[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 362 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                    September 15, 1998.
Whereas Pope John Paul II earlier this year undertook a first ever Papal visit 
        to Cuba to speak directly to the Cuban people;
Whereas the Pope led the Cuban people in celebration throughout the island, 
        including leading the largest open-air mass since 1959 on the last day 
        of his visit in Jose Marti Plaza;
Whereas the Pope spoke directly with the Cuban people and the Cuban Government 
        about the importance of fundamental human rights and the necessity for 
        ``each person enjoying freedom of expression, being free to undertake 
        initiatives and make proposals within civil society, and enjoying 
        appropriate freedom of association'';
Whereas the Pope called for political freedom in Cuba, including a call to 
        release ``those who are isolated, persecuted, imprisoned for various 
        offenses or for reasons of conscience, for ideas which though dissident 
        are nonetheless peaceful'';
Whereas the Pope called for greater religious freedom in Cuba and a ``harmonious 
        social climate and a suitable legislation that enables every person and 
        every religious confession to live their faith freely, to express that 
        faith in the context of public life and to count on adequate resources 
        and opportunities to bring its spiritual, moral and civil benefits to 
        bear on the life of the nation'';
Whereas Cuban churches of all faiths supported the Papal visit and emerged from 
        the visit with expectations of greater prominence and freedom to operate 
        in Cuban society;
Whereas the Pope invoked the name of Father Felix Varela y Morales, ``an 
        undeniable patriot'', who ``spoke of democracy, judging it to be the 
        political project best in keeping with human nature'', and the name of 
        Jose Marti, ``a writer and a teacher in the fullest sense of the word, 
        deeply committed to democracy and independence, a patriot, a loyal 
        friend even to those who did not share his political program'';
Whereas the Pope remembered ``those people who for various reasons have left the 
        country but still feel that they are sons and daughters of Cuba'' and 
        established that ``the Cuban people should be the protagonists of their 
        own future and destiny'';
Whereas the Pope both called for greater integration of the people of Cuba into 
        the international community and criticized the Castro Government by 
        saying ``imposed isolation strikes the people indiscriminately, making 
        it ever more difficult for the weakest to enjoy the bare essentials of 
        decent living''; and
Whereas the Pope challenged Cuba and the international community of nations by 
        saying ``May Cuba with all its magnificent potential, open itself up to 
        the world, and may the world open itself up to Cuba'': Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends Pope John Paul II for his visit to Cuba, for his frank 
        criticism of the Cuban Government, and his message of hope to the Cuban 
        people; and
            (2) urges the international community to join the United States in 
        actively supporting the freedom and democratic reforms for Cuba embodied 
        in the Pope's homilies which have peacefully united Cubans in the common 
        cause of liberty.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.