Hoy reports on President Hip?lito Mej?a?s statements that the Dominican Republic owes its survival to the millions of dollars sent home by emigrants from the United States and Europe. The President was speaking to a group of Dominican students who live in the US, on a visit home to the Dominican Republic. ?If we are still on the planet, it is thanks to you,? he said and cited his special fondness and respect for the Dominican community in the US. Their hard work and participation in US economic and political life should serve as an example, continued Mej?a, in a reference to the many Dominicans in public office in the United States. He cited other examples of Dominican achievers, such as Sammy Sosa, Pedro Mart?nez, Alex Rodriguez and Moises Alou.