Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts Reception Celebrating Dominican Heritage

August 7, 2024

Denise Felipe-Adams, Executive Director, Mayor's Office of Innovation & Emerging Markets: Buenas noches mi gente. ¡Qué lo que! My beautiful people, bienvenidos a la casa del pueblo, the people's house. It is such a pleasure being here with you all. Con tanta gente linda, muy hermoso. Den un aplauso por salir en esta temporada. I am Denise Felipe-Adams, pero muchos me conocen like Dominican Denise. And it is a pleasure to serve and represent Dominicanos here in the Adams administration.

There's an English song that says, by Luther Vandross that says, never too much, never too much. You guys know it? Okay. There's never too much that Mayor Eric Adams can do for us. The city that he loves so much. He continues to host these heritage events that allows us to freely express and celebrate the beauty of our dynamic diaspora with good music and food that's not vegan, gracias a Dios.

We are very loud and happy people. Y somos el sazón de Sancocho. Una mezcla de todo, un poquito de todo, como dice mami. Si me permiten un favor.

Translation: And we are the seasoning of Sancocho. A mix of everything, a little bit of everything, as mommy says. If you allow me a favor.

I was raised listening to merengue típico with uncles that were multi-talented, who were cooks, carpenters, mechanics, and barbers all at one time. What a crazy hustle.

Y me crié como una madre dominicana, muy, muy dominicana, haciendo oficio todos los sábados, escuchando un poquito de merengue, y me enseñó a cocinar. Porque ustedes saben, la mujer que no sabe cocinar, no se puede casar. Ustedes ya lo saben, imagínense eso.

Translation: And I grew up as a Dominican mother, very, very Dominican, doing work every Saturday, listening to a little bit of merengue, and she taught me how to cook. Because you know, a woman who doesn't know how to cook cannot get married. You already know it, imagine that.

It is a pleasure. Gracias a todos ustedes por salir esta noche, y espero que les guste el programa. Le voy a dar las gracias a New York State Latino Restaurant Association, who are our wonderful sponsors. Thank you all. Esa comidita y el alcohol que están bebiendo; gracias. And all the other sponsors and the staff from the Mayor's Office that make sure that we have a good, good, wonderful event. So si ustedes ven alguien que trabaja aquí, por favor, denle las gracias.

Now, it is a pleasure to introduce to you all one of our very own, la primera mujer en esta gran posición, nacida en la República Dominicana; del sitio, del sitio. She is the first Dominican immigrant serving in this role as deputy mayor for Strategic Initiatives. Un fuerte aplauso para Vice Alcaldesa Ana Almanzar.

Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar, Strategic Initiatives: Denise sabe que yo soy chiquita. Buenas noches, mi gente dominicana. Saludos, mi gente hermosa. Let's give a round of applause a una trabajadora incansable, Denise Felipe-Adams. Thank you, Denise.

I am Ana J. Almanzar, orgullosamente dominicana hasta la tambora, and I am the deputy mayor for Strategic Initiatives. Mayor Eric Adams has a deep appreciation of everything we have done to build this beautiful city, and that is why he is hosting one of the largest events here at Gracie Mansion. He visited the Dominican Republic back in 2021 when he first got elected to show his love for our island. He is the first mayor to appoint a Dominican as deputy mayor, and I cannot be more proud.

Los dominicanos somos the largest Latino community in New York City. This is reflected within our administration. We have commissioners, deputy commissioners, executive directors, senior advisors, all from the Dominican Republic and many others from other countries in Latin America. And let's give all of my colleagues who are behind me from the administration a great, great round of applause for their contribution. It is thanks to their commitment to the work that I can stand here today and be named deputy mayor. But it is my responsibility, and it is our colleagues' responsibility, to bring other Dominicans. That is why I am proud to work with two of my fellow Dominicans, Shahira Payano and Maddy Lantigua, who are also here today.

Now, please take a second and look around at this beautiful room and all these wonderful Dominicans who are here from la capital? Who's from la capital? Los cibaeños, ¿dónde están los cibaeños? Let's try this again. ¿Dónde están los de la capital? ¿Los del Cibao? ¿Dónde están los aguiluchos? ¿Dónde están mi gente liceísta? Our community keeps growing as it is our love for this city. And it is now my pleasure to introduce, y como dijo el asambleísta anteriormente, un Dominicano que ha trabajado fuertemente por la comunidad alrededor de toda la ciudad. And now he represents us in Washington, D.C. as the first Dominican member of Congress. Please give a big round of applause for Congressman Adriano Espaillat.

