PHOTO RELEASE:
July 19, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sands
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BERGEN COUNTY CELEBRATES COLOMBIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Above: Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, and Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz standing with 2023 Colombian Outstanding Community Service Award recipients.
HACKENSACK, NJ – On Tuesday, July 18, the County of Bergen hosted a ceremony and flag raising in honor of Colombian Independence Day in the Commissioners Public Meeting Room at the One Bergen County Plaza.
Colombian Independence Day is celebrated on July 20th and commemorates Colombia’s freedom from Spanish rule, fought for by revolutionaries in Bogota after 300 years of colonialism, making Colombia the first constitutional government in South America.
Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz issued a proclamation on behalf of Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III recognizing July 20, 2023 as Colombian Independence Day. Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Ortiz presented the proclamation, along with a Key to Bergen County, to Consul General of the Consulate General of Colombia in Newark Maria del Pilar Cruz. Consul General Cruz served as the event’s keynote speaker.
The ceremony featured dance performances by Englewood’s Azucar Dance USA. Refreshments were provided by Colombia Bakery in Hackensack, New Jersey, and Club Colombia.
The County of Bergen also presented Colombian Outstanding Service Awards to members of the community.
2023 Colombian Independence Day Community Service Award Recipients:
- Diana Castenada, Emergency Room Social Worker, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
- Officer Brandon Goez, River Edge Police Department
- Mat Hernandez, Northern Highlands Regional Board of Education Trustee
- Angelica and Eleo Gonzalez, Coffeecol, Teaneck
- Julian Castello, Villa de Colombia, Hackensack
- Daniel Ruiz Lince, Student, Bergen Community College
- Nicholas Vergel, Open Door Community Center, South Hackensack
- Guillermo Reyes, North Jersey Vineyard Church, South Hackensack
Photos attachments:
Dancers from Englewood’s Azucar Dance USA perform for the audience at the Bergen County Colombian Independence Day Ceremony.
Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz presents a proclamation to Consul General of the Consulate General of Colombia in Newark Maria del Pilar Cruz.
Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz delivers opening remarks at the Bergen County Colombian Independence Day Ceremony.
Dancers from Englewood’s Azucar Dance USA return for an encore performance.
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