Young Lawmaker Congresswoman Laura Richardson Takes a Page from President Obama's Playbook and Calls for a New Diplomatic Era and to Turn the Page in Cuba with Fidel Castro and President Raul Castro

Press Release

In conjunction with six other members of the U.S. Congress, including Chairwoman Barbara Lee (CA) of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Laura Richardson participated in a 5-day Congressional Delegation trip to Cuba. The visit had many firsts: the first official congressional delegation meeting with President Raul Castro, the first official meeting with Former President Fidel Castro since his illness in 2006, and the first meeting with several cabinet members, including the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Congresswoman Laura Richardson asked President Raul Castro along with Chairwoman Lee and the other members of the delegation if it was possible to meet with Former President Fidel Castro. President Raul agreed and Congresswoman Richardson was one of three members of Congress from the delegation to meet with Former President Fidel Castro.

Congresswoman Richardson said, "I, like President Obama, did not grow up during the Cuban Revolution and neither am I a product of the past Cold War philosophies. Therefore, I met with the President and Former President to listen, to learn and to determine if there was a possibility of new diplomacy and new strategies for both countries."

Further Congresswoman Richardson stated, "Just yesterday, President Obama said while in Turkey that there was a need to ‘turn the page' and a willingness to open dialogue with foreign nations such as Cuba, a country only 90 miles away from the United States border."

"I look forward to meeting with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to share my insights and experiences. I want to share with them what I witnessed regarding higher education, medical research and development," stated Congresswoman Richardson. "During my visit to Cuba, I experienced freedom of travel, freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. The array of perspectives of the Cuban people and their government, I hope to share with the Administration prior to the upcoming Organization of American States (OAS) meeting."

Returning to Washington for the district work period for district meetings and activities, Congresswoman Richardson said this of her visit:

"Serving on both the House Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, I found the discussions of migration and untapped trade opportunities for 11 million people relevant, timely and productive."

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