U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat: ¡Buenas noches! Buenas noches a todos los dominicanos que se dan cita aquí hoy en Gracie Mansion. Es una tradición, it's a tradition of the mayor of the City of New York to open his house and bring you all here to celebrate before we march on Avenue of the Americas.

Translation: Good evening! Good evening to all the Dominicans who gather here today at Gracie Mansion. It's a tradition, it's a tradition of the mayor of the City of New York to open his house and bring you all here to celebrate before we march on Avenue of the Americas.

Es una tradición para que el alcalde abre la mansión, de Gracie Mansion, para que todos ustedes se den cita aquí antes del Desfile Dominicano el domingo en la Avenida Las Américas. La Avenida Las Américas la abre, en la calle Canal, la estatua del Insigne Patricio Juan Pablo Duarte, y la cierra, en el Parque Central, las tres estatuas de San Martín, Simón Bolívar y Martí. De manera, que vamos todos a desfilar el domingo para enseñar nuestra cultura, nuestro merengue, nuestra bachata, ahora también nuestro dembow; todo lo que nosotros ofrecemos para esta ciudad y le damos las gracias al alcalde por abrir su puerta esta noche.

Translation: It is a tradition for the mayor to open the Gracie Mansion for all of you to gather here before the Dominican parade on Sunday on Avenue of the Americas. Avenue of the Americas starts on Canal Street by the statue of the distinguished leader Juan Pablo Duarte and it ends at Central Park by the three statues of San Martín, Simón Bolívar and Martí. So we are all going to parade on Sunday to show our culture, our merengue, our bachata, now also our dembow, everything that we offer for this city and we thank the mayor for opening his door tonight.

También queremos felicitar a Cristina Contreras y a la directiva del Desfile Dominicano por todo el trabajo que hacen para asegurar que sea todo un éxito. Lo han hecho tan bien que se está pronosticando sol y calor para el domingo, y queremos también naturalmente decirle esto a ustedes: nuestra comunidad, y si me ponen atención un segundo corto, nuestra comunidad está creciendo y merece más. Nuestra comunidad está avanzando y no tiene límites donde va a llegar. Nuestros hijos hoy son maestros, policías, bomberos; son profesionales, médicos, abogados; están en todas las ramas de cualquier empleo en la ciudad de Nueva York.

Translation: We also want to congratulate Cristina Contreras and the board of directors of the Dominican parade for all the work they do to ensure that it is a success. They have done so well that sun and heat are forecast for Sunday and we also, naturally, want to tell you this. Our community - and if you pay attention to me for a second - our community is growing and deserves more. Our community is moving forward and has no limits to where it can go. Our children today are teachers, police officers, firefighters, they are professionals, doctors, lawyers, they are in all branches of any job in New York City.

Pero tenemos que seguir adelante y ha llegado el momento de elevar la comunidad a otro nivel, y necesitamos de cada uno de ustedes la cooperación y la colaboración. Y lo más importante es que nos mantengamos unidos. Escúcheme, lo más importante es que nos mantengamos unidos. No dejemos dividirnos de voces solitarias e improvisadas y malintencionadas, que desde afuera y desde adentro tratan de dividirnos. Vamos a mantenernos unidos. Esta es la meta para llevar a nuestros hijos, nuestros nietos, a otro sitio donde ellos merecen estar.

Translation: But we have to move forward and the time has come to raise the community to another level and we need cooperation and collaboration from each of you. And the most important thing is that we stay united. Listen to me, the most important thing is that we stick together. Let us not allow ourselves to be divided by lonely, improvised and malicious voices that from without and from within try to divide us. Let's stay united. This is the goal to take our children, our grandchildren to another situation where they deserve to be.

Así que sigan trabajando, sigan esforzándose. Ustedes lo están haciendo muy bien. Los que trabajan de día y noche, pero también las madres solteras que a lo mejor enfrentan una situación difícil, también lo están haciendo muy bien. Los envejecientes que nos han dado la visión para seguir adelante lo han hecho muy bien. Así que, sigan adelante y no nos dejen dividir de nadie, de nadie; ni de adentro ni de afuera.

