Expressing Sense of Congress Regarding the Two-Year Anniversary of the Human Rights Crackdown in Cuba

EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS CRACKDOWN IN CUBA -- (House of Representatives - April 26, 2005)

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Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 81, a resolution which condemns the crackdown on political dissidents that was orchestrated by the regime of Fidel Castro two years ago. Through this remarkable violation of human rights, the Cuban government arrested more than 75 journalists, labor union organizers, civic leaders, librarians, and human rights activists, and took them as political prisoners. On this occasion, it is important that we keep in mind the struggle in which our brothers and sisters in Cuba continued to be engaged-that is, the struggle for freedom and true democracy.

One of the many dissenters arrested in March 2003 was Mr. Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, a pro-democracy activist in Cuba who has been jailed for his outspoken leadership in the Cuban democracy movement. Mr. Garcia is the regional coordinator for the Christian Liberation Movement in Santiago Province. Through this leadership position, he has moblilzed many Cuban youth for democratic change, and has focused on accomplishing the movement's chief objective: to unite citizens that are willing to defend and promote human rights and achieve changes in the Cuban society through peaceful means. Because of the efforts of determined individuals such as Mr. Garcia, the struggle for democracy in Cuba continues, and we should keep this in mind when considering any potential changes in United States policy towards Castro's regime.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 81, and continue to voice their solidarity with Mr. Garcia and all other pro-democracy activists in Cuba as they continue their push for true freedom.

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