Issuu

DANR 2006 Memoirs l November 2005 l September 2006

CONTENT Page 3 4 4 5 6 8 9

DANR Who are we? Mission Executive Board History Former Presidents Guiding principles

11 12 12 12 13 14

II.

DANR in Action Initiatives Building Community Support DANR Collaboration Day Business Legislative Day Legislative Affairs

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Outreach/Network: Dominican Parades National Council of La Raza Capital Awards National Council of La Raza Annual Conference National Council of La Raza Alma Awards Cuban American National Council, Inc. National Puerto Rican Coalition National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials American Jewish Committee

19 20 20 21 21 22

III. Special Events Symposium: African Beat, Caribbean Echoes: Blackness in the Formation of Dominican Identity Dominican Making Waves Dominican Independence Day Reception at the White House White House Bill signing ceremony Hispanic Heritage Month

IV. Strategic National Partners

25 26 26

VI. Sponsors and Supporters

Recognitions DANR Awards National Womenâ€™s History Month

President: Cid Wilson Directed and Edited by: Muriel Alfonseca ProductionTeam: Rajzea Gabriela Brito l Alejandra Castillo l Meisu Marcano Pictures Editor: Meisu Marcano Photograpers: Jovanna Garcia l Luiz Guzman l Meisu Marcano l Nestor Montilla l Everin Perez l Cid Wilson Design & Printing by Graphikmar, Corp. 305.887.3473

A MESSAGE FROM DANR PRESIDENT

The year 2006 will be remembered as a cross-road year for Dominicans, Latinos and other immigrant groups. When Congress passed H.R. 4437 in December 2005 (also known as “The Sensenbrenner Bill”), it was one of the greatest assaults on our community in history. It also exposed the need for our communities to come together and work collaboratively on common issues that affect the future and welfare of us all. We witnessed great examples of these kind of collaborative efforts as millions of people descended upon Washington, D.C. and dozen of other cities across the country on April 10, 2006, and again on May 1, 2006, to march and rally against the lack of a fair and just immigration reform. However, the goal of having comprehensive immigration reform has not yet been realized. This clearly reiterates the importance of our communities to continue to work together towards common goals like never before! It is based on this call to action the reason why the Dominican American National Roundtable’s 9th Annual National Conference themes is Coalitions & Collaboration: Achieving Unified Solutions To Common Challenges. We believe that now, more than ever, our community needs to build and strengthen its collaboration with other communities with whom we share a common agenda. We are proud of our relationships with various strategic national partners, as well as the many Dominican organizations around the country who are embracing this call to action and are energized to take on the challenges ahead. This year we engaged the United States Congress and the White House like never before, and our policies and initiatives have been made clear to the powersthat-be in Washington, DC that our community must be heard. DANR believes that we must go to the community no matter where they are, instead of waiting for the community to come to us. Since becoming the President of the DANR in October 2003, I am proud of our outreach around the United States. During my tenure, I have traveled over 100,000 miles and visited over 35 states and Puerto Rico. At each one of these visits, Dominicans as far away as Alaska are becoming ever more empowered to become active members of our Nation’s civic life, and in turn are defining a more cohesive Dominican community when dealing with issues of national importance. I know that Dominicans have very diverse opinions and views, a natural phenomenon for a community that is growing as quickly as ours. However it is our diversity which continued to be our greatest strength. As we come together at this conference, we reflect on our nine years of accomplishments, and we come together to forge a common road map that will guide our efforts for the years ahead. Undoubtedly, we will continue to face many challenges, but we shall also discover new and innovative solutions aimed at improving the life and welfare of all Dominican Americans. Please join me in thanking our national board of directors, our staff, and our growing numbers of supporters that have helped make the DANR a true national organization. We are committed, now more than ever, to ensure that our advocacy efforts reach the over one million Dominicans living in the United States and its territories. I am confident that you will have a rewarding and fulfilling experience in Atlantic City, New Jersey for the DANR 9th Annual National Conference. Thank you for your continued support to the Dominican American National Roundtable. Warm regards,

Cid Wilson President, Dominican American National Roundtable October 6th, 2006 DANR l 2006 Memoirs

INITIATIVES WELCOME

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Dominican American National Roundtable

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.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Executive Board

Cid Wilson

Josefina Infante

(NJ) President

(NJ) First Vice President

Commissioner of the Bergen County, NJ Improvement Authority, Founding Board member of Dominicans on Wall Street (DOWS), member of the New Jersey State Ethnic Advisory Council, and Director of Equity Research for Monarch Research LLC.

Executive Director and founder of the non-forprofit Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation (HPEDC) — the largest Industrial park in New York City.

Dora María Abreu Maria Luna

Rafael Morel

(NY) Vice President of Membership

(NY) Second Vice President

District 71AD Leader for Northern Manhattan and long time national activist.

(FL) Treasurer

Youth activist for the Dominican community in New York City. Member of various boards dealing with information technology and technology analyst at Goldman Sachs & Co.

Certified Public Accountant and Chairman of the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce of Florida.

Muriel Alfonseca

Everin Pérez

Pura Vázquez

(MD) Assistant Treasurer

(RI) Secretary

(PR) Assistant of Secretary

Member of various boards involved with the Hispanic community and its Culture in USA. Social Development Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank.

Associate Director for Adoption & Foster Care for the Urban League of Rhode Island. Board member for the Rhode Island Coalition of Immigrants and Refugees.

Attorney at Law and community activist on Dominican affairs in Puerto Rico.

Julissa Ferreras

César Vizcaíno

(NY) Co-Chair of DANR 9th Annual National Conference

(NJ) Co-Chair of DANR 9th Annual National Conference

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

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 Acton 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 Dec. 1997 conference a meeting was organized that brought together at Alianza Dominicana, Inc. in NYC a broad spectrum of Dominican community leaders. 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, For example, 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 addi-

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

tion 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.

2000 In February 2000 the Roundtable was incorporated in Washington, D.C. With the theme, “Dominicans in the United States: Americas’ New Face,” the 3rd Annual Conference was celebrated in NYC on Oct. 6-8, 2000 with great success. and the DANR Board elected its second president, Hon. Adriano Espaillat, from New York. In 2000 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, increasing the numbers of members entering the organization, and obtaining the Federal Exempt Status. 2001 The Roundtable opened its headquarters in Washington DC and appointed Jose R. Bello as its Executive Director on Oct. 1st 2000.With the theme “Empowerment through Education: The Way for Dominican Americans” the 4th Annual Conference took place on Dec. 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 27member Board of Directors with an Executive Board made up of eight members, of whom seven 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, the Dominican American Business Legislative Meeting, where Dominican business leaders met with US legislators to discuss policy issues affecting our community, and our 5 th Annual Conference entitled, “Our Local Empowerment Builds Our National Power.” During the Conference,

Ms. Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo was elected fourth president of the DANR. In addition, DANR published a 2002 Dominican American Calendar, to promote Dominican American artists, as well as, 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.

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 (RNC). 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 lobbying the United States Congress and the US Trade Representative to include the Dominican Republic in any Central American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The DANR invites members of the Dominican and Puerto Rican community to hear opinions and comments from Congressman Charlie Rangel, Bronx Boro President Adolfo

History Carrion, and representative 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 nations youth with the tools to achieve the goals set out by our Dominican youth. During the tragic days following the deaths in Jimani, Dominican Republic, the DANR collaborates 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. 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 gives 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 7th 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 graduation commencement speaker at multiple venues through 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 gave opening 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 proDominican 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-Boston 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 third 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 one-on-one meetings with Congressional members and their staff, including Congressman John Tierney (DNJ), 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 policy debate on issues such as Immigration, Dream Act, Voting Rights, 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 Martes.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Former Presidents

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Víctor Capellán

Hon. Adriano Espaillat

(1999-2000)

(2000-2001)

Ana García-Reyes

Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo

(2001-2002)

(2002-2003)

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 the legalization of all Dominicans living in the United State territory. Promotion of US Citizenship 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 the US Citizenship. • DANR asks government and private foundations to give support to Citizenship program that DANR is establishing. Asylum in the United States DANR believes that all immigrants requesting asylum in the United States have to have equal treatment under the US laws and INS regulations. • 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 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. • 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.