Translation: So keep working, keep trying. You all are doing very well. Those who work day and night, but also single mothers who may be facing a difficult situation, are also doing very well. The elderly who have not had the vision to move forward have done very well. So keep going and don't let us be divided from anyone, from anyone inside or outside.

Ahora, le quiero hablar es sobre un amigo mío. I want to talk to you about a friend of mine. Él es alguien que se ha destacado, no por sus palabras, sino por sus hechos. Escúchenme un segundito más. Esta persona se ha destacado no por sus palabras, las palabras se las lleva el viento: por sus hechos. Y cuando el Bronx se ve en un tiempo difícil, que necesita empleo, el alcalde de la ciudad de Nueva York aporta 100 millones de dólares para el arsenal de Kingsbridge para construir empleos para nuestra comunidad. Cuando nuestra comunidad se ve sin albergue cultural, el alcalde aporta 10 millones de dólares al centro de estudio dominicano para un centro cultural dominicano.

Translation: Now, I want to tell you about a friend of mine. I want to talk to you about a friend of mine. He is someone who has stood out, not by his words, but by his deeds. Listen to me for a second longer. This person has stood out not for his words, words are carried away by the wind, for his actions. And when the Bronx finds itself in a tough time in need of jobs, the mayor of New York City is contributing $100 million to the Kingsbridge Armory to build jobs for our community. When our community is left without a cultural center, the mayor contributed $10 million to the Dominican study center for a Dominican cultural center.

Y no solo eso, no con sus palabras, con sus hechos, nombró a Wendy García, ¿dónde está Wendy? Que es la vicecomisionada de la Policía. También, naturalmente, a Denise Felipe, que ha sido la maestra de ceremonia. A Sócrates, ¿dónde está Sócrates Solano? También. Que organizó este evento. También queremos destacar que el alcalde nombró a Miosotis Muñoz en la Comisión de Derechos de Inmigrantes. También ha nombrado a Jeffrey García como the 'Nightlife Mayor.' También ha nombrado a nuestro amigo, a nuestro gran amigo, Ydanis Rodríguez, como comisionado de Transporte de la ciudad de Nueva York. Y finalmente, también nombró a la primera vicealcaldesa de origen dominicano, una mujer, la vicealcaldesa Ana Almanza. Así que ayúdenme, ayúdenme a recibir a un hombre que le ha respondido a nuestra comunidad, no con sus palabras, con sus hechos: el alcalde de la ciudad de Nueva York, Eric Adams.

Translation: And not only that, not with his words, with his actions, he named Wendy García, where is Wendy? Who is the deputy commissioner of police. Also, naturally, to Denise Felipe, who was the master of ceremony. To Socrates, where is Socrates Solano? Also, who organized this event. We also want to highlight that the mayor appointed Miosotis Muñoz to the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. He has also named Jeffrey Garcia as the 'Nightlife Mayor.' He has also named our friend, our great friend, Ydanis Rodríguez, as transportation commissioner of the city of New York. And finally he also named the first vice mayor of Dominican origin, a woman, Deputy Mayor Ana Almanza. So help me, help me welcome a man who has responded to our community, not with his words, with his deeds, New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams Love it, love it, love it. Hola, mi gente. You know, think about it for a moment. It was so important to have the lineage of who spoke leading up to me coming and speaking to you. Denise Felipe-Adams, who has been a pioneer in this city, fighting on behalf of Spanish-speaking people for so many years. Then she introduced a true trailblazer in the first Dominican woman, 110 mayors, and we finally got the first Dominican woman to be a deputy mayor in Deputy Mayor Almanza.

And no story touches me more than the story of Congressman Espaillat. Came to this country and sat in the classroom not understanding English, not understanding what his teachers were saying, and he sat there dedicated and committed, pursuing a level of excellence that really can't be duplicated when you look at those who have rose to the levels that he is. And this brother, his commitment and dedication became a voice for the Dominican people and for Spanish-speaking people all across the entire globe. And we need to really acknowledge his presence, his dedication, his commitment, and his resiliency. This is the true American story and Congressman Espaillat, my brother.

