The president of the Senate, Ramón Alburquerque has resubmitted the bill that would add the name of Partido Revolucionario Dominicano leader José Francisco Peña Gómez to the name of the Las Americas International Airport. This bill had been submitted upon the death of Peña Gómez in 1998, but was modified to eliminate the name of Las Americas and was vetoed by then President Leonel Fernández. Opposition to the bill that would change the name of the Airport to Dr. José Peña Gómez International Airport was on grounds that it would create problems to international aviation and that Peña Gómez was not a favorite of almost half of the Dominican population. Peña Gómez was elected Mayor of Santo Domingo on two occasions but failed on two occasions to reach the Presidency. He died of cancer. Supporters of the bill say that Peña Gómez was a lifelong supporter of democracy in the DR and abroad. He was for many years president of the International Socialist political coalition. Since the PRD is majority in the Senate and is the ruling party, the bill stands a very good chance of passing this time around. (18 October 2000)