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.

EDUCATION Drop-out/ School Retention Dominican communities suffer one of the highest rates of dropouts among all major Latino communities. This is, as DANR recognizes, one of the greatest challenges of Dominican Americans. • DANR requests assistance, funding and attention to programs working towards the school retention among our students. • 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. Access to Higher Education • DANR supports legislation and programs that foster recruitment, retention and graduation of Dominican students from college. We also encourage our students to seek graduate programs. • DANR will praise any legislation that enhances educational opportunities for Latinos and easy access to scholarship, grants, educational loans, etc. English as a Second Language 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 Puerto Rico and in the United States. • We ask for an increment in government funds to support ESL programs in our communities. Dual Language 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. Professional Accreditation Many Dominican professionals that recently migrated to US are facing problems of working in their professional fields. • DANR supports legislation and regulations that facilitate the accreditation in the US of foreign professionals. • We ask for programs that help to transfer foreign professional skills into the US job market. School choice 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 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 Political Endorsements DANR does not endorse any political candidates, nor do we advise our membership 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 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 commu-

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Guiding Principles nity. DANR recognizes the importance of our 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 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 and needs and interests of Dominican American workers. Remittances Dominican Americans send annually the largest foreign aid coming from the United States 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 institution and governmental regulators work together on a reduction of transferring costs of these remittances. • Private financial institution, 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 crucial to promote organizations that provide direct services to our communities. • Government officials, corporation and private foundations need to support

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Dominican organizations, and US elected officials may provide startup money from discretionary funds available.

HOUSING Housing Ownership At the core of the American dream is home ownership. DANR encourages Dominicans in the United States to buy a residence. • 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. Affordable Housing Rent 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 will promote electoral district that ease the participation and political advance of Latinos, and especially Dominicans in the United States. Regulation of political financial contribution to foreign political parties 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 Dominican Republic political organization 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. • DANR encourages the promotion of Dominican appointees.

HEALTH AND AGING Health Insurance Programs Latinos and Dominicans represent the largest sector of the uninsured in the nation. • DANR supports programs and initiatives to increase access and enrollment regardless of immigration status, in health insurance programs. • 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.

RACE, ETHNICITY GENDER AND SEXUALITY Race and Ethnicity 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 coalition with other subsections of the Latino community with which Dominicans share needs and concerns. Gender 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 Sexuality As an institution that is committed to diversity and the recognition of difference DANR acknowledges, values, and respects people’s different sexual orientations, include gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, and transsexual members of the Dominican Community. • 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.

DANR in Action

INITIATIVES Building Community Support During the Aftermath of Hurricane Wilma which hit South Florida leaving a track of devastation throughout its path, the DANR asked its members and supporters to come “together as a unified national community” and help with the rebuilding efforts in South Florida. In collaboration with DANR’s founding organization, the Dominican American National Foundation of Florida (DANF), together we provided funds and contributions needed to help with the rebuilding efforts throughout the South Florida community. The DANF is the largest Dominican constituency-based organization in the State of Florida. Throughout the month of November, DANR committed all its online contributions to the rebuilding efforts in South Florida. Contributions were donated to the DANF to help it rebuild its facilities in Miami and to help maintain constituency services for those that depend on the Foundation for support from Hurricane Wilma. New England Affected By Flooding. The DANR expressed concern for the people of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine that were negatively impacted by the May flooding resulting from five days of unusually high rainfall. The flooding caused thousands of people to evac7uate from their homes in New England. The DANR was particularly concerned for the flooding in the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts given that an estimated 35% of the city’s total population is Dominican, making it the city with the highest population proportion of Dominicans in the United States The DANR communicated with the offices of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and elected officials in the region for

updates on relief efforts. DANR called on officials in Massachusetts, officials in New Hampshire, members of Congress, and the Bush Administration to provide expedited relief for the thousands of residents negatively impacted.

DANR Collaboration Day

On January 19, 2006, DANR President Cid Wilson organized a historic round of meetings in Washington, DC with the major Latino organization in an effort to build our collaborative alliance and strengthen our presence as a national organization. These important round of meetings included most prominent Latinos organizations such as U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Council of La Raza, (NCLR), ASPIRA, and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), among others.

Cid Wilson (DANR) with Ron Blackburn-Moreno (ASPIRA) at ASPIRA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Cid Wilson, Brent Wilkes, Muriel Alfonseca, Luis Guzman and Gabriela Lemus at DANR-LULAC Meeting in Washington, DC.

Luis Guzman, Cid Wilson, Muriel Alfonseca and Michael Barreras at DANR-USHCC Meeting in Washington, DC.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

INITIATIVES Business Legislative Day -

An Empowering Success

Board of the DANR at US Congress in Washington, DC.

The fourth Annual DANR Legislative Day yet again proved to be an empowering success. On Thursday, April 27, the DANR hosted its 4th Annual Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., which included a breakfast with members of U.S. House and Senate, and meetings around Capitol Hill with several Congressional members and their staff. The following members of Congress participated in the DANR 4th Annual Legislative Day: Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York)B Congressman Charles Rangel (D-New York) Congressman Steve Rothman (D-New Jersey) Congressman William Pascrell (D-New Jersey) Congressman Robert Andrews (D-New Jersey) Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) Congressman John Tierney (D-Massachusetts) Congressman James McGovern (D-Massachusetts) Congressman James Langevin (D-Rhode Island)

The DANR also held one-on-one meetings throughout the day with the members of Congress and their staff at their respective offices including: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) Congressman Donald Payne (D-New Jersey) Congressman Jose Serrano (D-New York) Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (D-New York) Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-New York) Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida) Congresswoman Donna Christian-Christensen (D-Virgin Islands)

The DANR Legislative Day provides an excellent opportunity for DANR board members and members to hold face-toface dialogs with several members of Congress and their staff on the major issues of concern to our community. During this event DANR was able to send a strong message and a call to action to Congress to pay attention to the many legislative and policy issues important to the Dominican and Latino communities. Today, there are Dominicans living in virtually every Congressional district in America. As the Dominican community in the United States continues to grow, so has our national voice. At the 4th Legislative Day the DANR’s primary goal was to draw congressional attention to the passing of a comprehensive immigration reform and other important legislative issues such as education, economic empowerment, and the upcoming 2010 Census. The DANR leadership is committed to maintain direct follow-up with member of Congress who made specific commitments to certain legislations and initiatives. Overall the Legislative Day provided tangible success. In particular, Congressman Charlie Rangel gave DANR great feedback, and mentioned that he received positive comments about the DANR’s work from other members of Congress. This kind of feedback is a true testament as to DANR’s growing national presence and impact. Similarly, Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), who was unable to participate, also expressed to us that he too had received very positive comments about the success of our visit within hours of our breakfast. In addition, Senator Robert Menendez stated to DANR President’s, Cid Wilson, that the 4th Legislative Day was by far the best attended DANR legislative breakfast he has attended thus far, and attributed its congressional turnout success in large part to the broad national attention DANR is receiving from Congress. DANR l 2006 Memoirs

INITIATIVES Business Legislative Affairs

Board of the DANR with Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman William Pascrell at US Congress in Washington.

DANR Urged All Eligible Citizens to Vote on Election Day All eligible citizens were urged to vote on Election Day. Election Day is the foundation of the American democracy and the opportunity to choose our representatives. The Dominican vote has emerged as a strong voice in the United States. As a community, we have the capacity and the potential to influence public policy at all levels of government. The best way to empower ourselves is by exercising our right to vote to assure political participation in the U.S. DANR strongly believe in the importance of civic participation and political empowerment in the United States.

Student Adjustment Act, with language that is nearly identical to the DREAM Act as introduced in the United States Senate. DANR called on more members of Congress to co-sponsor this bill and for the full House of Representatives to pass the American Dream Act. This bill intended to make higher education, and provide a path to citizenship, as a reality for undocumented youths in America. This legislation will help open the doors towards higher to undocumented students and give them an opportunity to succeed in America. Many of these students have been in the U.S. educational system for years and DANR believe that they should have the same opportunities to higher education as other U.S. students.

