Bill Text: NY K00546 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the designation of the Little Dominican Republic in Washington Heights
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-06-12 - adopted [K00546 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-K00546-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 546 BY: M. of A. De La Rosa COMMEMORATING the designation of the Little Dominican Republic in Washington Heights WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those events which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the designation of the Little Dominican Republic in Washington Heights; and WHEREAS, The world's first Little Dominican Republic, which became official on September 7, 2018, honors the Dominican communities of Washington Heights and Inwood that built up the neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, The Little Dominican Republic, a commercial and cultural designation, spans much of the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods starting from West 145th Street to West 220th Street; the designated area features cultural and historical landmarks such as the Morris-Jumel Mansion, the Met Cloisters, The City College of New York and the George Washington Bridge; and WHEREAS, New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world and has benefitted in countless ways from the contributions of its many ethnic communities, immigrants and their descendants; and WHEREAS, The latest wave of Dominican immigrants to the United States began in the 1960s with a significant group working in sectors such as professional services, finance, fashion, arts, design, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, tourism and small business notably beauty salons, bodegas, transportation and supermarkets, fleeing the oppression of the Trujillo regime and enhancing the socioeconomic fabric of New York City; and WHEREAS, The Dominican population in the United States continues to grow, and as of 2018, there were 2.2 million Dominican immigrants residing in the country accounting for the fifth largest Hispanic group; and WHEREAS, New Yorkers from the Dominican community represent a significant part of New York City's ever growing economic, social, political and cultural landscape; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, New York City has the largest percentage of Dominicans in the United States of America, accounting for one of the largest immigrant groups in New York City with a significant population residing in the neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Inwood; and WHEREAS, According to 2018 data by the Migration Policy Institute, an estimated 609,000 Dominicans reside in the Tri-State area; and WHEREAS, Washington Heights has come to be recognized as the "barrio" that embodies Dominican culture and commerce and is regarded as a neighborhood where they can live, eat, worship and socialize as a community, and share their artistic and cultural values; and WHEREAS, New York State, New York City and the entire nation has benefitted from the many contributions of prominent Dominicans such as Alex Rodriguez, Millie Quezada, Santiago Ceron, Raquel Cepeda, Pedro Alvarez Guillermo Linares, Adriano Espaillat, and Cardi B; and WHEREAS, The designation of Little Dominican Republic, affectionately known as Little DR, in Washington Heights will serve as an inspiration to all Americans and will signify that those who trace their ancestry from Quisqueya and the Greater Caribbean region deserve recognition and celebration for their historical, economic, social, political and cultural contributions to New York City and the United States of America, and will encourage all who reside in and/or who visit New York City to come Uptown and experience the rich food, culture and community of Dominican-Americans first-hand; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the designation of the Little Dominican Republic in Washington Heights; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the residents of the Dominican communities of Washington Heights.