And he gave you a lineup. He gave you a lineup of those who are in my administration. Yes, they may be Dominican. Yes, they may be Dominican and Puerto Rican. Yes, they may be Peruvian. Yes, they may be Spanish-speaking, but they're not there merely because of the origin or the place of their lineage. They're there because they bring the best that understand in order to help people who are going through a lot, you have to be someone that has gone through a lot. Commissioner Mayuga, this sister here has changed the game with deliveristas. She has moved up the payment of those low-wage employees so they can make money enough to stay in this city.

My brother Jeff Garcia, when I campaigned, we used to go to Dominican restaurants, Dominican nightclubs, Dominican establishments, and they used to be harassed by the Police Department. They used to be taunted and fined. We decided to put a brother that understood the entertainment community. Now he's our 'Nightlife Mayor' making it happen. And then when I was a police officer, there was this Hispanic brother, Puerto Rican brother, that fought for Spanish-speakers to come into the Police Department and move up through the ranks. I reached out and got his son to be elevated to be the police commissioner of the city of New York in Eddie Caban.

And let me tell you something, no matter who you are, you love your mothers. And we had to make sure we had a woman that understood what our mothers are going through and how they receive the service that they deserve, our older adults. And we could not have found anyone better than Commissioner Cortés-Vásquez, who's in charge of the Department of Aging. So when you see my administration, not only do you see the diversity, but you see the intelligence to make it happen. And everybody knows I was born and my family, I'm born in Brooklyn. My family's from Alabama, but I'm Dominican, baby.

You know, you are 900,000 strong. Think about that for a moment. 900,000 strong. You decide who will be the mayor. You decide who will be the citywide elected. You decide which way we're going to go. You decide who's the congressman and who are the local electors in the city. You have the power to determine the self-determination of this entire city. And we have some amazing electeds that's here that come from the Spanish-speaking community that we must acknowledge. My brother George Alvarez, who's doing it the right way. My amazing sister, Assemblywoman Tapia, always on the front line fighting on behalf of the community. Brother Manny De Los Santos, Assembly District 72. And I know she's here somewhere. Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa. And we even got New Jersey in the house, Councilman Alex Mendez.

And my solid, across the city, leading, always lady in red, I think she's Dominican, too, Jenifer Rajkumar, assemblywoman. And so to all of them, we have so much work to do. We have to make sure we elect VP Harris to be the president of the United States. We have to ensure we forge ahead to take back the Congress, hold on to the Senate, and stop the erosions of our rights that we're seeing in the Supreme Court.

We have so much to do to protect the rights of women, rights to choose. We have so much to do to ensure that this city and country is a place that's open and inviting to all that come here so they can move forward as they want to. So I thank you, my Dominican brothers and sisters. And I say to you over and over, viva la Repéblica Dominicana. Let's stay strong. We are going to have so much fun marching this weekend on Avenue of Americas and showing the pride of the Dominican community. Thank you so much.

Jeffrey Garcia, Executive Director, Office of Nightlife: Bueno, señores, ¿dónde están los dominicanos? Vamos a darle las gracias a nuestro primer alcalde dominicano, Eric Adams.

Translation: Well, gentlemen, where are the Dominicans? Let's give thanks to our first Dominican mayor, Eric Adams.

Mayor Adams: You know, just before we leave, come on, counsel general, come on up. This has been our counsel general. He's departing, he's getting ready to leave. And from the time I came in office, he has been my brother. We're going to miss you, but we will be in the Dominican Republic smoking a cigar and drinking some Tito's, so we'll enjoy it with him. If you haven't said a few words, say a few words to your constituents.

Consul General Eligio Antonio Jáquez Cruz, Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New York: Yo empecé con una breve exposición ahorita. Les participo que en 15 días concluya mi misión en la ciudad de Nueva York. Y me voy muy complacido de ver la vitalidad, la energía, la iniciativa, la resiliencia que tiene la comunidad dominicana aquí. Satisfecho de haber podido participar en muchos eventos deportivos, culturales, de cualquier género. Donde quiera que estemos, estaremos a las órdenes de cada uno de ustedes, para que podamos decir siempre que viva la República Dominicana.

