[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H8408-H8413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1300
   EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING JULY 2005 
       MEASURES OF EXTREME REPRESSION ON PART OF CUBAN GOVERNMENT

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 388) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding the July, 2005, measures of extreme 
repression on the part of the Cuban Government against members of 
Cuba's prodemocracy movement, calling for the immediate release of all 
political prisoners, the legalization of political parties and free 
elections in Cuba, urging the European Union to reexamine its policy 
toward Cuba, and calling on the representative of the United States to 
the 62d session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to 
ensure a resolution calling upon the Cuban regime to end its human 
rights violations, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 388

       Whereas the European Union instituted measures on the Cuban 
     Government after the Cuban Government exercised extreme 
     repression on peaceful prodemocracy activists in 2003, but in 
     January 2005 the European Union suspended its measures;
       Whereas on July 13, 2005, the Cuban Government detained 24 
     human rights activists who were participating in a solemn 
     event in remembrance of the victims of the tugboat massacre 
     of innocent civilians by the Cuban government of July 13, 
     1994;
       Whereas human rights activists Rene Montes de Oca, Emilio 
     Leiva Perez, Camilo Cairo Falcon, Manuel Perez Soira, Roberto 
     Guerra Perez, and Lazaro Alonso Roman remain incarcerated 
     from the July 13, 2005, event and face trumped up charges of 
     ``disorderly conduct'';
       Whereas on July 14, 2005, the Government of France invited 
     the Cuban regime's Foreign Minister to the French Embassy in 
     Havana for a ``Bastille Day'' celebration;
       Whereas members of the prodemocracy opposition in Cuba 
     sought, on July 22, 2005, in Havana, to demonstrate in front 
     of the French Embassy in a peaceful and orderly manner, on 
     behalf of the liberation of all Cuban political prisoners, 
     and to protest the current policy of the European Union 
     toward the Cuban Government;
       Whereas the Cuban regime mobilized its repressive state 
     security apparatus to intimidate and harass the peaceful 
     demonstrators in order to prevent prodemocracy activists from 
     reaching the French Embassy;
       Whereas the Cuban regime arrested and detained many who 
     were planning on attending the peaceful protest of July 22 in 
     front of the French Embassy, including Martha Beatriz Roque 
     Cabello, Felix Antonio Bonne Carcasses, Rene Gomez Manzano, 
     Jose Javier Baeza Dis, Maria de los Angeles Borrego, Ernesto 
     Colas Garcia, Emma Maria Alonso Del Monte, Jose Escuredo 
     Marrero, Uldarico Garcia, Yusimi Gil Portel, Oscar Mario 
     Gonzalez Perez, Humberto Guerra, Luis Cesar Guerra, Julio 
     Cesar Lopez Rodriguez, Miguel Lopez Santos, Jacqueline Montes 
     de Oca, Raul Martinez Prieto, Ricardo Medina Salabarria, 
     Francisco Moure Saladrigas, Georgina Noa Montes, Niurka Maria 
     Pena Rodriguez, Luis Manuel Penalver, Pastor Perez Sanchez, 
     Jesus Adolfo Reyes Sanchez, Gloria Cristina Rodriguez 
     Gonzalez, Juan Mario Rodriguez Guillen, Miguel Valdes Tamayo, 
     Santiago Valdeolla Perez, and Jesus Alejandro Victore Molina;
       Whereas Rene Gomez Manzano, a distinguished leader of the 
     struggle for freedom in Cuba, and other prodemocracy 
     activists, continue to be detained without cause;
       Whereas hundreds of political prisoners and prisoners of 
     conscience languish in the Cuban regime's prisons for the 
     crime of seeking democracy for Cuba;
       Whereas thousands of others languish in Cuba's totalitarian 
     prisons accused of ``common crimes'', such as illegally 
     attempting to leave the country and violating the norms of 
     the totalitarian economic system, who should be recognized as 
     prisoners of conscience because they are being jailed for 
     attempting to exercise personal freedoms;
       Whereas the Cuban regime has arrested more than 400 young 
     Cubans, from late 2004 through June of 2005, and according to 
     the Cuban regime, the arrests were carried out as a ``measure 
     of pre-delinquent security'';
       Whereas the Cuban regime has continued to repress attempts 
     by the Cuban people to bring democratic change to the island 
     and denies universally recognized liberties, including 
     freedom of speech, association, movement, and the press;
       Whereas the Cuban Government remains designated as one of 6 
     state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department 
     of State;
       Whereas the Cuban Government continues to provide safe 
     harbor to fugitives from United States law enforcement 
     agencies and to international terrorists;
       Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which 
     establishes global human rights standards, asserts that all

