prestigious Lucero Award.

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1 Cid Wilson and Ramona Romero at PRLDEF Gala at the Grand Hyatt in NYC 2 Group Photo at PRLDEF Gala at Grand Hyatt in NYC

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3 Alejandra Castillo, Executive Director of CHCI Esther Aguilera and Muriel Alfonseca 3

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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

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ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

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O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

Johnny Ventura Juan Pablo Duarte Award - Lifetime Achievement Award

United States in 1979, where she has resided since. She started her professional education at the University Puerto Rico, completed a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology at the University of New Haven in Connecticut, and later obtained a Master in Social Work, from Hunter College School of Social Work. She is married and has two wonderful children. Presently Rosita is the Executive Director and cofounder of the Dominican Women’s Development Center, a sixteen year old organization that works with Dominican and other Latina Women in the Washington Heights/Inwood area, organizing them to deal with the problems affecting their daily lives.

Ms. Romero also organized several community events and coordinated many youth and family projects within the committee. She has considerable experience in the area of community organizing, advocacy and coalition building.

Presently she is the Co-Convener of the Washington Heights/ Inwood GENE Project Coalition; a member of the New York Presbyterian Community Health Advisory Council; a member of the Planning Council of the Columbia Center for the Health of Urban Minorities (CHUM); a member of the Start Right Immunization Coalition in collaboration with the Mailman School of Public Health from Columbia University; a member of the Healthy Schools/Healthy Families Coalition in collaboration with New York Presbyterian Hospital; and the Sisterlink Project on Prevention of Perinatal HIV of the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership.

Johnny Ventura (born Juan de Dios Ventura Soriano, March 8, 1940, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a widely renown Dominican merengue composer and singer, the first to achieve widespread fame outside of the Dominican Republic.

He is known throughout the world as the legendary Merenguero, "El Caballo".

Mr. Ventura and his orchestra, the "Combo Show", added rock and roll elements to the genre in the early 1960s, influenced by the early stars of American rock (including Elvis Presley). His hits include “Patacón pisao”, “Pitaste”, “El elevador”, “La agarradera”, “Capullo y Sorrullo”, “Filete” and “El tabaco.”

He has recorded over 100 albums, and he continued to record into the 1990s.

Rosita M. Romero Hermanas Mirabal Award for Leadership - Woman

Rosita M. Romero was born in the Dominican Republic to a working class family. Her parents migrated to Puerto Rico in 1973. After living in Puerto Rico for six years, she moved to the

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She is recognized as a strong leader committed to social justice and is well respected in her community. In the process of becoming a leader she has motivated, helped, and inspired others to do the same. She has received a Latino Achievement Award from the Office of Latinos Affairs at New York University; the Susan B. Anthony award from the National Organization of Women; the Mother Theresa of Calcutta Award from Dominican Sunday, Inc.; the Women of Power Award from Casa Atabex Ache; the Community Service Award from Congressman Charles B. Rangel; for her contribution to the Empowerment of Dominican Women; a Community Service Award from the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund; a Women’s Leadership Award

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from Alianza Dominicana; an Outstanding Woman of the Year Award from El Diario La Prensa; a Thank You Award from the Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union; a Certificate of Recognition from Entre Nosotras, Inc.; a Women of the New Millenium Award from Hostos Community College for her Outstanding Leadership.

Francesca Pe単a Ambar Award for Excellence

Francesca Pe単a was born in the Dominican Republic. She migrated to the United States at the age of 15. She began her pedagogical career in 1992 as a Mathematics teacher. In 1999, Francesca was a valued member of the team responsible to re-design and restructure the George Washington High School Campus. In 2001, she was appointed Principal for the High School of International Business and Finance. Under her leadership, this school received two big recognitions: In 2002, the Chancellor recognized the school as one of the top 200 best performing schools in the city, therefore, exempting the school from implementing the mandated curriculum.

The State Commissioner of Education recognized the school for being one of the 574 out of a total of 2,041 statewide schools that accomplished the dual goal of increasing student achievement while closing the gap in student performance for the school year 2003-2004. In 2004 she was promoted to Local Instructional Superintendent for Region 10 in Manhattan.

