An extraordinary assembly pulling together the various Dominican sports federations yesterday ratified the selection of the 28-member Organizing Committee for the 2003 Pan American Games ("PanAm Games") to be held here in Santo Domingo. The Committee will be officially presented to the nation by President Leonel Fern?ndez on Friday, March 5th, just one day before the deadline set by the Pan American Sports Organization (ODEPA). The Committee President will be Dr. Jos? Joaqu?n Puello Herrera, President of the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD), with Diandino Pe?a serving as Executive Vice President and Luis?n Mej?a Oveido as Secretary. Other members come represent a broad spectrum of interests, including the national and local governments, sports organizations, business, community groups, churches, the COD, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic committees of other American nations that will participate in the 2003 PanAm Games. The other members are:Roque Napole?n Mu?oz (from the IOC) Santo Domingo Mayor Juan de Dios ("Johnny") Ventura Education Minister Ligia Amada Melo de Cardona Sports Minister Juan Marichal S?nchez Lu?s Manuel Bonetti Businessman Jos? L. Corripio ("Pep?n") Businessman Eduardo Pellerano Aniana Vargas (community leader) Jos? Miguel B?ez Figueroa (of Baninter) Arturo Pellerano (of Bancr?dito and Tricom) Carlos Espinal Rev. Manuel Estrella (evangelical church) Cardinal Nicol?s de Jes?s L?pez Rodr?guez (Catholic Church) Ram?n Men?ndez (Central Romana) Francis Malla (Grupo Malla & Cia.) Manuel Arsenio Ure?a Freddy Beras Goico (television producer & show host) Arturo Valdez (Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce of the DR) Andr?s Botero (President, Olympic Committee of Colombia) Fernando Romero (President, Olympic Committee of Venezuela) Leroi William (President, Olympic Committee of Antigua) H?ctor Cardona (President, Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico) Michael Fennell (President, Olympic Committee of Jamaica) William Hybell (President, U.S. Olympic Committee) William Warren (President, Olympic Committee of Canada) Melesio Rivera (President, Olympic Committee of El Salvador)
