[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2291-E2292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             PEOPLE OF CUBA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, November 8, 1997

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the 
thousands of Cubans who have no voice, for they have no freedom.
  On Wednesday, November 5, 1997, yet another resolution was passed by 
the U.N. General Assembly, condemning our country's economic sanctions 
against the megalomaniacal dictator, Fidel Castro. One hundred forty-
three other nations, including our good trading partners from Europe, 
Canada, and Japan voted in support of Castro and against the United 
States. What those countries fail to realize is that they are working 
against the freedom loving people of Cuba.
  For Americans, Cuba, is in many ways, a family matter for us. 
Hundreds of thousands of Cuban families have been separated on opposite 
sides of the Florida Straits for years. Cuban-Americans, refugees 
really from war, have long dreamed to someday be reunited with family 
and to see their homeland free once again. Unless strong steps are 
taken to end the Castro regime, that dream will remain just that--a 
dream. Standing up to Cuba, standing against Castro and his 
dictatorship, is the only way to turn those dreams into reality. Using 
our economic leverage makes it clear to the people of Cuba there is no 
reconciliation with Fidel Castro, there is no compromise, and it is 
time to bring the dictatorship to a close. We do this as we did against 
South Africa with apartheid and as we do today against Iraq.
  I am filled today more with sorrow than with anger that our allies, 
our friends, would support the continuation of oppression and tyranny. 
However, on this most recent vote, I am gratified that we were joined 
by two distinguished voices for freedom: Israel and Uzbekistan. These 
two nations have faced and conquered the obstacles that stand in the 
way of freedom and realize that freedom, and its bounty, is the 
fundamental human right.
  Castro has had a wall put up around Cuba for almost 40 years. It is 
our duty, as the pillar of democracy, to tear down those walls and 
bring freedom to the people yearning for it. I am reminded of Robert 
Kennedy's words, which are so appropriate now. ``Each time a man stands 
up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out 
against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing 
each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those 
ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of 
oppression and resistance.''

[[Page E2292]]

The walls today stand between the people of Cuba and freedom and were 
built by Castro. Those walls must come down. America must tear them 
down. If the United States has to stand alone against Cuba's violent 
dictatorship, then so be it.

                          ____________________