April 10th

May 11th

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice. As part of its work towards a just and fair immigration reform, DANR encouraged its members to participation in the historic National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice that took place in Washington, D.C. and other cities across the country on Monday, April 10, 2006. DANR rallied to oppose HR 4437, and request a more comprehensive and fair immigration reform. Members and supporters were encouraged to participate in the historic event with rallies taking place around America. Among the cities holding rallies: New York City (City Hall), Philadelphia, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Jersey City, Los Angeles, Newark, Boston, Detroit, Washington DC, Chicago, and many more cities. April 14th

The American Dream Act The DANR praised the introduction of H.R. 5531, the â€œAmerican Dream Actâ€? in the U.S. House of Representatives. On April 6, 2006, The American Dream Act was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congress members Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Howard Berman (D-CA), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA). The American Dream Act replaced the

US Congressman, Charles Rangel.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Voting Rights Reauthorization & Amendments Act (VRA) of 2006 The DANR called on Congress and the Bush Administration to sign into law the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Reauthorization & Amendments Act of 2006. DANR praised the bi-partisan introduction of the VRA, one of the most important civil rights legislation in American history. The right to vote in America goes to the core foundation of civic empowerment in the Dominican, Latino, and AfricanAmerican communities. We were very pleased that Congress came together in a bi-partisan fashion to renew key provisions of the Voting Rights Act which were set to expire in 2007. The Voting Rights Act has allowed an increasing number of minorities to participate in our American democracy and is credited for the increasing number of minorities elected to public office in the U.S. The Voting Rights Act was originally passed in 1965 in response to widespread discrimination against minorities to limit the abilities to vote. While the 15th Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to vote, certain states and local municipalities used tactics such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation to suppress the power of minorities to vote.

INITIATIVES Business Legislative Affairs

US Congressman, Steve Rothman.

US Congressman James McGovern.

Provisions of the VRA needed to be renewed and we called on Congress and the Bush Administration to sign into law the Voting Rights Reauthorization & Amendments Act of 2006”. It is important that gains achieved by minority voters are not rolled back.

US Congressman, Lincoln Díaz-Balart.

May 31st

DREAM Act which would help open the doors of higher edu cation for undocumented high school students in America. Other provision which the DANR viewed favorably includes the AgJobs compromise and an increase in family and employment-based permanent visas. However, the DANR has grave concerns over some provisions of the bill that could have an adverse impact on some Dominican and immigrant families.

DANR supports passage of Senate Immigration Bill The DANR commended the overall effort of the United States Senate to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. While DANR is pleased with portions of the bill that show promises of helping to ameliorate the challenges our community faces with regards to immigration; we have however grave concerns about many of the provisions of the bill which threaten to criminalize and penalize immigrants. Throughout the heated legislative debate, DANR consistently encouraged its members to call on their members of Congress and urged them to work together in a bi-partisan fashion to provide real comprehensive immigration reform bill. We called on Congress not just to develop an enforcementonly bill, but also to provide true protection to the millions of immigrants that contribute to the economic growth of our nation. DANR also called to fend off the radical members of Congress whose public statements are racially-motivated to suppress Latino advancements The Senate passed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (also known as S. 2611) by a vote of 62-36 with two Senators not voting. In the states that have large Dominican populations (New York, New Jersey, Florida, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illinois), all of the Senators voted in favor of the bill with the exception of Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) who opposed the bill. The bill, if signed into law, would put thousands of undocumented Dominicans and millions of undocumented residents on a path to earned citizenship. The bill also included the

Among DANR’s many concerns regarding the bill are: • The Category System for undocumented residents which would make the path to earned citizenship more challenging for those undocumented residents living in the U.S. less than five years. • A deterioration of due process for undocumented immigrants. • The “English-only” provision which raises safety concerns for Latinos (documented or undocumented) in the event of a urgent health and national emergencies that require communication in the native language of the constituents being served while doing nothing to provide support for Latinos needing to learn English. • The expansion of state and local law enforcement in the enforcement of immigration which could make it harder for law enforcement to receive cooperation from immigrants in solving crimes due to the fear of deportation. Overall, the national Dominican-American community was called to exert pressure on those members of the House of Representatives who voted “YES” on H.R. 4437 (a.k.a. “The Sensenbrenner Bill”), in order to ensure that they heard the call from Dominicans from around the country for a real comprehensive immigration reform bill that includes a path towards earned citizenship for undocumented residents. The current sentiment in the House is NOT to include a path to citizenship. As a unified community, DANR believed that we can do our part to turn the tide around and ensure a more just and fair immigration reform bill.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Outreach â€˘ Network Dominican Parades For over 20 years, Dominican Parades have played an important tradition throughout our community. A medley of live music, food, dancing, colorful costumes and the intricacies of sounds and feeling of Dominican culture all come to play in a celebratory stage of Dominican pride and heritage. These parades are a day-

Hudson County Dominican Day Parade.

Philadelphia Dominican Day Parade and Gov. Ed Rendell.

National Council of La Raza Capital Awards 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

Cid Wilson and Sen. John Kerry at NCLR Capital Awards.

long event that draws thousands of participants representing a cross section of cultural, business and political leadership. Each year the parades are held in the five boroughs of York City, and in cities throughout Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts and Rhode Island among other states.

Cid Wilson with NM Sec. of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron and Muriel Alfonseca at NCLR Capital Awards.

Day Parade in Lawrence.

policies vital to Hispanic Americans. In addition, to the Capital Award, the Public Service Award honors national leaders who have courageously and tirelessly advocated on behalf of the Latino community. 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.

Cid Wilson and Alejandra Castillo of DANR with NCLR President Janet Murguia at NCLR Capital Awards.

Muriel Alfonseca and Congressman Lincoln DiazBalart at NCLR Capital Awards

NCLRâ€™s Annual Conference The conference is the largest gathering of its kind in the Hispanic community, serving as the meeting ground for over 23,000 community organization leaders, activists, and volunteers; elected and appointed officials; members of the corporate, philanthropic, and academic communities; senior citizens; college students; and youth. Cid Wilson with Ken Trujillo and Janet Murguia of NCLR.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Outreach • Network ALMA Awards The NCLR Alma Awards honors outstanding Latino artistic achievement in television, film, and music and the enhancement of the Latino image in the entertainment industry. The show has established a following around the country and has made inroads for Latinos in Hollywood, and has ensured that Latino are depicted in wider roles both in front of and behind the camera. Cuban American National Council, Inc. The CNC’s National Conference is held every two (2) years and serves as a source of information on issues affecting Cuban Americans and Hispanic communities. The conference provides an important forum to bring together national and local leaders and take advantage of their experiences, observations and recommendations on public and social policy.

Cid Wilson with Guarione Diaz (Cuban American Nat’l Council) and Manuel Mirabal (Nat’l PR Coaltion).

Cid Wilson and Edward James Olmos at NCLR Alma Awards in Los Angeles, CA.

DANR Members with Cuban American National Council Leadership at CNC National Conference.

National Puerto Rican Coalition NPRC’s conference seeks to work with the Puerto Rican/Latino community to create a forum that fosters open discussion of issues that affect the quality of life for Puerto Rican families, embraces their cultural pride and values, and promotes the civic and patriotic contributions that Puerto Ricans have made to the cultural diversity of the United States.

Cid Wilson with supporters of National Puerto Rican Coalition Conference in Chicago, IL.

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials The NALEO Annual Conference is a unique source of professional development specifically tailored for Latino elected and appointed officials. Sessions at the Conference are designed to enhance the governance skills of participants and deepen their understanding of critical policy issues. In turn, they become better policymakers and public servants and are able to translate their knowledge into strategies for building stronger and healthier communities. With the opportunity to network with colleagues from throughout the country and various jurisdictions,

NALEO Conference participants are able to leverage resources for their communities across different levels of government.

Arturo Vargas and Cid Wilson at NALEO Gala Dinner in Dallas, TX.

Cid Wilson with Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and Julissa Ferreras at NALEO Gala Dinner in Dallas, TX.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Outreach â€˘ Network American Jewish Committee Israeli Embassy In a historic celebration, on September 12, 2006 the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C for the first time celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by inviting the leading Latino organizations. At the event, DANR President Cid Wilson joined as part of a selected host committee and delivered remarks to all attendees.

