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Senate pauses to honor Dominicans in Albany and mourn victims of Santo Domingo nightclub fire
Summary
The New York State Senate adopted a resolution honoring Dominicans in Albany and several senators used floor time to express condolences for victims of a deadly nightclub fire in Santo Domingo, which senators cited as having killed about 44 people and injured roughly 40 at last count.
The New York State Senate on April 7 adopted Resolution 753 commemorating Dominicans in Albany and paused the chamber’s celebratory remarks to mourn victims of a nightclub incident in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.
Senator Sepulveda, sponsor of the resolution, opened by shifting the focus from celebration to condolence after news of the tragedy. "From the bottom of my heart, my solidarity and my prayers with those that have been affected," he said, adding that "at last count, 44 lives have been lost and about 40 people have been injured." The senator named several Dominican government officials and community leaders present in the chamber and invited members to join him in pausing for the victims.
The resolution text commemorates Dominican culture and the contribution of Dominican New Yorkers to state life. Several senators used their time in support of the measure to offer condolences and to acknowledge the grief in New York’s Dominican communities. Senator Weber said he wanted to "offer my prayer and condolences to all of those families" affected by the nightclub tragedy; Senator Bailey said the community is "an incredibly important part of the fabric" of the state and urged colleagues to keep affected families in their thoughts; Senator Serrano and Senator Myrie also offered condolences on the floor.
Sepulveda identified guests in the chamber by name and role: "We are joined by Ignacio Aracena, an assemblyman and chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic government, Angel Alberto Encarnacion, deputy director of general operations of the general directorate of customs, and Raquel Elias Soriano Abreu, Head of the Management Department of General Directorate of Customs," and asked members to welcome them. The guests were recognized and extended the privileges and courtesies of the chamber.
The resolution itself was adopted by voice vote after the remarks. The record shows the question was put and the presiding officer announced the resolution adopted.
The floor remarks combined ceremonial recognition of Dominican contributions with an immediate, somber response to an international tragedy that members said had directly affected many New Yorkers. The chamber did not take separate substantive legislative action tied to the incident during this session.
Votes and formal actions relating to the resolution were recorded on the Senate floor as part of the day's proceedings.
