Today, Representatives Adriano Espaillat, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statements on the passage of their legislation.
The legislation to rename the United States Postal Service facility at 511 West 165th Street in New York, New York, as the “Normandia Maldonado Post Office Building,” in recognition of the late community organizer, cultural pioneer, and activist.
Espaillat said: “Ms. Maldonado was a true pioneer – she advanced and elevated the Dominican culture tenfold through her creative work, activism, and community organizing. Her fingerprints can be found across the diaspora – and, especially in New York City, where her memory still looms and her work continues to flourish and inspire. As an organizer, she was instrumental in erecting the statue of Juan Pablo Duarte statue in New York City, which stands as an eternal reminder of the sacrifices made during the island nation’s quest for independence. She was also a driving force behind the Dominican diaspora’s ascent within the cultural landscape of music, dance, and film. Centro Cultural Ballet Quisqueya, which she started in the late 1960s, continues to share and recognize Dominican culture and folkloric music. Now, with the renaming of the post office off 165th street, I am certain Ms. Normandia Maldonado’s achievements and legacy will continue to inspire the people of New York City and the greater Dominican diaspora.”
Schumer said: ““Normandia Maldonado was a tireless community activist and organizer who devoted her life to sharing the rich cultural heritage of Dominican people. She showcased the accomplishments of Dominicans in the arts and public life through the Cassandra Damirón Hall of Fame; she fought for the Juan Pablo Duarte statue; and she helped establish the Dominican Day Parade. Ms. Maldonado relentlessly pursued her dreams and ideas for the Dominican American community and her work created a great sense of pride among Dominicans here in New York. Ms. Maldonado’s legacy lives on in New York City through the vibrant Dominican American community and the renaming of the Manhattan post office at 511 W 165th Street in her honor is a fitting tribute to her profound life and impact.”
Gillibrand said: “Normandia Maldonado is a true giant among New Yorkers. A Dominican visionary, she dared to inspire her community to dream bigger, to celebrate all that binds us together, and to use the arts as a tool to empower Dominicans across the diaspora here in New York and back on the island. I am proud to celebrate this recognition in the community she once called home.”
First elected to Congress in 2016, Rep. Adriano Espaillat is serving his second term in Congress where he serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Small Business Committee.
He serves as a Senior Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) where he also serves in a leadership role as CHC Whip.
He is also chairman of the CHC Task Force for Transportation, Infrastructure and Housing.
Rep. Espaillat’s Congressional District includes Harlem, East Harlem, northern Manhattan and the north-west Bronx. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.
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