[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LET US FULLY IMPLEMENT THE CUBAN LIBERTY AND DEMOCRATIC SOLIDARITY ACT

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago today, the Cuban Liberty 
and Democratic Solidarity Act was signed into law with the overwhelming 
support of this body.
  In just 1 year, the Helms-Burton law has successfully served its 
purpose of protecting the property rights of American citizens as well 
as reducing the level of foreign investments that help keep the Castro 
dictatorship in power.
  Despite the Clinton administration's failure to fully implement the 
law, dozens of companies have stopped their operations in Cuba, while 
many others have postponed their plans to invest in Castro's slave 
economy.
  The European Union, in a last-ditch attempt to profit from American 
stolen property and exploit the Cuban worker, has filed an 
irresponsible challenge before the World Trade Organization against 
Helms-Burton that threatens to undermine our Nation's ability to 
dictate our own foreign policy. We call on the President to invoke the 
national security clause in this battle.
  A year after its passage, Mr. Speaker, this body can be proud that it 
stood firm in support of the Cuban people's struggle for freedom. Now 
let us fully implement this successful law.

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