Pedro Mir, known as the National Poet, died at 12:45 am Tuesday, 11 July. He suffered from lung emphysema. He had been interned at the Plaza de la Salud hospital since 25 May. With him at the time, were two of his daughters. He is best known for his poem, "Hay un país en el mundo," first published in 1949 in Cuba. A graduate of law, he also worked as a high school professor and a journalist. The National Congress declared him National Poet of the Dominican Republic in 1982. Hunter College of the University of New York granted him a Honoris Causa Doctorate. And former President Balaguer decorated him with the Order of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella. In 1999, the National Book Fair was dedicated to him. The Banco de Reservas has published a CD with his poems.
