[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CUBAN POLITICAL PRISONERS EVENT

  (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, on Wednesday, May 19, the members of 
this body will have an opportunity to hear the testimonials of former 
political prisoners and prisoners of conscience who have survived 
Castro's gulags.
  For over 40 years, the brutal Castro regime has systematically 
violated the basic human rights and civil liberties of the Cuban 
people. During the 4 decades it has been in power, thousands of 
innocent people have been executed or subjected to beatings, torture or 
arbitrary detentions.
  For some lucky enough to have survived, the opportunity to inform the 
international community about the Cuban reality has become a mission. 
Their stories are graphic, compelling and horrific examples of the 
oppressive, violent and diabolical nature of the Castro regime.
  Next Wednesday, we will hear these firsthand accounts of the physical 
and psychological torture of those who are willing to risk life and 
limb for freedom, liberty and democracy for Cuba.
  I invite all of my colleagues to meet some of Cuba's true heroes, the 
survivors of Castro's gulags, on Wednesday, May 19, at 12 p.m. in room 
2200 in the Rayburn Building.

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