[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LIFT EMBARGO ON FOOD, MEDICINE AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO PEOPLE OF CUBA

  (Mr. TORRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, for 39 years the United States has 
maintained an economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba, all with the 
intent of toppling Fidel Castro. Thirty-nine years. Nine U.S. 
Presidents. And nothing has happened. He is still there.
  My colleagues, Helms-Burton has increased tightening the noose on 
those people. We are punishing the people of Cuba. We have effectively 
perpetuated malnutrition and disease because they cannot get food and 
medicines, contrary to the arguments that we hear that they can. Senior 
citizens, children, women, men are slowly starving to death.
  We cannot do this to another Nation, as great a republic as we are. 
H.R. 1951, a bill that I have introduced, would lift the embargo on 
food and medicine and medical equipment to the people of Cuba, and I 
ask my colleagues on both sides to join with me in cosponsoring this 
legislation. No less than the Pope has said that this is a monstrous 
act that we perpetuate upon the people of Cuba.

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