Translation: I started with a brief presentation now. I inform you that in 15 days, I will conclude my mission in New York City. And I am very pleased to see the vitality, the energy, the initiative, the resilience that the Dominican community has here. I am satisfied with having been able to participate in many sporting and cultural events of any kind. Wherever we are, we will be at the service of each one of you, so that we can always say long live the Dominican Republic.

Mayor Adams: Before we give our honorees, we want to show our love to our brother, Councilman Mendez, from across the water, New Jersey, one region. Come on, Councilman.

Paterson, New Jersey Council President Alex Mendez: Thank you, thank you, thank you, mayor.

¡Que viva la República Dominicana! Vamos a dar un fuerte aplauso al mejor alcalde que ha tenido la ciudad de Nueva York, Mayor Adams. Gracias, alcalde. Gracias al congresista Adriano Espaillat que ha abierto la puerta enseñando en Washington para todos los dominicanos. Y este gran alcalde, que nos ha abierto la puerta en esta gran nación. En la unión está la fuerza. Y estamos enseñando que los dominicanos seguimos creciendo, atendiendo a las mejores universidades, atendiendo a las diferentes posiciones. Y como lo dijo nuestro congresista Adriano Espaillat: vamos a apoyar lo nuestro y vamos a seguir unidos. Felicidades a nuestros mayores. Yo sé que va a ser reelecto nuevamente. ¡Y que viva la República Dominicana. Desde New Jersey, concejal y presidente del Consejo Municipal, Alex Mendez. Thank you, mayor, so very much.

Translation: Long live the Dominican Republic! Let's give a big round of applause to the best mayor New York City has ever had, Mayor Adams. Thank you, mayor. Thanks to Congressman Adriano Espaillat who has opened the door teaching in Washington for all Dominicans. And this great mayor, who has not opened the door in this great nation. The strength is in the joining. And we are teaching that Dominicans continue to grow, attending the best universities, attending to different positions. And as our Congressman Adriano Espaillat said, we are going to support what is ours and we are going to remain united. Congratulations to the mayor. I know he will be re-elected again. And long live the Dominican Republic. From New Jersey, council member and president of the City Council, Alex Mendez. Thank you, mayor, so very much.

Mayor Adams: We want to thank our sponsors, New York State Latino Restaurant Association. And I see my brother George Hulse here, always here to sponsor us. Thank you, brother. Let's give out, let's honor, let's honor. Okay. And we also have got Assemblymember Dais is also here as well. Good to see you. Okay, let's give out our honorees, let's show some love for our honorees.

Garcia: Bueno. Boss, real quick, I just have to say congratulations to me and my wife. Our 10 year anniversary is today. And before I get, you know, beat up. So, love you, happy anniversary to 10 more and beyond.

Bueno, señores, hoy vamos a reconocer varias personas de nuestra comunidad, que toditos reconocemos, nos han afectado de una manera otra durante nuestra vida. Entonces, hoy los vamos a reconocer aquí con el alcalde Eric Adams.

Translation: Well, gentlemen, today we are going to recognize several people in our community that we all recognize have affected us in one way or another during our lives. So today we're going to recognize you here with Mayor Eric Adams.

El primero que vamos a reconocer es La Gran Manzana. La Gran Manzana was a band renowned for Latin group and their vibrant performances and energetic merengue rhythms. Originating from New York City, they captivated audiences with their unique blend of traditional and contemporary Latin sounds for over 40 years. Over the years, La Gran Manzana has become a staple in the Latin community, earning a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades. We want to recognize Victor Roque. Vamos, señores, aplaudir, aplaudir. Que muchos de ustedes bailaron con esa música.

Translation: The first person we are going to recognize is La Gran Manzana. La Gran Manzana was a band renowned for Latin group and their vibrant performances and energetic merengue rhythms. Originating from New York City, they captivated audiences with their unique blend of traditional and contemporary Latin sounds for over 40 years. Over the years, La Gran Manzana has become a staple in the Latin community, earning a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades. We want to recognize Victor Roque. Come on, gentlemen, clap, clap. Many of you danced to that music.

