FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #062-00
Tuesday, February 22, 2000

Release #062-00

MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL THAT NAMES SECTION OF
ST. NICHOLAS AVENUE IN HONOR OF JUAN PABLO DUARTE

Remarks By Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani At Public Hearing On Local Laws

The next bill before me is Introductory Number 659, sponsored by Council Members Linares, Berman, Carrion, Clarke and Dear. This legislation would add the name "Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard" to St. Nicholas Avenue beginning at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue with Amsterdam Avenue and West 162nd Street,
and ending at the intersection of West 193rd Street and Fort George Hill, in Manhattan.

Juan Pablo Duarte was born in Santo Domingo on January 26, 1813 and is considered to be the "Founding Father of the Dominican Republic." During his early years he studied in Spain. Upon his return to the Dominican Republic, he found that young Dominicans were resentful of Haitian rule.

In response to this unrest, he organized a movement in opposition to foreign control. Throughout his life, despite numerous times in exile, he continued his fight for Dominican independence. The nation won independence from Haiti in 1844. Juan Pablo Duarte died in 1876.

Therefore, it is fitting that this area of Manhattan, in the heart of one of New York City's largest Dominican communities, be named "Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard."

For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.

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