On the evening before the 209th anniversary of the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, the founder of the Dominican Republic, the court chambers of West New York’s Town Hall was filled with young dancers who performed la mangulina dressed in traditional blue, white, and red skirts. Three Dominican residents and their families were there to be honored by the town for their outstanding service to the community, and no fewer than seven young beauty queens were present from the Dominican-American Parade of Hudson County.
West New York’s residents are 60 percent Dominican, according to Commissioner of Public Affairs FiorD’Aliza Frias, who is herself Dominican, as are Commissioner Ruben Vargas and Superintendent of Schools John Fauta.
“Nowhere is the Dominican community prouder than here in West New York.” –FiorD’Aliza Frias
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“West New York is the first community to have two Dominican commissioners representing us,” President of El Colegio Dominicano Periodistas and Master of Ceremony Juan Dominguez announced in Spanish. “And we are proud to have a friend – a brother – like Dr. Roque on our side.”
Roque’s two sons are half Dominican, and he studied medicine in Santo Domingo years ago. “I owe them my education,” he said. “El honor no es de nacimiento, es de sentimiento,” he continued, which means that even though he was not born Dominican, he is honored by the sentimental association.
Juan Pablo Duarte, ‘Visionario’
“Tengo mariposas en el estómago,” Frias said, explaining she had butterflies in her stomach because “this is the first time I’m able to honor my country in this way.”
She told the story of Juan Pablo Duarte, a “visionary” who helped to found the Dominican Republic in 1844 and free the area from Haitian rule. Because Duarte faced many challenges presented by those holding conservative political beliefs, he became a sort of martyr for future generations of Dominicans. His ideas laid the foundation for the Dominican governments that followed.
In this way, Frias said, Duarte serves as an inspiration to both herself and to residents of the city of West New York as they face their own daily cultural challenges.
“Historically, we are a prosperous and strong society,” she said in Spanish, “and nowhere is the Dominican community prouder than here in West New York.”
She followed by exclaiming,“Viva la República Dominicana,” or, “Long live the Dominican Republic,” and the audience echoed an enthusiastic “Viva!”
Honoring resident visionaries
Roque, Frias, and the Board of Commissioners handed out three Juan Pablo Duarte Awards.
The Dominican Merchant of the Year Award went to resident Jose Antonio Rosa Jimenez, owner of La Familia Restaurant on 235 58th St. for two years, for his flourishing business and his willingness to “lend a hand at any time,” Roque said. Jimenez has donated food to the community and to the town on many occasions, including the buffet spread available to those who attended the ceremony that evening.
“We are proud to have such a distinguished business in West New York that helps to build up our town and our community,” Roque said.
Commissioner of the West New York Housing Authority Margarita Guzman, who has lived in and served the town for 25 years, was honored with the Community Service Award.
“She has selflessly helped residents through her community service for many years,” Roque said, by providing clothes and beds and aid paying bills to West New Yorkers during tough times. “Every time we need her, she’s there.”
“Es un honor inmenso,” Guzman said, adding she would always be committed to working hard for her family and her city.
Finally, a proclamation of appreciation was issued to Julio Molyneaux, who was honored for 15 years of service to the community and for his two successful pharmacies, one in West New York, and the other in Union City. Molyneaux also serves as president of El Desfile Hispano de NJ (the Hispanic Parade).
“I hope to continue to serve the Hispanic community as best I can,” Molyneaux said.
“We honor our town’s many nationalities and must work together for a better life,” Roque concluded. “Our future is more beautiful when our young people know the sacrifices our ancestors made that brought us here, together.”
Gennarose Pope may be reached at gpope@hudsonreporter.com