Victor Roque: Rapidito, tengo un minuto. Señores, yo vine a este país en el 1967, tengo 63 años, y ver esto, para mí, es una transformación emocional, porque mi madre, analfabeta, cogía welfare, cogía Medicaid, cupones, tratando de echar hacia adelante a tus hijos en el Bronx. Ella iba a comprar una ropa en Alexander, una tienda en el Bronx, y me asaltaban. No podíamos porque había una situación muy difícil desde los años 70 a los 80.

Translation: Quick, I have a minute. Gentlemen, I came to this country in 1967, I am 63 years old and seeing this for me is an emotional transformation, because my illiterate mother was on welfare, on Medicaid, on coupons, trying to raise her children in the Bronx. She was going to buy clothes at Alexander, a store in the Bronx, and they mugged me. We couldn't because there was a very difficult situation from the 70s to the 80s.

Hoy, cuando hicimos La Gran Manzana junto a Henry Hierro, ver madres que pueden criar sus hijos con todo, y que tenemos situaciones con las redes sociales, pero no, hoy en día, la juventud de hoy es sana, porque nosotros no teníamos la oportunidad que tiene la madre soltera hoy de tener esta oportunidad en la ciudad. Yo quiero decir a ustedes que esto vale la pena, ese es el reconocimiento. Un aplauso a esta ciudad, a estos dominicanos que hoy nos honran de verdad. Yo nunca en mi vida pensé, nunca en mi vida me imaginé, que iba a irme de Nueva York y hoy ver. Un aplauso a este hombre, señores. Qué valor tiene el tíguere. ¡Gracias!

Translation: When we made La Gran Manzana with Henry Hierro, seeing mothers who can raise their children with everything and that we have situations with social networks, but today's youth is not healthy, because we did not have the opportunity that they have the single mother today to have this opportunity in the city. I want to tell you that this is worth it, that is the recognition. A round of applause to this city, to these Dominicans who truly honor us today. I never in my life thought, never in my life did I imagine that I was going to leave New York and see today. Applause for this man, gentlemen. How strong are the tigueres? Thank you!

Garcia: Gracias. Otro aplauso a Victor Roque y La Gran Manzana. Bueno, señores, ahora también tengo el honor de reconocer, o tenemos el honor de reconocer, a Cristina Contreras.

Translation: Thank you. Another applause for Victor Roque and La Gran Manzana. Well, gentlemen, now I also have the honor of recognizing, or we have the honor of recognizing, Cristina Contreras.

Cristina Contreras is a healthcare executive and community leader for her significant contributions to public health in New York City. As the chief executive of the New York Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, she has been instrumental in transforming East Harlem facility into a model of excellence within the country's largest municipal healthcare. Her leadership extends beyond healthcare as she serves as the chair of the National Dominican Day Parade and highlighting her commitment to community engagement and cultural celebration. Y vamos a celebrar nuestra Dominicanidad con ella el domingo. Cristina Contreras.

Cristina Contreras, CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan: Okay, mi gente. ¿Cómo están? Quiero darle la gracia a nuestro Mayor Eric Adams y su administración porque como dice nuestro Congresista Adriano Espaillat, representation matters, right?

Translation: Okay, my people. How are they? I want to thank our mayor, Eric Adams, and his administration because as our congressman, Adriano Espaillat says, representation matters, right?

It's an honor for me to be the president of the National Dominican Day Parade and have the honor to uplift our culture and our contributions in this country. And thank you to my board members that are here for all the great work. Can you applaud them, please? Do you think that we do a great job? Do we represent you well? I want to see all of you on Sunday representing what we stand for and making sure that people know that we are together representing and supporting each other and what we stand for in this country. Thank you very much. It's a pleasure for me. Thank you.

Garcia: Bueno, señores. Ahora vamos a reconocer a una dominicana. Celines Toribio es una actriz dominicana, un modelo de televisión, una personalidad. Ha hecho trabajo en inglés y en media en español. Ella ha estado en varios shows, incluyendo Sabor a Béisbol, ESPN Deportes y en varias películas como Trópico de Sangre con Michelle Rodríguez. Toribio es reconocida por su trabajo filantrópico y trabajo motivacional de hablar en la comunidad latina. También ha producido 7 películas, ha actuado en 16 más películas y ahora recientemente va a ser directora de cine. Vamos a reconocer a nuestra dominicana Celines Toribio.

