Cotuisanos in New York honor Ricardo de los Santos and Danilo Burgos

New York. – The community of Cotuí natives residing in this city paid tribute to several distinguished personalities from the province of Sánchez Ramírez during the Gran Gala a la Excelencia, organized by the Fundación Comunidad Sánchez Ramírez USA and held at the Eastwood Manor, located at 3371 Eastchester Rd in the Bronx.

Among the honorees were the President of the Senate of the Dominican Republic, Ricardo de los Santos; Pennsylvania State Representative for the 197th District, Danilo Burgos; and Roberto Rojas, a well-known philanthropic leader credited with thousands of charitable initiatives carried out in New York in recent years.

Ricardo de los Santos, who traveled to New York specifically for the event, stated that “there is still much to be done for the province I represent in the Upper Chamber.”

The evening also recognized Francisco Jerez Mena, Nairobi Viloria, Sánchez Tiburcio, Milcíades Pichardo, Tony Almonte, Carlos David, Félix Morel, Marilyn Díaz Pérez, bachata singer Joe Veras, and Robinson Almánzar.

Upon receiving the Medal of Honor, Danilo Burgos paid posthumous tribute to journalist Polón Vázquez and Dr. Dante Sánchez, both of whom played important roles within the Dominican community in Philadelphia. “Tonight, as I receive this honor, I want to dedicate it to two outstanding Cotuí natives who left a lasting legacy in the Dominican community of Philadelphia (…) without them, I would not be a state representative today,” Burgos said, prompting a long and emotional ovation from those in attendance.

“I have received many recognitions, but receiving one of this magnitude, in the place where one was born and raised, commits us even more to becoming better citizens each day, and that is what we work for,” said Roberto Rojas after being honored.

The ceremony gathered business owners, professionals, academics, community leaders, and Dominican political figures in New York. The Fundación Comunidad Sánchez Ramírez USA, based in this city, has established this gala as a prestigious event that highlights notable leaders and personalities from the province of Sánchez Ramírez.