Cid Wilson with Latino Leaders at Israeli Embassy for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, DC.

American Jewish Committee - Project Interchange The American Jewish Committee works to strengthen intergroup relations at home and abroad; promote civil and human rights; combat all forms of bigotry and discrimination; protect the rights and freedoms of Jews worldwide; work for a secure, democratic Israel, advance understanding between Americans and Israelis; and enhance the creative vitality of the Jewish people. DANR President Cid Wilson joined a national delegation of Latino American leaders on a historic visit to

Latino Leaders at hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israel. The trip was organized and sponsored by Project Interchange, an institute of the American Jewish Committee and co-hosted the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). The purpose of the visit was to better understand the issues facing the people of Israel and to explore collaborative opportunities between the Jewish community and the Latino community in the United States.

Outside Demascus Gate in Jerusalem during the Latino Leaders Trip Israel.

League of United Latin American Citizens LULAC, the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States held its Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The six-day event drew an estimated 15,000 political, community and business leaders to discuss Latino issues. 18

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Cid Wilson, Hector Flores, Ron BlackburnMoreno LULAC Legislative Gala

Cid Wilson, Diana Diaz, Brent Wilkes and Alejandra Castillo at LULAC Gala in Washington, DC.

Special Events

Symposium: African Beat, Caribbean Echoes - Blackness in the Formation of Dominican Identity The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), The InterAgency Consultation on Race in Latin America (IAC), The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) and DANR hosted a symposium and reception to discuss on the Dominican Republic’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity, its important African heritage, and how Dominicans in the United States identify with their African roots. The event took place at the NCLR’s headquarter in Washington, DC. Speakers include: • Dr. Celsa Albert Batista, Dominican Institute for African and Asian Studies (INDAASEL) Dominican Republic • Dr. Eulalia Jiménez, Afro-Dominican Community Activist - Dominican Republic • Dr. Silvio Torres-Saillant, Syracuse University - USA • Mr. Cid Wilson, President, Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) - USA

Cid Wilson among panelists of the symposium.

DANR -”Dominicans Making Waves” New York’s DANR leaders held a fundraiser-network reception on the Hudson aboard the Temptress Yacht in New York City. The Cruise sailed along the New York Harbor featuring breathtaking and ever-changing views of the world’s premier skyline with Lady Liberty in the background while dancing the night away to the rhythms of Merengue, Salsa and Bachata. Highligts of the events included a special performance by the stars of the hit movie: MAD HOTBALLROOM. A similar event was held by the Providence, RI leaders with the support of DANR Founding Member and State Senator Juan Pichardo. DANR leadership set the example of active participation and contribution and their efforts in Providence makes Rhode Island an example of excellence.

Providence, Rhode Island.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

DANR Board Members and the children’s of the hit movie “Mad Hot Ballroom.” DANR Board Members Víctor Capellán, Luis Guzman, Cid Wilson and Dora M. Abreu with the child Wilson Castillo from the hit movie “Mad Hot Ballroom”.

Guillermo Linares, Commissioner for Immigrants Affairs of the Mayor´s Office in NY and Cid Wilson.

Dora Maria Abreu, Cesar Vizcaino, and Wendy Martinez.

Dominican Independence Day Reception at the White House On March, 2, 2006, a group of distinguished American citizens and Dominicans to celebrate the Day of the Independence of Dominican Republic in the White House of the United States. The fact to celebrate a reception of independence of any country in this place constitutes a rare honor that reflects the importance of the relations between the two countries as well as the growing importance of the Dominican-American citizens in the political processes of the United States. This annual event already has become a tradition in the United States, celebrating the contributions of the vibrant Dominican-American community to the economy, culture, sports and American politics. President George W. Bush sent a letter to the distinguished guests that met for the occasion, including, among others, Patrick Duddy, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs in the U.S. State Department, Rubén Barrales, Jennifer Seville Korn, Dominican Ambassador Flavio Darío Espinal, Dominican Congressman Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, and the Dominican-American leaders Cid Wilson, Fernando Mateo, Sergio Rodriguez and Dr. Ramón Tallaj.

Cid Wilson, President of the DANR giving remarks at the White House.

Bill Signing Ceremony at the White House

Cid Wilson with Nat’l Urban League President Marc Morial.

Cid Wilson and Rev. Jessie Jackson.

President Bush signing the Bill Cid Wilson and Martin Luther King III.

Cid Wilson with NAACP Chairman Julian Bond.

The DANR was invited to participate in the White House ceremony of the signing into law of The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Reauthorization & Amendments Act of 2006. The DANR was public supporter of the renewal of this bill which was scheduled to expire in January 2007. On July 27, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Voting Rights Reauthorization & Amendments Act into law in the South Lawn of the White House which renewed for the next 25 years the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A bi-partisan delegation of Congress was present during the signing. Among the many civic and community leaders present at the South Lawn of The White House for the ceremony were: Rev. Jessie Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Bruce S. Gordon, Julian Bond, Marc Morial, Rev. Al Sharpton, John Trasviña and Karen K. Narasaki.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

Hispanic Heritage Month To launch this year’s Hispanic heritage month celebration, the DANR together with the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation and the Dominican Embassy in the United States hosted a benefit reception honoring legendary Dominican baseball player and hall of fame inductee, Juan Marichal at the residence of Dominican Ambassador, Flavio Dario Espinal. Mr. Marichal was in Washington to receive the 20th Anniversary Hispanic Heritage Award Foundation’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award in Sport at a televised awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center. In addition, DANR also honored Hall of Famer, Orlando Cepeda, and Dominican-American TV and film actress, Judy

Cid Wilson, with the Puerto Rican player, Orlando Cepeda (HOF 99) and Dominican player, Juan Marichal (HOF 83).

Juan Marichal and Lourdes Lora Washington, DANR MD Board Member.

Reyes, Dania Ramirez and Judy Marte, all of whom were presenter at the Kennedy Award ceremony. This event was organized as benefit reception to raise funds to support DANR’s many youth programs and initiative, which include the DANR Summer Internship Program, DANR’s Leadership Program, and the DANR’s High School Cultural Exchange Program. In addition, a contribution was made to The Juan Marichal Foundation which this year designated the Arturo Grullon Pediatric Hospital as its benefit organization to help deliver cancer treatment to needy children in the Dominican Republic.

Cid Wilson, Marichal’s wife, Juan Marichal, Minerva de Espinal, H.E. Flavio D. Espinal, Cepeda’s wife, Orlando Cepeda and Dale Petrosky, Hall of Fame President.

Ada Hernandez, Alejandra Castillo, Judy Reyes, Dania Ramirez, Muriel Alfonseca and Judy Marte.

Cid Wilson, Alejandra Castillo, Juan Marichal and Muriel Alfonseca.

Dominican actresses, Antonio Tijerino, Ambassador Espinal and Cid Wilson.

Tribute to Hall of Famer Juan Marichal On September 6th, the DANR offered a tribute to the Baseball Hall of Famer Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda, at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, home of The Washington Nationals. The tribute began with the first pitch before a game between The Nationals

Official Yancey, US Marine; Dale Petrosky, Juan Marichal and Alejandra Castillo.

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

and the Giants of San Francisco. It was indeed an exciting day for Juan Marichal because his team (San Francisco Giants) was in town playing against the Nationals. Also, not only Alfonso Soriano but both teams players were visible excited of having such legends on the field.

DANR Logo featured at RFK Stadium Screen in Washington, DC.

Nationals Team Players, Soriano, Martínez with Dale Petrosky, Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda.

