[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CUBAN MUNICIPIOS

  (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, fleeing the repressive communist 
regime that took the political and military power in Cuba on January 1, 
1959, Cuban nationals started to arrive in the U.S. for freedom and 
democracy. The Cuban diaspora had to face the hardships of their new 
lives.
  But despite their difficulties, the exiled Cuban-Americans succeeded 
in preserving their cultural heritage. They never failed to dedicate 
time to promote liberty for the land they had left behind. They 
initiated ways to help their homeland regain its freedom.
  In the early 1960s, the Cuban exile community regrouped by 
``Municipios,'' or cities from which they originated. The Municipios 
formed the Municipios de Cuba en el Exilio, the Cuban Municipalities in 
Exile, that became the largest Cuban organization outside of the 
island.
  Undertaking numerous actions to advance the cause of democracy, 
freedom and human rights in Cuba, the Municipios also participate 
actively in projects aimed at improving mutual understanding in South 
Florida and beyond.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all of the Municipio members for helping 
to advance the cause of freedom and democracy in my native Cuba.

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