In 2005 Francesca was appointed Community Superintendent for School District 6 in Manhattan. Last year, five of her ten schools were recognized by the State Education Department as high performing/gap closing schools. Francesca is currently serving as High School Superintendent for the New York City Department of Education overseeing 58 High Schools throughout the City.

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Amaris D. Guzman Leadership Program DANR Rising Star Award

Amaris D. Guzman is a native born Dominican American born and raised in Paterson, NJ. She is recent graduate of St. John's University in Queens, NY and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

During her years at St. John's, Amaris became president and founder of the Latino American Student Organization and was nominated student leader of the year for Latin Heritage Month in October of 2006.

As a student leader, she also attended over a dozen Student Leadership Conferences around the nation including Florida, Texas, Washington D.C., and the Tri-State area. Her community activism has allowed her to travel to different parts of the world including Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

In the summer of 2005, Amaris participated in the DANR's Dominican Leadership Institute which taught the dynamics of Politics and Democracy. This program allowed her to actively partake in leadership roles within the organization. She is currently a Co-Chair of the DANR Youth Initiative begun in the Fall of 2007 to help address some of the issues of Dominican American Students and their communities. Amaris currently resides in Queens, NY where she will attend CUNY-Baruch College for her Masters in Higher Education Administration beginning in the spring of 2008.

Hugo M. Morales Sanchez & Mella Award for Community Service Award

Hugo M. Morales, M.D., DPN-P, F.A.P.A., originally appointed

by Governor Pataki in June 2002 as a trustee of the Board of The City University of New York, Dr. Morales was reappointed

by Governor Spitzer in October 2007.

Dr. Morales was the Medical Director of the Bronx Mental Health Center, which he established and organized in 1965 in order to provide innovative, comprehensive ambulatory mental health care services to low-income minority patients of the Bronx and other boroughs from 1965 to 1999.

Previously, Dr. Morales was Junior Psychiatrist at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens (1961-62), Senior Psychiatrist at Manhattan State Hospital in Wards Island (1963-65), and Director of the

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integrated services that attend to children, youth and families' multiple needs. Since its founding 13 years ago, Alianza has emerged as the most comprehensive Dominican human service and community development agency in the US. It is the leading authority on Dominican-Americans, the fastest growing Latino population in New York State. Dominicans are the second largest Latino community in New York State and the fourth largest in the country.

Department of Psychiatry at St. Francis Hospital in the Bronx (1966). Dr. Morales is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, as well as the American College of Forensic Examiners. Dr. Morales received his Medical Degree from the University of Santo Domingo.

Dr. Morales was Chairman of the Dominican Board of the Governor's Office for Hispanic Affairs, from 1984 to 1992, and serves as member on the Hispanic Federation Committee, the New York State Department of Health Medical Advisory Committee, the Governor's Task Force on Rape and Sexual Assault, and the Hostos Community College Advisory Board.

Dr. Morales was a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel of the New York City Board of Education in 1987, and the President of the Bronx County Medical Society in 1985, President of A.P.A. (Bronx Psychiatric) Society, Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Society, Founder and Chairman of the DominicanAmerican Foundation, and recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1996. Dr. Morales is Vice Chair of the Board's Standing Committee on Academic Policy, Program, and Research.

Alianza Dominicana Trinitaria Award to the Community of the Year

Alianza Dominicana, Inc. is a non-profit community development organization that partners with youth, families and public and private institutions to revitalize economically distressed neighborhoods. Alianza's mission is to assist children, youth and families to break the cycle of poverty and fulfill their potential as members of the global community.

Founded in 1987, Alianza Dominicana, Inc. develops model neighborhood-based initiatives using comprehensive and

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Offering services in 11 sites, Alianza annually services more than 17,000 individuals from Manhattan and the four other boroughs. With a budget of $10 million and the most talented and committed staff ever to work for one organization, Alianza Dominicana is the largest and most relied upon communitybased youth and family service agency in the area.

Rhadames Peguero Caonabo Award for Leadership - Male

Executive Director of The Dominican American National Foundation, and Founder of the DANR Rhadames Peguero was born on May 06, 1946 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He performed a leading role in founding the Dominican American National Foundation in 1989, and the Dominican American National Roundtable in 1997, in Miami Florida.

Peguero is known for successfully establishing the first Dominican American 501Š (3) non-profit organization in Miami Florida.

