April 25, 2023
Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)
Representative Adriano Espaillat Reintroduces Legislation to Establish the Commission on United States Occupations Act or “La Comisión de las ocupaciones norteamericanas Act,” A Commission to Study Reconciliation Proposals for the Dominican Republic
Espaillat’s Legislation Would Establish the “Commission on United States Occupations Act” or “La Comisión de las ocupaciones norteamericanas Act” to Address Fundamental Repercussions of Misguided Interventions and Occupations by the United States on the Dominican Republic between 1916–1924 and 1965–1966.
Bill introduction coincides with the 58th year recognition of the start of the Dominican Civil War, also known as ‘La Revolución de Abril’
NEW YORK, NY – This week, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will reintroduce his bill urging the creation of a commission to study interventions and occupations of the United States and develop proposals for the repair and reconciliation to the people of the Dominican Republic as these misguided interventions led to generations of turmoil and civil conflict.
“The United States established diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic in 1884 following forty years of its independence. Ever since, the country has witnessed periods of dictatorship, austerity, interventions, and political insurrection along with an increasing national debt that led to two occupations by the United States in the Dominican Republic. We cannot change history, but we can ensure such atrocities are never again committed in our future. As the first Dominican American to serve in the United States House of Representatives, I have made it my mission to help strengthen relations between the United States and the Dominican Republic, while ensuring the rights and voices of the citizens of both lands are counted and heard.”
Espaillat’s Commission to Study and Develop a Formal Apology, Repair and Reconciliation Proposals for Dominican Republic will:
1. Examine facts relating to the United States interest to incorporate the Dominican Republic as United States territory in 1869 with the “Annexation for Santo Domingo” Treaty.
2. Examine United States military occupations in the Dominican Republic between 1916–1924.
3. Examine United States military interventions in the Dominican Republic between 1965–1966.
4. Compile and document an accurate number of casualties, including deaths and injuries during all United States occupations and interventions in the Dominican Republic.
5. Document the cost of damage or destruction of private property during all United States occupations and interventions in the Dominican Republic.
6. Recommend programs to build public awareness.
7. Document the impact of the occupations and interventions in the Dominican Republic’s economy and democracy.
8. Recommend programs to build public awareness.
9. Recommending appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission’s findings to help further U.S. relations throughout the Dominican Republic.
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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.
Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov