; Whereas it is appropriate that the United States reserve the period between January 21 to February 27 to celebrate and honor Dominican heritage; Whereas it would be befitting to celebrate Dominican heritage beginning on January 21, The Day of the Procession of Altagracia, the Dominican Republic’s most important religious celebration; Whereas it would also be befitting to end the period of Dominican heritage on February 27, the Dominican Republic’s Independence Day; Whereas it would give the Nation the opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the economic, cultural, and social contributions Dominican-Americans have made to the United States; and Whereas it would also give the Nation an opportunity to consider the many Dominican achievements, on the island and in the United States: Now, therefore, be it