[[Page H8409]]

     human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, 
     and that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or 
     detention;
       Whereas the Cuban regime engages in torture and other 
     cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, including extended 
     periods of solitary confinement and denial of nutritional and 
     medical attention, according to the Department of State's 
     Country Report on Human Rights 2004;
       Whereas the personal representative of the United Nations 
     Human Rights Commissioner has not been allowed by the Cuban 
     regime to enter the island to carry out the mandate assigned 
     by the United Nations Human Right Commission in its 
     resolution of 2002/18 of 19 April 2002, and reaffirmed in 
     resolutions 2003/13 of 17 April 2003, 2004/11 of 15 April 
     2004, and 2005/12 of 14 April 2005; and
       Whereas the Cuban regime continues to violate the rights 
     enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 
     Inter-American Convention on Human Rights, and other 
     international and regional human rights agreements, and has 
     violated the noted Resolutions of the United Nations 
     Commission on Human Rights: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns the gross human rights violations committed by 
     the Cuban regime;
       (2) calls on the Secretary of State to initiate an 
     international solidarity campaign on behalf of the immediate 
     release of all Cuban political prisoners;
       (3) supports the right of the Cuban people to exercise 
     fundamental political and civil liberties, including freedom 
     of expression, assembly, association, movement, the press, 
     and the right to multiparty elections;
       (4) calls on the European Union to reexamine its current 
     policy toward the Cuban regime, before June of 2006; and
       (5) calls on the United States Permanent Representative to 
     the United Nations, and other international organizations, to 
     work with the member countries of the United Nations 
     Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) throughout the 62d session 
     of the UNCHR in Geneva, Switzerland, to ensure a resolution 
     that includes the strongest possible condemnation of the July 
     2005 measures of extreme repression on opposition activists 
     and of all the human rights violations committed by the Cuban 
     regime.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentlewoman from Nevada 
(Ms. Berkley) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 388.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western 
Hemisphere, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) would normally be 
here. The gentleman is very, very concerned about this resolution and 
is very, very supportive of it, but he currently has a markup, a 
committee vote that he is in the process of doing, so, again, I have 
the opportunity and honor of going ahead with this in his stead.
  H. Res. 388 is a resolution which condemns the gross human rights 
violations committed by the Cuban regime and expresses support for the 
right of the Cuban people to exercise fundamental political and civil 
liberties.
  As a member of the Committee on International Relations, I would like 
to thank my colleague the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-
Balart) for introducing this resolution, which highlights the atrocious 
human rights violations the Cuban people continue to suffer at the 
hands of Castro's oppressive regime.
  Mr. Castro continues to hone his craft, that is to say, his 
systematic reign of fear and intimidation of his own population. This 
past July, the Castro regime renewed its efforts to stamp out the pro-
democracy movement.
  This resolution sends a strong message to the Cuban Government that 
the world will not forget those people who are languishing in Cuban 
prisons for the so-called crime of speaking out against the injustices 
perpetrated by the Castro regime. Many of the dissidents arrested July 
remain in custody, and several of them face long sentences in prison 
for threatening to undermine Cuba's Communist government, according to 
Amnesty International and other organizations.
  As U.S. service men and women put their lives on the line to bring 
freedom and democracy to areas of the world that have long suffered in 
the shadow of tyranny, Cuba represents a prime example in our own 
hemispheres of what can happen if any nation shuns democracy and 
subjugates itself to the whims of dictatorship.
