[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 2646, FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2001

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2002

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this motion.
  This Congress has consistently, and in a bipartisan manner, supported 
easing our failed trade embargo on Cuba. A few years ago, we had a 
breakthrough and enacted legislation that allows the export of food, 
medicine, and humanitarian aid to the island nation. Unfortunately, 
that landmark legislation placed restrictions on these sales, the most 
onerous of which was the prohibition on U.S. financing.
  For the life of me I've never understood why we are allowing United 
States farmers access to the Cuban market, but prohibiting our banks 
from financing these sales. This type of inconsistency doesn't just 
harm our financial institutions, it ultimately harms the very farmers 
we are tying to help.
  The continued restrictions are also hurting the Cuban people. I don't 
think endangering the health and nutrition of the Cuban people is a 
proper response to our political disagreements with Fidel Castro. 
United States policy must focus on promoting a peaceful transition to 
democracy in Cuba. As Castro grows older, it is more important than 
ever for the United States to open the Cuban embargo to some trade and 
make efforts to develop a meaningful relationship with the people of 
Cuba.
  Mr. Speaker, changing United States policy toward Cuba is long 
overdue. Unfortunately, the current restrictions on trade show there is 
still a cold war mentality, when it comes to our Nation's Cuba policy. 
Yet, I find it difficult to understand how a small island nation of 11 
million people--without the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact to protect 
it--could threaten the world's last remaining superpower.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this 
motion which will clear away legal restrictions on the sale of food and 
medicine to Cuba. Besides benefiting the people of Cuba, passage of 
this motion will benefit United States trade interests, strengthen our 
economy, and create jobs.

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