In 1972 Mr. Peguero was elected president of Club 30 de Marzo in New York City. In 1979, after residing in Santo Domingo for two years, he moved to Miami Florida and joined Dominicana de Aviacion, as sales supervisor.

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In 1988 his attitude changed in the wake of the detention of several Dominican “yoleros”; his desire to “change the world” emerged, and with the support of friends and relatives, they established The Dominican American National Foundation.

The naming of Juan Pablo Duarte Park in the neighborhood of Allapattah was an initiative of Mr. Peguero with the full support of DANF’s board of directors.

Mr. Peguero is currently a board member of the Miami Dade County Youth Crime Task Force, he has served as a board member in the Miami Dade County Hispanic Affairs, Allapattah YMCA, City of Miami Community Development, and many others non-profit institutions.

In 2001 he was selected as “Nuestro Orgullo Hispano” by Channel 23 in Miami, and in 2004 by Miami Jackson Senior High School as “Principal for a Day”.

Hon. Charles B. Rangel (Charlie) Special Recognition

Congressman Charles B. Rangel is serving his 19th term as the Representative from the 15th Congressional District, comprising East and Central Harlem, the Upper West Side, and Washington Heights/Inwood. He is the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Chairman of the Board of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Dean of the New York State Congressional Delegation.

Congressman Rangel served in the U.S. Army from 1948-52, during which time he fought in Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Congressman Rangel has authored several pieces of legislation to benefit minority and women veterans, including a successful bill that established the Office of Minority Affairs Within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Congressman Rangel is a graduate of New York University and St. John's University School of Law. He has spent his entire career in public service, first as an Assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and later in the New York State Assembly. He was elected to the 92nd Congress on November 3, 1970, and has been reelected to each succeeding Congress.

Congressman Rangel lives in Harlem with his wife Alma, who is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses and participates in many civic and community organizations.

Congressman and Mrs. Rangel have two children.

Congressman Rangel is a founding member and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; he was also chairman of the New York State Council of Black Elected Democrats and was a member of the House Judiciary Committee during the hearings on the articles of impeachment of President Richard Nixon.

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Women’s Month Washington, DC (March, 2007)

DANR saluted women on National Women’s History Month, which is observed every March. DANR encouraged everyone to celebrate the achievements and rich history of the women’s movement, especially the many Dominican women who have helped to shape the landscape of American life by overcoming obstacles and breaking glass ceilings to empower our community.

In recognition of National Women’s History Month, the DANR highlighted a few examples of women who are making a difference in their respective communities.

While this is not a ranking and certainly not a complete list, it is a sample of the many outstanding women we have in our community.

Maritza Del Toro (NY) Berenice Gomez (NY) Joseline Peña-Melnyk (MD) Christina Díaz-Malone (VA) Celeste Santana (NJ) Nancy Silverio (NY) Helen Voutsinas (NY) Nurys De Oleo (NY) Elsa Mantilla (NJ) Ana Rosa Varges (NJ) Ana Duarte (NY)

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SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

ROSPERITY • STRONG LEADERSHIP ... STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DO

MINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE • 10TH ANNIVERSARY NA

O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O P R O S P E R I T Y • S T R O N G L E A D E R S H STRONGER COMMUNITIES! • DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL ROUN TA B L E • 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E • T H E PAT H T O

Salutes The Dominican American National Roundtable on its 10th Anniversary National Conference PATH TO PROSPERITY Strong Leadership ...

Stronger communities!

A better today. A better tomorrow.

Freddie Mac is dedicated to strengthening communities by expanding housing and rental opportunities throughout the U.S. We’re committed to helping people get a home they can afford and keep.

Together, we’re working to create a better today and a better tomorrow. www.FreddieMac.com

Salutes The Dominican American National Roundtable on its 10th Anniversary National Conference PATH TO PROSPERITY Strong Leadership ...

Stronger communities!

We proudly support the Dominican American National Roundtable 10th Annual National Conference PATH TO PROSPERITY Strong Leadership ... Stronger communities!

SAVE THE DATE 11th National Conference The Providence Westin Hotel Providence, Rhode Island October 10-12, 2008 12th National Conference Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida December 2-6, 2009