Strategic National Partners

DANR Strategic National Partners

National Council of La Raza (NCLR) League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials (NALEO) National Puerto Rican Coalition (NPRC) Cuban American National Council Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund (PRLDEF) Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund (MALDEF) Labor Council for Latin American Advancement MANA â€“ A National Latina Organization National Hispanic BAR Association The Hispanic Federation ASPIRA Inc. U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce American Jewish Committee National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Urban League Hispanic Association On Corporate Responsibility (HACR) National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Hispanic Heritage Foundation 24

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

DANR Awards & Recognitions

DANR Award and Recognitions

DANR Lifetime Achievement Award

DANR Community Service Award

OZZIE VIRGIL

JAY HERSHENSON

Osvaldo Jose (Sr.) (Pichardo) Virgil (born May 17, 1933) was a utility player who had a nine year career (1956-1958, 19601962, 1965, 1966, 1969). He played with the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants all of the National League and the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City A’s, Baltimore Orioles all of the American League. He played all the infield positions (catcher, first base, second base, third base, and shortstop) and the outfield. Born in Monte Cristi, Virgil has the distinction of being the first Dominican Major League Baseball player. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1950 to 1952. He is the father of Ozzie Virgil, Jr.

Vice Chancellor Jay Hershenson has been the most visible higher education leader in our community and has made CUNY a welcoming institution for Dominicans. He has been a long-time supporter of the DANR and has invested virtually millions of dollars over the years into initiatives that have benefited the Dominican community. Mr. Hershenson coordinates the University’s governmental, media, and community relations programs as well as development and CUNY-TV. He has held senior level administrative positions at CUNY since 1978.

DANR Leadership Award

DANR Student of the Year Award

LUCILO SANTOS

DAN-EL PADILLA

Lucilo Santos has been the top Dominican leader in the state of New Jersey who have successfully unified the Dominican community. He has advocated for the Dominican community in New Jersey for over 20 years and has successfully become the “go-to” person whenever the Governors, Senators, Congress members, and Mayors look to for guidance. He was the original founder of DEPAC and later helped to establish the Dominican American Council of New Jersey which he is President today. When Governor Corzine was looking to make an appearance before Latinos this year, he went to Lucilo Santos first before even going to the other ethnic groups. That is what DANR call civic power!!! His tireless efforts to empower the Dominican community in New Jersey have led to the elections of six Dominican elected officials and he led the NJ effort to rise over $150,000 to support the victims of Jimani, Dominican Republic.

Dan-El has, a 21-year-old Princeton classics major, been the poster kid for the DREAM Act and has been an example of academic excellence. He is the Princeton graduate who is caught in the middle of the immigration bureaucracy. Padilla, whose parents illegally immigrated with him from the Dominican Republic in 1989 and who was discovered in a homeless shelter at the age of nine was helped to attend the Manhattan prep school. He immediately became a class leader and went on to Princeton upon graduation. Having now been awarded a two-year scholarship to do graduate work at Oxford, Padilla is facing the possibility that if he leaves the US, where he is barred from working due to his legal status, he will be unable for the next 10 years to re-enter the country where he’s lived since age four. He is going to Oxford University this fall and at this point he may have done more for the DREAM Act than any other individual in the United States.

National Women’s History Month 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

DANR l 2006 Memoirs

is not a ranking and certainly not a complete list, it is a sample of the many outstanding women we have in our community. Angela Jimenez (AK), Lourdes Ventura (NY), Rosa Ayala (NY), Ligia Peralta (MD), Varsovia Fernandez (PA), Raquel Batista (NY), Luz Tavarez (NY), Lilliam Perez (NY), Laureana Marte Organ (NJ), Juani Ortiz (NY), Hellen Peña (LA), Janet Pichardo (RI), Elsa Mantilla (NJ), Daisy Dominguez (NY), Ana Garcia-Reyes (NY), Juanita Jenyons (NJ).

Sponsors & Supporters

Verizon Communications salutes the leadership of the Dominican American National Roundtable and we congratulate you on your 9th Annual National Conference.

Congratulations!

We proudly support the

Dominican American National Roundtable 9th Annual National Conference Coalitions & Collaboration: Achieving Unified Solutions to Common Challenges

SUPPORTERS

Dominicans in America 2005 and Beyond.

th Annual National Conference

BOSTON

October 7, 8 & 9

2005

Letter From our FIFTH PRESIDENT

October 8, 2005 To DANR Conference Participants: I would like to welcome you to the 8th Annual National Conference of the Dominican American National Roundtable. It is a great honor to have you join us for this important annual national gathering. The DANR National Conference is the ONLY time of the year where leaders from all over the United States come together to discuss issues that pertain to the Dominican community around America. The theme of this year’s conference is “Dominicans In America: 2005 and Beyond”. In this year’s conference, we will be addressing many issues that are important to the Dominican community including education, health, youth, immigration, economic development, community participation, and much more. We are pleased to be having this conference in the birthplace of American Independence: Boston, Massachusetts. We would like to thank our conference host, The University of Massachusetts – Boston, for their support of this important national gathering. This year, the DANR embarked on one of our most boldest initiatives in our organization’s history. We hit the road and brought the Dominican American National Roundtable to the local communities around the country at part of our DANR National Unity Tour Around America initiative. We visited and collaborated with Dominican leaders in Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Texas. We also participated and supported virtually every Dominican Day Parade in the United States and Puerto Rico (there were 12 in the country this year). After 35,000 miles of travel this year visiting community leaders, we were successful in strengthening the Dominican community at the local and state levels in many of our visits. In addition we were able to hear the concerns at the local level and what that various communities had in common and where there was divergence. We are proud of the results of this community initiative. We want to thank all of the local leaders for their support of our DANR National Unity Tour Around America. We launched the inaugural Dominican Leadership Institute with the goal of investing in the next generation of Dominican leaders. We selected 12 college students from around the nation to spend a week in Washington, DC to learn the elements of effective leadership. The DLI was a great success with many of the students returning to their campuses as leaders ready to make a difference in their communities. We would like to thank the Coca-Cola Foundation for their support of the DLI. In 1997, the DANR was just an idea. Today, we have become a national force advocating on behalf of the Dominican community in the United States. We have strengthened our relationship with many national Latino organizations such as the NCLR, LULAC, NALEO, The Hispanic Federation, and many, many, more prominent leading organizations. In addition, we continue to advocate for the Dominican community before the United States Congress and The White House. This year, Congress and The White House invited the DANR to address them and we were heard loud and clear.

I would like to thank our many sponsors for their support of the DANR. I also want to thank our national board of directors for their energy and leadership, including our conference co-Chairs: Andres Paniagua (Boston, MA) and Ralph Carrero (Lawrence, MA). In addition, I wish to thank the DANR Conference Planning Committee, the DANR Boston Host Committee and the many volunteers that helped to make this conference possible. Most of all, I would like to thank YOU, the conference participant, for your support of the DANR. Have a great conference weekend!!!! Sincerely,

President Dominican American National Roundtable

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

We as Dominicans have much to be proud of, however there is still much to be done to empower the Dominican community at the national level. As we look beyond 2005, there are many hurdles to overcome. Dominicans continue to be undercounted and we are calling on the U.S. Census to include Dominican. In addition, we are calling for comprehensive immigration reform and stronger legislation that improves the quality of education in our communities.

BOARDS Of Directors Hon. Cid Wilson (NJ), President Commissione r of the Bergen County, NJ Improvement Authority, Founding Boardmember of Dominicans on Wall Street (DOWS), member of the New Jersey State Ethnic Advisory Council, and Director of Equity Research for Monarch Research LLC. Josefina Infante (NJ), 1st Vice President Executive Director and founder of the non-for-profit Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation (HPEDC) — the largest Industrial park in New York City Maria Luna (NY), 2nd Vice President District 71AD Leader for Northern Manhattan and long time national activist. Dora Maria Abreu (NY), Vice President of Membership Youth activist for the Dominican community in New York City . Member of various boards dealing with information technology and technology analyst for Goldman Sachs & Co. Rafael Morel (FL), Treasurer Certified Public Accountant and Chairman of the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce of Florida

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Muriel Alfonseca (MD), Asst. Treasurer Social Development Specialist of the Inter-American Development Bank and active member of the Grupo De Profesionales Dominicanos in Washington, DC. Everin Perez (RI), Secretary Associate Director for Adoption & Foster Care for the Urban League of Rhode Island . Board member for the Rhode Island Coalition of Immigrants and Refugees. Pura Vazquez (PR), Asst. Secretary Attorney at Law and community activist on Dominican affairs in Puerto Rico. Ralph Carrero (MA), Co-Chair of DANR 8th Annual National Conference

Coordinator of Student Services of the Greater Lawrence Technical High School and member of Casa Dominicana in Lawrence , MA . Candidate for Mayor of Lawrence , MA in 1997 and 2001. First Latino in the history of the Lawrence to be elected to public office. Andres Paniagua (MA), Co-Chair of DANR 8thAnnual National Conference Professor at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Advisor to Casa Latina. Aneiry Batista (NY) Activist in the Dominican community in Northern Manhattan and staff associate to New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat Saily Cabral (NY) Member of labor union SEIU-1199 and active with the Dominican American labor movement. Alejandra Castillo (DC) Former employee at The White House, attorney and activist with the Washington , DC Dominican community. Raysa Castillo (NY) Attorney at Law and President of the Dominican Women’s Caucus in New York . Jovanna Garcia (RI) Health Educator for the Urban League of Rhode Island and active in the Providence Dominican community. Luis Guzman (NJ) Detective Lieutenant for the Passaic , NJ Police Department and the highest ranking Dominican in law enforcement in the State of New Jersey . Member of the Dominican American Council of NJ.

