[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 
                   THE HUMAN RIGHTS CRACKDOWN IN CUBA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I have long been staunch supporter of human 
rights throughout the world. Consistent with my strong record opposing 
human rights abuses around the world, I deplore the draconian actions 
President Castro has taken to curb the civil rights of Cubans. 
Unfortunately, it is impossible to. have a legitimate debate an human 
rights abuses in Cuba because of the extreme politicalization of U.S.-
Cuba policy that the Bush Administration has championed.
  If we are truly serious about instilling a democratic influence and 
respect for the rule of law, U.S. policy should permit unrestricted 
travel to the island that is only 90 miles from our shores. Cuban 
Americans should be able to freely visit their loved ones, tourism 
should be allowed to flourish, cultural and educational exchanges 
should be encouraged, and agricultural trade should be unrestricted, 
thereby creating new markets for U.S. farmers and growers. 
Unfortunately, the current policy towards Cuba is not only 
counterproductive to American economic interests, but actually helps 
prop up President Castro by continuing to isolate Cubans from the rest 
of the world.
  The House of Representatives should be pressing far greater political 
and economic freedoms for Cubans that would truly improve their human 
rights instead of meaningless resolutions that reinforce a flawed 
strategy.

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