BERGEN COUNTY CELEBRATES COLOMBIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
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
Photo caption: 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.
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