Marianela Jordan (NY) Executive Director of CASA of Nassau County and currently the highest ranking Dominican appointed official in Long Island , NY Nestor Montilla (NY) Associate Director - Int’l Programs & Community Relations for Hostos Community College and active with the Dominican leadership at the City University of New York (where more Dominicans have graduated than any other university in the United States). Rafael Núñez-Cedeño, PhD (IL) Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Dept. of Department of Spanish, French, et. al. for the University of Illinois-Chicago and member of the Dominican American Midwest Association in Chicago . Moises Perez (NY) Executive Director of Alianza Dominicana in New York , the largest community-based Dominican institution in the U.S. Rhadames Peguero (FL) Executive Director of the Dominican American National Foundation of Florida, the largest community-based Dominican institution in the state of Florida . Jose Torres (FL) Former Chairman of the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and active in the South Florida business community. Jhomphy Ventura (RI) President of CHISPA in Rhode Island and member of Quisqueya En Accion in Providence .

Julissa Ferreras (NY) Senior Executive For NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials) in New York State and activist in the Queens, NY Dominican community.

Cesar Vizcaino (NJ) Founder and President of the Dominican Day Parade & Festival of Newark, NJ and an activist with the Newark and Essex County Dominican Community. Senior Associate to Councilman Hector Corchado of Newark , NJ .

Oscar Herasme (NY) Attorney at Law, Executive Director of the National Money Transmitters Association, and President of the Dominican American Professional Alliance (DAPA) in New York .

Lourdes Washington (MD) Executive at Mega Communications, the largest Spanish language radio group in the East Coast of the U.S. , and member of the Grupo De Profesionales Dominicanos in Washington , DC .

Letter from the Mayor of Boston, Thomas M. Menino

CITY OF BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF THE MAYOR THOMAS M. MENINO September 9, 2005

Dear Friends: It is my pleasure to welcome you to Boston for the Dominican American National Roundtable 8th Annual National Conference. This is a great opportunity for your organization to experience our great city and I am pleased that you have chosen Boston to share your ideas and insights at your annual conference. I have often said that the strength of our city is its diversity and it is the diversity of our residents that makes Boston so special. The city has long been home for different immigrant groups and that rich cultural heritage has made Boston so unique today. One of the many groups that has added to that uniqueness is Boston’s thriving Dominican community. Our Dominican community has made a large contribution to our city. Benefiting from the many initiatives offered, Dominicans have become the largest demographic of small business owners in Boston and have brought a positive presence to our neighborhoods. During your stay in Boston, I encourage you to take advantage of America’s first city and all it has to offer. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill or the sidewalks of fashionable Newbury Street. Visit the Freedom Trail, vibrant Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and our world-class museums. The charm of Boston lies within its old-world atmosphere and its contemporary, international flavor. I invite you to discover our uniqueness and share the excitement, warmth, and hospitality of the people of Boston.

Sincerely, Thomas M. Menino Mayor of Boston

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

I hope you enjoy your visit to Boston, and I wish you a challenging, productive and successful conference.

HISTORY OF THE Dominican American National Roundtable

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 Acton 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.

other gatherings designed to secure the grassroots and leadership buy-in necessary to ensure the Roundtable’s success and effectiveness, For example, 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,

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

1998 Following the Dec. 1997 conference a meeting was organized that brought together at Alianza Dominicana, Inc. in NYC a broad spectrum of Dominican community leaders. 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

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

members, of whom seven were women.

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. 2000 In February 2000 the Roundtable was incorporated in Washington, D.C. With the theme, “Dominicans in the United States: Americas’ New Face,” the 3rd Annual Conference was celebrated in NYC on Oct. 6-8, 2000 with great success. and the DANR Board elected its second president, Hon. Adriano Espaillat, from New York. In 2000 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, increasing the numbers of members entering the organization, and obtaining the Federal Exempt Status. 2001 The Roundtable opened its headquarters in Washington DC and appointed Jose R. Bello as its Executive Director on Oct. 1st 2000.With the theme “Empowerment through Education: The Way for Dominican Americans” the 4th Annual Conference took place on Dec. 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

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 InterAmerican Development Bank and the US Senate Committee for International Relations. DANR also held two important meetings in Washington, DC, the Dominican American Business Legislative Meeting, where Dominican business leaders met with US legislators to discuss policy issues affecting our community, and 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. In addition, DANR published a 2002 Dominican American Calendar, to promote Dominican American artists, as well as, 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. 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

HISTORY OF the Dominican American National Roundtable

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 invites members of the Dominican and Puerto Rican community to hear opinions and comments on the benefits and challenges of the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the Dominican Republic. The DANR had successfully lobbied Congress and the Bush Administration to include the Dominican Republic in any free trade negotiations. Members of the public heard comments from Congressman Charlie Rangel, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, and representative of the U.S., Dominican, and Puerto Rican governments. 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 nations youth with the tools to achieve the goals set out by our Dominican youth. During the tragic days following the deaths in Jimani, Dominican Republic, the DANR collaborates 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. The DANR went to Chicago for the first time ever to participate in the National HispanicLatino 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 Cepeda-Leonardo for her community support. DANR President Cid Wilson gives 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 7th Annual National Conference at The City College of New York - CUNY in New York City, Sept. 1719, 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 graduation commencement speaker at multiple venues through 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 gave opening 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, and many more national organizations. The DANR hosts its 8th Annual National Conference in Boston, MA at the UMassBoston Student Campus Center, October 7-9, 2005. 5

Víctor Capellán 1999-2000

Adriano Espaillat 2000-2001

Ana García-Reyes 2001-2002

Margarita Cepeda Leonardo 2002-2003

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Past PRESIDENTS

Letter from MICHAEL COLLINS, UMASS Boston Chancellor

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Letter from the US President, GEORGE W. BUSH

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Letter from MITT ROMNEY, Governor of Massachusetts

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Message from Leonel Fernández Reyna, President of the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

From His Excellency Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, President of the Dominican Republic October 1, 2005 Mr. Cid Wilson President The Dominican-American National Roundtable (DANR) Eighth Annual National Conference & Annual Meeting Boston, Massachusetts Dear President Wilson: Please receive my sincere appreciation for the invitation to participate in the DANR´s Eighth Annual National Conference at The University of Massachusetts Boston. Unfortunately, my current duties do not allow me to travel at this moment, but please keep me informed of the conference results. I am confident that the results of this event will be positive and guaranteed by three key ingredients: the hard work and leadership of the DANR team, and the hospitality of the UMASS Boston Community, which I experienced first-hand when conferred with an honorary doctoral degree during this year’s graduation ceremony. The DANR’s annual conferences offer participants an important forum for dynamic debate, intense learning and strategic networking, opportunities that are vital for their personal and professional growth. They offer a great selection of workshops and educational and recreational activities, thus appealing to people of all ages and areas. In addition, they foster a better understanding, and trigger further engagement in favor of advancing the socioeconomic and political agenda of the Dominican people.

