PRESS RELEASE

January 30, 2007 For Immediate Release
Please Contact Evelyn Benson

Tel. (305) 772-5857

evelynbenson2@aol.com

Dominican American Heritage and Cultural Week Starts February 22

Miami --- The Miami Dade County Board of Commissioners has designated the week of February 22 – 28, 2007 and every year thereafter as “Dominican American Heritage and Cultural Week.” Sponsored by Commissioners Joe Martinez and Audrey Edmonson, the resolution was approved on January 25^th.

“Dominican Americans are among the largest foreign-born groups of population in our County,” said former chairman Joe Martinez. “Spotlighting their presence, accomplishments and contributions to our cultural diversity and economy will promote understanding, and positive community relations.”

A steering committee composed of representatives from Latinos United in Action Center, Inc. (Dr. Amada Vargas, Pedro Uranga, and Evelyn Benson), and Dominicans Roddy Gomez, Manuel Nin Matos, Domingo Castillo, Ramon Barros, Luis Frias, and Felix Zuriel, worked for the passing of the proclamation.

“To make this a genuine community-wide event,” said Dr. Amada Vargas, executive director of Latinos United, “businesses may wish to exhibit at our table top expo, or sponsor the softball games, musical concert, annual awards, picnic or other celebrations that spotlight the essence, passion and the best of Dominican Americans. All residents of Miami Dade, regardless of race and background, are invited.”

Latinos United is the lead organizer for the Week’s series of events. Partial list of sponsors include Antillean Marine Shipping Corporation, Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Miami, and RD Noticias. More sponsors are being finalized and will be announced soon.

Tentative schedule includes:

· Feb.22 (Thursday) – Wreath-laying (Juan Pablo Duarte Park);

- Ecumenical Service (Nuestra Sra de la Altagracia Church)

· Feb. 23 (Friday) - Business Seminars (Crowne Plaza Hotel)

- Business Luncheon (with government officials)

- Cultural/ Art Exhibits/Documentary Films

- Business Expo/Tabletop Exhibits & Networking

· Feb. 24 - Gala Dinner & Awards (Crowne Plaza Hotel)

· Feb. 24 (Saturday) - Dominican Independence Softball Cup Games (Moore Park)

· Feb. 25 (Sunday) – Wellness & Family Picnic (Moore Park)

· Feb. 26 (Monday) - Dominican Cine-Forum (Miami Dade College- Wolfson Campus)

· Feb.27 (Tuesday) - Francisco Casanova accompanied by Anna Tonna in Concert

(Gusman Center)

While the largest concentration of Dominican Americans is in New York (455,061), Florida ranks second with about 170,968 Dominican Americans. In Miami Dade County, they are one of the top five foreign born groups by country of birth: Cuba (1^st) , Nicaragua (2^nd), Colombia(3^rd), Haiti(4^th), and Dominican Republic (5^th), according to a report by prepared for the Knight Foundation by the Migration Policy Institute.

For reservations, or exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, contact Dr. Amada Vargas, at (786) 326-4428, email at amadav@aol.com. For more information: www.latinosunidos.org

Commissioners Joe Martinez and Audrey Edmonson (fourth and fifth from Right), celebrate the passing of the resolution declaring the last week of February as Dominican American Heritage and Cultural Week with representatives of the Community led by Dr. Amada Vargas, executive director, Latinos United in Action Center, (third from Right).

LUAC-Departamento de Prensa: El chairman de la comisión de la ciudad de Miami Sr. Ángel González sugirió el nombre de la Dra. J. Amada Vargas Ph.D. para formar parte de la comisión asesora de la ciudad, en el capitulo de Arte & Entretenimiento.

Es de hacer notar que este nombramiento es la primera vez que recae en la persona de un ciudadano americano de origen dominicano. Razón por la cual tanto la comunidad hispana de la ciudad, como la colonia dominicana se sienten complacidos por tan importante escalada de un miembro suyo, en el engranaje gubernamental de la ciudad.

Comisión de personalidades de la diáspora reciben proclama.

Otro importante acontecimiento lo constituye el hecho de que Latinos United In Action Center, Inc. organización de la cual la Dra. J. Amada Vargas es fundadora, conjuntamente con un grupo de personalidades dominicanas sometió ante Directiva de Comisionados del condado de Miami-Dade, a través de su directivo principal el Sr. Joe Martínez la solicitud para declarar a partir del año 2007 cada ultima semana de febrero y por siempre, como: “La Semana de La Herencia Cultural Dominico-Americana”. Lo cual fue aprobado por unanimidad, una comisión de personalidades de la diáspora estuvo presente en el salón de los comisionados el 25 de Enero recibiendo la proclama oficial.

En la grafica superior podemos observar a la Comisionada de Miami Dade Distrito 3 Audry Edmonson y al comisionado Joe Martinez junto a directivos de LUAC, y personalidades de la comunidad dominicana. También se sumaron a la celebración el asistente para asuntos hispanos del alcalde Carlos Álvarez, el Dominicano Mr. Roddy Gomez y el Sr. Ramón Barros, colaborador insigne de LUAC