[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRANSPORTATION/TREASURY APPROPRIATIONS BILL FY04--CUBA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Chairman Istook and 
Ranking Member Olver for their fine work on this bill. I am proud to be 
a member of this Subcommittee, under their leadership. I rise today in 
opposition to the Flake amendment to lift the ban on travel to Cuba. 
There are many reasons to support the ban on travel to Cuba.
  Number one, we must remember that Cuba is considered a state sponsor 
of terrorism by the U.S. government, as are Iran, Libya, North Korea, 
Syria, Sudan, and until recently, Iraq under Saddam Hussein's regime. 
Number two, thousands of Americans traveling to Cuba will not change 
the Castro regime. Today, Canadians and Europeans travel to Cuba on a 
regular basis, and the lives of average Cubans have not improved. The 
average Cuban has not had contact with foreigners and has not benefited 
from the tourism revenue because the money flows directly to Castro. 
Instead of enlightening the Castro regime to respect human rights and 
support democracy, we have seen no improvement as a result of increased 
travel to Cuba.
  Number three, on March 18, 2003, Castro's regime instituted a massive 
crackdown on independent journalists and democracy activists. Seventy-
five activists were arrested, subjected to summary trials and 
prosecutions, and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 to 28 years. 
Amnesty International has termed it ``the most severe crackdown on the 
dissident movement since the years following the Cuban revolution.'' 
Castro's regime also executed three men in April who had hijacked a 
ferry in Havana in an attempt to reach the United States. The men were 
executed by firing squads after summary trials that were held behind 
closed doors; four other ferry hijackers received life sentences while 
another received 30 years in prison.
  Number four, the Castro government continues to provide sanctuary for 
American fugitives from justice. For example, take the case of Joanne 
Chesimard, a convicted cop killer who took the life of a New Jersey 
State Trooper. On May 2, 1973, New Jersey State troopers Werner 
Foerster and James Harper pulled over Joanne Chesimard and two of her 
companions in a routine traffic stop. A shoot-out transpired, and 
Trooper Foerster, who had served on the force for less than three 
years, was shot and killed. Trooper Harper was wounded. A jury in the 
United States found that Trooper Foerster had been shot in the back of 
his head, execution style, at point-blank range. The jury convicted 
Joanne Chesimard of murder and sentenced her to life in prison. But, 
Chesimard escaped from prison in 1979, lived underground in America for 
a few years, and soon found sanctuary in Castro's Cuba. Chesimard 
continues to live in Cuba, free from justice. Castro has refused to 
turn Chesimard over to the United States.
  In addition to Joanne Chesimard, there are 73 other fugitives from 
U.S. law living under Castro's protection in Cuba, including a member 
of the FBI's 10 most wanted list.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States of America should not allow Fidel 
Castro, a state sponsor of terrorism, egregious abuser of human rights, 
and protector of U.S. cop killers, to enjoy the financial benefits of 
American tourism. He must return Joanne Chesimard and the other 
fugitives from American justice, cease support for terrorism, end the 
gross human rights violations within his country, and embrace democracy 
before we can welcome Castro among the nations of the world.
  The Flake amendment will not create the changes we all hope for in 
Cuba. The amendment will only make Castro and his family richer, and 
send a horrible message to dictators across the world. Oppose the Flake 
amendment.

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