Respectfully,

Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna President of the Dominican Republic

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I salute DANR Board Members for their unwavering dedication to organizing a successful DANR Annual National Conference. Furthermore, I commend the DANR for its commitment in promoting awareness of the Dominican Community’s challenges and dreams.

Letter from ANIBAL ACEVEDO, Governor of Puerto Rico

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Conference AGENDA

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Opening Ceremony for DANR 8th Annual National Conference Alumni Room Campus Center

Saturday, October 8, 2005 All Daytime Events Taking Place at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Campus Center 7:30AM - 9:00AM

Registration & Breakfast

9:00AM - 9:30AM

Welcoming Remarks

9:45AM - 11:45PM

Morning Workshops

12:00PM - 1:45PM

Luncheon

2:00PM - 4:00PM

Afternoon Workshops

4:00PM - 5:00PM

Receptions

7:00PM - 8:00PM

Cocktail Reception

8:00PM - 1:30AM

Gala Dinner & Dance

Sunday, October 9, 2005 Breakfast

10:30AM - 12:00PM

President's Report, Annual Meeting, and Board Elections

12:00PM

Conference concludes

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9:30AM - 10:30AM

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UMASS Floor Plans & Maps

The DANR Dominican Leadership Institute Washington, DC – July 24-30, 2005 This past summer, the DANR launched the inaugural Dominican Leadership Institute (DLI) presented by Coca-Cola. The DLI was facilitated by the Bert Corona Leadership Institute in Washington, DC which has a proven leadership training program. The program was a one-week immersion program in which the DANR selected 12 students from all over the country to come together in Washington, DC.

on important legislation. They then worked the halls of Congress sharing their legislative positions with members of Congress and the U.S. Senate.

The Dominican Leadership Institute was a huge success. During their visit to Congress this summer, the DLI was recognized on the floor of the House of Representatives by Congressman Charlie Rangel. In addition, these future leaders were able to research national issues effecting Dominicans and take positions

Amaris Guzman (St. John’s University) – Paterson, NJ

The DANR is proud to be investing in the next generation of Dominican American leaders. Among these individuals could be our next great Dominican leader. Congratulations to the next generation of Dominican American Leaders:

Arlenis Almonte (Bentley College) – New York, NY Bethsaida George (Brooklyn College) – Brooklyn, NY Edwin Zambrano (Ramapo College of

NJ) – Bronx, NY Evelyn Ng Duran (Brown University) – Providence, RI John A. Meche (CUNY: Hostos C.C. & John Jay College) – New York, NY Karla Acevedo (Boston College)– Everett, MA Nassar Farid Mufdi Ruiz (University of Pennsylvania) – Miami, FL Natalie Archibald (Wellesley College) – Bronx, NY Pablo Rodriguez (CUNY: The City College of New York) – Bronx, NY Suhaly Bautista (New York University) – New York, NY Ysaira Paulino (CUNY: The City College of New York) – Bronx, NY

Consulado General de la República Dominicana en Boston, Massachusetts

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Siempre apoyando lo nuestro, nos unimos junto a la Mesa Redonda Dominico-Americana, en la celebración de la 8va. Conferencia Anual Nacional

We proudly salute

The Dominican American National Roundtable on the occasion of

â€œDominicans in America 2005 and Beyondâ€?

8th Annual National Conference in Boston Best wishes!

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 the legalization of all Dominicans living in the United State territory.

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

towards the school retention among our students.

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 the US Citizenship.

• 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 asks government and private foundations to give support to Citizenship program that DANR is establishing. Asylum in the United States DANR believes that all immigrants requesting asylum in the United States have to have equal treatment under the US laws and INS regulations.

Access to Higher Education

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

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. • 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.

Permanent Restoration of Section §245(i) §245(i) Section gives immigrants an opportunity to apply for residency without

Americans.

Professional Accreditation Many Dominican professionals that recently migrated to US are facing problems of working in their professional fields. • DANR supports legislation and regulations that facilitate the accreditation in the US of foreign professionals. • We ask for programs that help to transfer foreign professional skills into the US job market.

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

Promotion of US Citizenship

Deportation of Lawful Dominican Citizens DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

having to leave the country provided that certain requirements are met.

DANR supports legislation and programs that foster recruitment, retention and graduation of Dominican students from college. We also encourage our students to seek graduate programs. • DANR will praise any legislation that enhances educational opportunities for Latinos and easy access to scholarship, grants, educational loans, etc.

English as a Second Language 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 Puerto Rico and in the United States. • We ask for an increment in government funds to support ESL programs in our communities.

Dual Language 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

• 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.

Voter Registration and Electoral Civic Participation 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 business organizations for the success of the whole Dominican community. • DANR encourages a strong alliance of

Guiding PRINCIPLES

all Dominican American Chambers of Commerce to enhance the future of our business community.

home ownership. DANR encourages Dominicans in the United States to buy a residence.

• 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.

• 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.

The Dominican community is largely a community of workers with a broad range of needs. Youth, newly arrived, displaced workers, underemployed, and women are 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 and needs and interests of Dominican American workers.

Affordable Housing Rent 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.

Dominican Americans send annually the largest foreign aid coming from the United States 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.

• Private financial institution, 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 communitybase organizations, therefore we consider 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.

Housing Ownership At the core of the American dream is

• 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.

Race and Ethnicity 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 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 will promote electoral district that ease the participation and political advance of Latinos, and especially Dominicans in the United States.

Regulation of political financial contribution to foreign political parties 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 Dominican Republic political organization and parties’ activities in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Non-political elected appointees

HOUSING

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

RACE, ETHNICITY GENDER AND SEXUALITY

Remittances

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

HEALTH AND AGING Health Insurance Programs Latinos and Dominicans represent the largest sector of the uninsured in the nation.

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

• 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 coalition with other subsections of the Latino community with which Dominicans share needs and concerns.

Gender 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 Sexuality As an institution that is committed to diversity and the recognition of difference DANR acknowledges, values, and respects people’s different sexual orientations, include gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, and transsexual members of the Dominican Community. • 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.

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Employment and Training

• DANR encourages the promotion of Dominican appointees.

DANR Special RECOGNITIONS

2005 Leadership Recognitions The Dominican American National Roundtable will be honoring three Dominicans who have demonstrated leadership in our community and years of public service.

Hon. Guillermo Linares made history in 1991 when he was elected as a New York City Councilman thus making him the first Dominican ever in U.S. history to win public office of a governing body. He served for three terms. In 1999, former President Bill Clinton appointed Mr. Linares as Chairman of the White House Initiative For Educational Excellence For Hispanic Americans. Today, he is the Commissioner for the Office of Immigrant Affairs for the City of New York. He continues to be a driving force within the Dominican community in the Greater New York Metropolitan area.

Hon. Julia Silverio made history in 1997 when she was elected to the Lawrence, MA City Council. Her victory made her the first Dominican female ever to win public office in the history of New England. She is also the first Dominican female ever to hold public office for multiple terms in U.S. history. She served as Counselor until 2002. Today she continues to demonstrate her leadership by advocating for Dominican youth and for a stronger community in Massachusetts

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Ms. Frieda Garcia came to the United States in 1940 and has served the people of Massachusetts since 1965. In 1971, she served as the Founding Director of La Alianza Hispana, which is one of the largest Latino multi-service agencies in Massachusetts. In addition, she was a special assistant to former Governor Frank Sargent in 1974 and President of the United South End Settlements (popularly known as the Harriet Tubman House) from 1981 to 2001.

