Dear Dominican brothers and sisters, I wish you happiness and joy, on the 180th Anniversary of the Dominican Independence.

My sincere gratitude goes to the women and men who fought for the independence of our nation. Today, Dominicans celebrate the great privilege of self-governance. Thanks to this liberation, millions of Dominicans are free to travel.

Those of us who live in the diaspora, especially in the United States, are deeply grateful for the freedom and opportunities made possible by our beloved Dominican ancestors’ sacrifices generations ago.

One of those opportunities is the ability to get a good education. This was my parents’ dream; they struggled to ensure that their 11 children received a good education. They hoped that their children would distinguish themselves in their communities. When we work together, we contribute to the independence of a nation, as was done by the Dominican liberators, Duarte, Sanchez, and Mella.

Today, thanks to our parents, our communities celebrate social, cultural, and economic progress.

If your goal is to provide a good education for your children, do it now. A good education provides social advancement and good employment opportunities, leading to success for all of us, everywhere.

Let us celebrate Dominican Independence by pursuing a good education. Remember that “the duty of the people is to sever the yoke [of tyranny].” Pamphlet of Tomás Bobadilla, 27 February 1844. This can be accomplished with a good education.

Happy 27th of February, Dominican Independence Day.