[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 117 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          FAILED CUBAN POLICY

  (Mr. MICA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, we have seen this administration's bungled 
policy that brought 12,000 Haitians to my State last year and 15,000 
now being held in Guantanamo.
  As a Member of Congress from Florida, I am now gravely concerned 
about our policy relating to Cuba.
  This administration says it will stop another Mariel boatlift.
  Unfortunately our current policy is not working. Last year only 2,800 
Cubans fled their island prison for the United States. In the last 2 
weeks nearly that number has reached our shores.
  By the end of this week 8,000 new Cuban refugees will crowd Florida's 
hospitals, schools, streets, and social service centers. Yesterday, 
more than 500 arrived.
  Let us face it. As reported in the media today, a slow-motion Mariel 
is already taking place.
  Unfortunately, we have allowed Fidel Castro to dictate our foreign 
policy. Our present policy provides transportation and potential death 
for those fleeing by sea. Hundreds are dying, if not by Castro's hand, 
by our policy.
  We need a policy to stop this influx and one to promote freedom in 
Cuba now.
  Only a policy to free Cuba will provide a permanent solution. Only a 
policy to bring down Fidel Castro will resolve this dilemma.

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