DOMINICANS Across USA

Dominicans in Massachusetts By andrés paniagua

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Dominicans in Massachusetts are not just a recent phenomenon. There are many recorded accounts of Dominicans living in Massachusetts during the early 40’s. The most notable of them is Pedo Henriquez Ureña, the Dominican literary critic, philologist and historian of Latin American culture, who was the Charles Eliot Norton visiting professor at Harvard University in 1941. After the 1960’s, a Dominican community began to settle in several areas or New England. This influx of new immigrants is the by-product of political events and economic factors affecting the Dominican Republic after the death of the dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1961. Today, Dominicans are the second largest Hispanic group in Massachusetts. . Dominicans have a large presence in city of Lawrence, MA where they account for more than 24% of the population. Boston, Lynn, Salem and Peabody, and more recently Worcester and Brockton have seen dramatic increases in the Dominican population since 1990. Initially an invisible group of hardworking people, Dominicans are now recognized by their entrepreneurial spirit, contributing to the revitalization of several depleted urban areas, with shops, parlors, night clubs, and other front-store business, creating jobs, providing useful services helping the economy of the state. Dominicans in Massachusetts are crossing, breaking, blurring the barriers

that once limited their participation and recognition. Thanks to the baseball stars such Pedro Martinez (currently with the Mets), David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez (with the Boston Red Sox), the Dominican Republic is a household name in Boston, and seldom does a Dominican have to explain his national origin. Dominicans have also made strides in the areas of civil service, politics, science, art, culture and education, changing the demographic landscape of Massachusetts and contributing to the greatness of the cities where they settled.

Other notable Dominicans are: Marcos Devers who served for a period as the Mayor of the city of Lawrence, President of the City Council, and one of the most voted city officials in that city’s history; Julia Silverio, Carlos Matos, and Ralph Carrero have also served as elected official in Lawrence; William Lantigua was the first Dominican to be elected to the State House of Representatives. He represents the 16th District, which includes portion of the city of Lawrence; Juan Gomez is City Councilman-at-Large and City Council president in Worcester; Rafael Ruiz is the Deputy Superintendent of the Boston Police Department, and Juan de los Santos is the Chief Court Officer. And Héctor Piña’s Merengue Restaurant and catering service in Dorchester a watering hole for baseball stars and political celebrities, is the is the best kept secret in town. Dominicans have also established themselves culturally in Massachusetts. Dominican parades are held every summer in cities across the state. Fundo Arco, in Boston, Casa Dominicana, in Lawrence and Worcester are institutions whose goals are to preserve the Dominican culture and enrich their communities. Although Dominicans in Massachusetts face the same challenges that Dominicans all over the U.S. face, they are building a communities that have seen important progress and have attained great amount of successes. Most noteworthy of all happened in June 2005, the University of Massachusetts granted an honorary degree to Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic. President Fernández was additionally given the honor of addressing the 2005 graduating class. In honoring President Fernández, the University of Massachusetts was honoring all Dominicans (and all Latinos as well) living in Massachusetts. True to their commitment, the University of Massachusetts is proud to host the Dominican American National Roundtable 8th Annual Conference this year.

Mission & STATEMENT

Mission & Statement 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.

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Highlights of the Previous Year

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Highlights of the Previous Year

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Highlights of the Previous Year

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

Highlights of the Previous Year

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Workshops

EDUCATION

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Workshops

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

THE WILLIAM JOINER CENTER

The William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences congratulates the Dominican American National Roundtable in their National Conference that will be held at UMass Boston on the weekend of October 7, 8 & 9, 2005.

THE WILLIAM JOINER CENTER

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Workshops

WOMEN

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Workshops

IDENTITY

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Workshops

YOUTH

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Workshops

POLITICS

SPECIAL THANKS & Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements Asociacion Dominicana de Alaska

Dominican Day Parade of Providence, RI

Asociacion Dominicana de Georgia

Dominican Day Parade of San Juan, PR (Desfile de la Hispanidad)

Asociacion Dominicana de Maryland Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat – New York State Assembly Bert Corona Leadership Institute – Washington, DC

Dominican Day Parade of Washington Heights (Carnaval del Boulevard) Dominican Times Magazine

CUNY Dominican Studies Institute

Dominicanos Pro-Ayuda A La Niñez

CUNY Vice Chancellor Jay Hershenson

Dominicanos Unidos de Louisiana

Daniel Garza – The White House

Dominicans On Wall Street

DANR Conference Coordinator Barbara Gonzalez

Federation of Dominican Americans of South Jersey and Pennsylvania

DANR Staff – Meisu Marcano and Gabriela Brito Dominican American Council of New Jersey Dominican American Professional Alliance

Gissell Abreu-Rodriguez – University of Massachusetts – Boston

Dominican BAR Association

Grupo De Profesionales Dominicanos de Washington, DC

Dominican Day Parade of Boston, MA

Hon. Bernardo Vega

Dominican Day Parade of Bronx, NY

Hon. Guillermo Linares, Ph.D.

Dominican Day Parade of Brooklyn, NY

Jose Ramon Bello

Dominican Day Parade of Jersey City

Kevin Dann & Partners LLC – New York, NY

Dominican Day Parade of Lawrence, MA

Latin Pride Magazine

Dominican Day Parade of New York, NY

Luis Salcedo – National Supermarket Association

Dominican Day Parade of Newark, NJ (Essex County) Dominican Day Parade of Paterson, NJ (NJ Statewide Parade)

Miosotis Muñoz and Annie Minguez – Office of Congressman Charles Rangel

Dominican Day Parade of Philadelphia

New York Federation of Hispanic Chamber of Commerces

Dr. Ricardo R. Fernandez, President, and the Students, Faculty, and Staff of

LEHMAN COLLEGE THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK commend the Dominican American National Roundtable

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

AND OFFER GREETINGS AT HE 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

EDUCATION & CIVIC PARTICIPATION Lehman College of The City University of New York is public, coeducational liberal arts college with more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and a current enrollment of over 10,000 students. At Lehman, students develop their intellectual, social, and professional potential. Student life is enriched by NCAA Division III athletics, cocurricular activities, performance groups, and honor societies such as Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key. The CUNY Honors College at Lehman prepares students for top graduate programs and for leadership positions in both their professions and their communities. Lehman is one of only thirteen institutions nationally to be selected as an ‘Institution of Excellence in the First College Year’ and the first within CUNY to receive accreditation from National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). www.lehman.cuny.edu

Phone: 1-877-LEHMAN-1

Special Thanks & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Office of Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat

Quisqueya En Accion – Providence, RI

Office of Congressman Charles Rangel – New York

Staff at Alianza Dominicana

Office of Congressman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen – Florida

Staff at the Dominican American National Foundation of Florida

Office of Congressman James Langevin – Rhode Island

State Senator Juan Pichardo – State of Rhode Island

Office of Congressman Jim McGovern — Massachusetts

Susan De Moya Foundation – Baltimore, MD

Office of Congressman Jose Serrano – New York

Tadeo Silva – MetLife (Strategic Planning Group): 646-227-5071

Office of Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart – Florida Office of Congressman Marty Meehan – Massachusetts Office of Congressman Robert Menendez – New Jersey Office of Congressman Steve Rothman – New Jersey Office of Hostos Vice President Ana Garcia-Reyes Office of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney

The Coca-Cola Foundation The Embassy of the Dominican Republic The Hispanic Federation – New York, NY The Mexican Legal Defense & Education Fund (MALDEF) The National Council of La Raza – Washington, DC

Office of Mayor Brian Stack – Union City, NJ

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda – Washington, DC

Office of Mayor David Cicilline – Providence, RI

The National Puerto Rican Coalition in Washington, DC

Office of Mayor Eddie A. Perez – Hartford, CT

The People of the City of Lawrence, MA

Office of Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres – Paterson, NJ

The Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund (PRLDEF)

Office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg – New York, NY

Tonio Burgos & Associates – New York, NY

Office of Sen. Charles Schumer – New York

Tony Barros – Office of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino

Office of Sen. Frank Lautenberg – New Jersey

Univision Communications

Office of Sen. Hilary Rodham Clinton – New York

Yadires Nova Salcedo – CBS4 Boston

Office of Sen. Jon Corzine – New Jersey Office of Sen. Mel Martinez – Florida Office of Senator Juan Pichardo Poder Magazine

We also wish to thank the spouses of the DANR Boardmembers who have allowed their husbands and wives to serve the Dominican community in the United States.

Providing service to the Latino community in Massachusetts For more information visit us or call: 595 Washington St. Dorchester MA 02124 617-282-4580

All Checks Cashed is glad to support the DANR in their Annual Conference

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

See you next year at the

DANR | 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005

9th Annual National Conference Atlantic City, NJ October 6, 7, & 8, 2006

We proudly support the Dominican American National Rountable in their

8th Annual National Conference

University Of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd. | Boston, MA 02125-3393 | 617-287-5000