Congressman Adriano Espaillat Leads U.S. Delegation to the Dominican Republic to Address Climate Resiliency

SANTO DOMINGO, DR― This week, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) led a delegation from the United States to the Dominican Republic to address climate resiliency in the face of climate change throughout the region. 

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and the Minister of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, Joel Santos Echavarría held a press conference at the National Palace, where Espaillat announced the endowment to the Dominican Republic of two fully equipped fire trucks and two garbage collection trucks obtained in collaboration with the New York City Mayor's Office and the Dominican Consulate in New York.  

To address issues of public infrastructure and transportation vulnerability amid climate change and the subsequent impact during high rainy seasons that cause flooding, the delegation—consisting of New York federal, state, and city elected officials— met with the independent commission of experts, chaired by geologist Osiris de León, which was created by Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, to supervise the country's large infrastructure works (tunnels, highways, bridges), following the collapse of several walls of the overpass on Máximo Gómez and 27 de Febrero avenues due to rain, which occurred in November and led to the death of nine people. 

The meeting was also attended by, among other public officials, the Minister of Public Works, Deligne Ascención Burgos, and Ángel Vázquez, representing New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. 

“After evaluating the ways in which we could help the Dominican Republic in the face of the challenges caused by climate change,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat, “the commission agreed to present a proposal that could be signed between the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul and the Dominican Republic, to address the collaboration of professional, financial, and technology resources to assist with natural disasters and help mitigate their impact on the country.” 

Espaillat presented his legislative efforts on climate matters and shared his insights from two United Nations conferences on Climate Change, COP26 held in Glasgow and COP27 held in Egypt, in which he participated as a member of the delegation from the United States. 

“We must all unite in one voice to combat climate change and we are willing to support the Dominican Republic in its efforts to mitigate damage and increase its resilience in the face of the intensification of atmospheric phenomena that have already caused damage to the country’s infrastructure and unfortunate tragedies,” said Espaillat.

Additional members of the Espaillat led delegation include:  New York State Assembly members Manny De Los Santos, George Álvarez and Yudelka Tapia; New York City Council members Karines Reyes, Oswald Feliz and Marjorie Velázquez, as well as Dr. Ramona Hernández, director of the Institute of Dominican Studies at CUNY, and Dr. Rafael Lantigua, associate director of the Taub Institute for Medical Research at Columbia University. 

On Monday, the delegation met with the president of the Dominican Republic, the Honorable Luis Abinader, at the National Palace. 

As part of the delegation’s visit, Dr. Ramona Hernández presented to the Dominican Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as to public and private universities in the country, the map of the Dominican Historic District proposed for Washington Heights, which represents a significant Dominican constituency in New York. The 73 notable locations within the proposed Dominican Historic District include schools, businesses, streets and churches with Dominican origins and history. Upper Manhattan venues like the Quisqueya Playground, Audubon Ballroom, Club Deportivo Dominicano, and more are marked among historic Dominican sites. 

“This delegation trip is an opportunity to help further strengthen relations between the United States and the Dominican Republic by addressing issues and challenges facing the Dominican community related to economic development, health, immigration, education, security, business and the economy,” Espaillat said.