Translation: Well, gentlemen. Now we are going to recognize a Dominican. Celines Toribio is a Dominican actress, a television model, a personality. She has done work in English and on media in Spanish. She has been in several shows, including Sabor a Béisbol, ESPN Deportes and in several films such as Tropico de Sangre with Michelle Rodríguez. Toribio is recognized for her philanthropic work and motivational speaking work in the Latino community. She has also produced 7 films, acted in 16 more films and is now recently going to be a film director. Let's recognize our Dominican Celines Toribio.

Celines Toribio: Buenas noches. ¡Que viva la República Dominicana! Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. It's an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of all the women from the Dominican Republic.

Representando a la mujer dominicana, la que trabaja, la que lucha, la que tiene poder de compra, la que se apoya una a la otra, la que ama del corazón y la que es más poderosa que nunca. ¡Que viva la República Dominicana y que vivan las mujeres de República Dominicana! Muchas gracias.

Translation: Representing the Dominican woman, the one who works, the one who fights, the one who has purchasing power, the one who supports each other, the one who loves from the heart and the one who is more powerful than ever. Long live the Dominican Republic and long live the women of the Dominican Republic! Thank you so much.

Garcia: ¡Muchas gracias, Celines. Bueno, ahora vamos a reconocer a un individuo that is very near and dear to me because not only are we recognizing him here today, he's also a friend, someone I've worked with, someone I also ride bike with sometimes at 6 in the morning. Let me tell you a little bit about him. Hector Taveras, born in Santiago de los Caballeros, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12. He spent 14 years working alongside his father at Lino Press, New York's first and largest Latino printing company, where he now serves as a chief operating officer. Hector's journey from aspiring civil engineer to a passionate sales professional highlights his dedication to community, service, and his impactful career in the printing industry. I also want to bring up with him his dad, Franklin Nunez, from Lino Press.

Hector Taveras, COO, Lino Press: Buenas noches, ¡que viva la República Dominicana! Solamente quiero decir gracias al mayor, gracias a todos ustedes por el apoyo que nos brindan cada día. A mi papá, quiero seguir el legado de Lino Press. Y nada, gracias, gracias, gracias a todos por el apoyo. Buenas noches.

Translation: Good evening, long live the Dominican Republic! I just want to say thank you to the mayor, thank you to all of you for the support you give us every day. To my dad, I want to continue the legacy of Lino Press. And nothing, thank you, thank you, thank you all for the support. Good night.

Franklin Nunez, Founder, Lino Press: Buenas noches, dominicanos. Yo creo que aquí no hay muchos dominicanos. Tengo algo que decirles. El legado de Lino Press lo va a continuar mi hijo Héctor, y yo creo que del año 1994 no lo hemos hecho mal. Yo creo que Lino Press es una imprenta de la comunidad tan dominicana como todos los que están aquí. ¡Que viva la República Dominicana!

Translation: Good evening, Dominicans. I think there are not many Dominicans here. I have something to tell you. The legacy of Lino Press will be continued by my son Hector, and I believe that since 1994 we have not done badly. I believe that Lino Press is a community printing press that is as Dominican as everyone else here. Long live the Dominican Republic!

Garcia: Gracias, Franklin y Hector, y a ese tremendo negocio de Lino Press. Bueno, señores, ahora vamos a reconocer una mayimba de verdad.

Translation: Thank you, Franklin and Hector, and that tremendous business at Lino Press. Well, gentlemen, now we are going to recognize a real mayimba.

Milly Quezada, known as the Queen of Merengue, is celebrated for her significant contributions to merengue music. She has won four Latin Grammy Awards and has been a prominent figure in the Latin music scene for over 45 years. Milly's music and vibrant performances have earned her international acclaim and numerous accolades. ¡Millie Quesada, señores! ¡Aplausos! ¡Aplausos!

[Milly Quezada performs.]

Garcia: Wow! Eso fue una sorpresa buena. Uno más, uno más. Bueno, señores, muchas gracias por venir esta noche. Nos vemos el domingo y sigan gozando. ¡Nuestros dominicanos!

Translation: Wow! That was a good surprise. One more, one more. Well, gentlemen, thank you very much for coming tonight. See you on Sunday and keep having fun. Our Dominicans!

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