The Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR) held its 6th Annual "Dominicans on the Hill" Legislative and Policy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Wednesday May 14, 2008.

This year the DANR had great success as it took its message of national advocacy on behalf of the Dominican community to members of Congress. The DANR Legislative Day convened DANR members and community leaders to meet with members of Congress to discuss the importance of supporting a legislative agenda that takes into consideration the needs of Dominicans and Latinos. The day included a legislative breakfast sponsored by Americans for a Safe Retirement, meetings with members of Congress and a Senate Reception.

Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ) and DANR President Victor Capellan with Board Members Cid Wilson and Luis Guzman during the Senate reception.

This year DANR honored Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Rep. Hilda Solis (CA) as well as Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) for their work on behalf of the Dominican-American Community.

During the Sixth Annual Legislative and Policy Day, the DANR discussed with key members of Congress important issues to Dominican Americans, such as immigration reform, education, the upcoming 2010 Census, healthcare, economic empowerment, civil rights, and humanitarian support for the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

"This year DANR reached a new milestone in its advocacy work in reaching the bi-partisan delegation of Congress who met with us throughout the day providing us with support for those legislations as outlined in our 2008 Legislative Priorities," said Victor Capellan, President of the DANR. "Engaging our members of Congress is the best way to flex our rights as citizens and our power as a national community. We will continue to pressure Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform as well as education and civil rights legislation that is fair and just for underrepresented communities."

"Today the Dominican-American community is present in all 50 states and therefore we must ensure that Congress addresses the needs of this growing constituency," said Alejandra Castillo, Chair of DANR Legislative Affairs in Washington, DC. "DANR is a strong advocate for Latinos and communities of color throughout the U.S. We want to ensure that the upcoming 2010 Census provides an accurate and fair counting of our Latino population and ensure that Dominicans are not once again undercounted in this process by the U.S. Census as we were in the 2000 Census," said Ms. Castillo.

Based on U.S. Census data, DANR strongly believes that the 2000 Census made a gross numerical misreporting and undercounting as to the number of Dominicans living in the U.S. As we prepare for the 2010 Census, the DANR is committed to ensure that such mistakes do not happen again. DANR is actively advocating for Dominicans to be afforded a separate stand alone box on the Census form as is the case for Mexicans, Cubans and Puerto Ricans. Currently, Dominicans are categorized as "Other" which has been a major source of the disproportionate undercount of Dominican Americans.

The following members of Congress participated in the DANR 6th Annual "Dominicans on the Hill" Legislative and Policy Day:

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and the DANR delegation from Rhode Island.

United States Senate

• Senator Robert Menendez (New Jersey)
• Senator Jack Reed (Rhode Island)
• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island)
• Office of Senator Bill Nelson (Florida)
• Office of Hillary Rodham-Clinton (New York)
• Office of Charles Schumer (New York)

U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Gary Ackerman (New York)
• Rep. Robert Andrews (New Jersey)
• Rep. Joseph Crowley (New York)
• Rep. Eliot Engel (New York)
• Rep. Luis Fortuño (Puerto Rico)
• Rep. Luis Gutierrez (Illinois)
• Rep. James Langevin (Rhode Island)
• Rep. William Pascrell (New Jersey)
• Rep. Charles Rangel (New York)
• Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Florida)
• Rep. Steve Rothman (New Jersey)
• Rep. Jose Serrano (New York)
• Rep. Albio Sires (New Jersey)
• Rep. Hilda Solis (California)
• Rep. Anthony Weiner (New York)
• Office of Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Illinois)

The DANR wishes to thank the following members of Congress for their support of the DANR 6th Annual "Dominicans on the Hill" Legislative Day on Capitol Hill.

• Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (California)
• Office of Senator Mel Martinez (Florida)
• Office of Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Florida)
• Office of Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (Florida)
• Office of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Florida)
• Office of Rep. Joe Baca (California)
• Office of Rep. John Tierney (Massachusetts)
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Congressional Hispanic Conference
• Congressional Black Caucus

About the DANR

"Today the Dominican-American community is present in all 50 states and therefore we must ensure that Congress addresses the needs of this growing constituency,"

The DANR 11th Annual National Conference will take place October 10-12, 2008 in Providence, RI.

Rep. Charles Rangel (NY) giving his remarks during the DANR 6th Annual Dominicans On The Hill Legislative and Policy Day.