FUNGLODE/GFDD President, Dr. Leonel Fernández, congratulates young Estiven Rodríguez, a source of Dominican pride in the United States

The President of the United States, Barack Obama has  recognized the hard work and dedication of young Dominican Estiven Rodríguez, who came to America at the age of  nine with limited knowledge of English, and who, through sheer effort, determination and commitment, has managed to make it to the end of high school and is heading off to college.

President Obama, who made the remarks in the framework of the State of the Union Address at the U.S.
Capitol on January 28, 2014, said that Rodríguez "could not speak any English when he moved to New York City at the age of nine, but, last month, thanks to the support of remarkable teachers and an innovative academic program, he paved the way for his success –to the delight of his parents and neighbors- via his high school,  and went to the post office, where he mailed his college application. This son of a industrious factory worker is now on his way to college in the
fall."

This recognition filled the sizeable Dominican community living in New York, and all Dominicans in general, with a sense of pride. This momentous occasion, celebrated by overjoyed Dominicans, was an opportune moment for the Country’s former President Dr. Leonel
Fernández to congratulate young Estiven Rodríguez during an emotional telephone conversation last Friday, February 7, 2014, for being the first Dominican national to receive a special tribute in a speech by a President of the United States.

Rodríguez explained to President Fernández the process of being selected to be part of the front-row delegation and talked about his experience visiting the White House and socializing with great figures of American political life,
including the US President Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Filled with emotion, young Rodríguez said; "my parents came to the United States to seek a better life for my brother and me. They sacrificed everything for us and I felt that I had to do my best for them to be proud of me, but never imagined that I would get to the White House and have the opportunity to bring the name of my country to such a high level."

After the phone
conversation, Estiven shared with the GFDD team some comments that were recorded to capture the wonderful story in which 17 year-old had the occasion to be seen and recognized by President Obama before millions of people, and to represent and highlight the quality and capacity of the Dominican Diaspora.

Estiven was accompanied by the Principal of the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHELS), Mr. Brett Kimmel, who works tirelessly in the interests of
increasing educational opportunities of Hispanic youth.

Estiven Rodríguez is now in his final year at WHELS.

Related Links:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/uptown/
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/01/
http://rangel.house.gov/press-release/
http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/01/
http://www.possefoundation.org/news/detail/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arhBRouSmWs