President Fernández Meets Dominicans Living in Illinois

President Fernández Meets Dominicans Living in Illinois
Chicago, Illinois 10/05/2010

Dominican President Leonel Fernández held a meeting with Dominican residents of Illinois with whom he discussed his government’s interest in developing human resources in the Dominican Republic to help the country continue advancing.

“If we have trained and educated people we can create new areas of production and larger volumes of wealth that will translate into ways of reducing poverty in the Dominican Republic…this is where I am counting on you,”

“If we have trained and educated people we can create new areas of production and larger volumes of wealth that will translate into ways of reducing poverty in the Dominican Republic…this is where I am counting on you,” as reported by the President’s Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

The President exhorted Dominicans living in the Diaspora to make an effort to get trained and educated and not to disconnect from the technological changes and advances going on around the world. He explained that this will allow Dominicans living in the United States to integrate into the processes of change and development the Dominican government needs and is seeking for the country. 

Dominican Consul General Giselle Castillo also spoke at the event, organized by the Dominican Consulate in Chicago. She welcomed the President and praised the hard work and tenacity of the Dominican community in the state of Illinois.

President Fernández Throws the First Pitch in the Game between Chicago and Cleveland
In another activity in the capital of Illinois, President Fernández threw the first ball of the Big League game between the Chicago White Socks and the Cleveland Indians.

The game was being played at the U.S. Cellular Stadium, home of the White Socks.  Dominican pitcher, Tony Peña Jr. was in charge of the President’s first pitch.
Fernández was also received by White Socks owner Jerry Rindorf and manager Ozzy Guillen, from Venezuela.

Before the pitch, Fernández animatedly exchanged impressions with the Dominican players from both teams including Rafael Pérez, Fausto Carmona, Andy Martes, Alejandro de Aza, Tony Peña Jr. and Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta.

Later the Dominican President signed autographs for some of the American children who asked for his signature on their baseballs, hats or other sporting goods.
The Dominican Head of State will return on Sunday night to the San Isidro Air Base after an intense trip to various US cities.