[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 580-581] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]PAYING TRIBUTE TO A DOMINICAN-AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY MUSICAL GROUP AVENTURA ON THE EVE OF DOMINICAN HERITAGE MONTH ______ HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL of new york in the house of representatives Friday, January 22, 2010 Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, Dominican Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the economic, cultural, and social contributions Dominican Americans have made to this great nation. Dominicans living in our shores have been motivated by the value of hard work and the bonds of family--the same pillars of our society that has built this great nation for over 230 years. It also gives us an opportunity to consider the many Dominican American achievements, on the island and in the United States. Many of our hemisphere's firsts were established on the shores of Quisqueya. One of those firsts was the sound of Bachata, a guitar-based evolution of the Bolero often compared to the Blues with prevalent tales of heartbreak, sadness, and bitter-sweet romance. The genre began in the countryside and rural neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic and slowly made its way on to small venues. The musical group Aventura, with its unique style of Bachata, hip hop, and R&B fusion, finally brought the genre onto the world stage. The group, which formed in 1996, includes lead singer and featured composer and producer Anthony ``Romeo'' Santos, guitarist and producer Lenny Santos, bassist Max Santos, and composer Henry Santos Jeter. As of today, Aventura is one of the most unique artists on the music scene. Since its humble beginnings, the group has sold over 1 million albums worldwide. After well over a decade of sparring in the music business, these four young, dynamic Dominican Americans with a seldom- seen chemistry continue to auto-produce soulful, original music that gleams with excellence. In the past year alone, the Bronx-based Bachata band has had the most successful Latin album, spending over five months at No. 1 and spawning four No. 1 singles. Aventura has not only contributed significantly to the history of the world community, they have also contributed substantially to many of our world's poor and less fortunate communities. From benefit concerts to toy drives, they reach out to help those in need. Even as we pray for those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti, the group has pledged to donate to the relief efforts and will also allow Red Cross volunteers to accept donations on-site at four of their Madison Square Garden concerts, deemed the last tour, later this month. Since the initial wave of Dominican migration to the most recent arrivals of today, Dominicans have worked hard to contribute to our national identity, educating us all on their culture and traditions and enriching the quality of our shared futures. Aventura solidifies that sentiment in every way. This award-winning group is not just a sense of pride for all [[Page 581]] Dominicans in our nation and abroad but for all Americans. Madam Speaker, for this, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues in the Congress join me in paying tribute to not only the triumphs of Aventura, but also the invaluable impact that this quartet has had on our country and the world. ____________________