July 12, 2004

Legislator Alvarado Honors Local Representative of the Dominican Republic

On July 12, Westchester County Legislator Jose I. Alvarado (D-WF, Yonkers) paid tribute to Alejandrina German Mejia of the Dominican Republic, representative of newly elected Dominican President Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna. Mrs. German Mejia is a distinguished educator and a prominent member of the "Comite Politico" of the Dominican Liberation Party, which won the recent May election with 67% of the vote.

Board Chairman William Ryan (D-WF, White Plains) welcomed Mrs. German Mejia and her delegation, noting that the Dominican Republic is one of the countries that allows dual citizenship. "Quite a system." said Ryan. "U.S. citizens from the Dominican Republic can vote for both the Presidents of the United States and the Dominican Republic, making voters doubly important."

Alvarado expressed hope for continued good relations between the two countries. "Here in Westchester County we have some 13,000 natives of the Dominican Republic who significantly contribute to the life and fabric of the county," noted Alvarado.