  As it stands now, Cuba is the only nation in the hemisphere that is a 
complete dictatorship, and since the earliest days of the regime, 
Castro has not only stifled efforts to promote freedom and democracy in 
Cuba, but he has also actively been involved in promoting communism and 
dictatorships around the world, most especially in Central and South 
America. The fall of Castro's principal benefactor, the Soviet Union, 
may have caused a shift in Castro's tactics, but he has never abandoned 
his ambition to export communism.
  I am very concerned about the state of affairs in the Western 
Hemisphere, and I am convinced that there will never be true, lasting 
peace and freedom in the region until we solve the Cuba problem once 
and for all. The only acceptable solution is a free and democratic 
Cuba. I have hope there will be a day when the light of democracy 
shines in Havana, a day when free expression and free elections replace 
the current hopeless status quo.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. We owe it to the 
thousands of Cubans who risk their lives every year to flee the 
Communist regime by any means necessary, even attempting to brave the 
hazardous 90-mile crossing between the United States and Cuba on 
makeshift rafts, as well as those languishing in Cuban jails, to 
further open the eyes of the world community to the true evils of the 
Castro regime. We must never forget them.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) will control the 20 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my good friend and colleague, the 
distinguished chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), for facilitating this body's 
consideration of the resolution. I also want to thank the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for offering this very important 
resolution and for his tireless battle to promote human rights in Cuba.
  Mr. Speaker, the manipulative tyranny of Fidel Castro continues 
unabated. Two months ago, Havana's security apparatus arrested over 50 
human rights activists and political dissidents in two separate 
roundups as these individuals peacefully exercised their fundamental 
rights of association and expression. Many of these brave men and women 
remain incarcerated in rat-infested cells because of their conviction 
to seek freedom and democracy in Cuba. They join the hundreds of other 
political prisoners who have been languishing behind bars for such so-
called crimes as sharing books with neighbors, reporting the news 
outside of government-controlled media outlets and attempting to 
organize independent free labor unions in Communist Cuba.
  Other individuals who dare to practice their professions outside of 
state-sanctioned avenues feel the wrath of Castro's henchmen in other 
sordid forms. According to international human rights groups, political 
repression in Cuba is manifested through the use of police warnings and 
constant surveillance, short-term detentions, house arrests, travel 
restrictions, criminal prosecutions and politically motivated 
dismissals from jobs.
  We in this House have repeatedly and forcefully denounced this 
oppression, calling for the immediate release of all political 
prisoners, and we have advocated for political liberalization on the 
island. This year, the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva 
joined in the chorus of voices calling attention to the injustices 
which continue to be inflicted upon those who toil in Castro's island 
prison, or, should I say, prison island.
  The U.N. Commission on Human Rights can and should do more. The

[[Page H8410]]

Human Rights Commission should call upon the Castro regime to release 
immediately all prisoners who are incarcerated in violation of their 
fundamental human rights. The Human Rights Commission should demand 
that the Cuban Government respect the freedom of association, 
expression and other international human rights norms. And the Human 
Rights Commission should press the Castro regime to hold free and fair 
elections and otherwise not suppress the ability of Cuban citizens to 
exercise their fundamental political rights.
  Although the commission is not scheduled to meet again until early 
next year, much of the preparatory work that is necessary to secure a 
strong resolution on Cuba should be occurring now. Cuban emissaries 
reportedly have colluded with their like-minded brethren from 
Venezuela, Burma, Turkmenistan, Syria and other countries with very 
questionable human rights records to block proposed reforms to the 
commission that would give it the credibility and the institutional 
capability that it sorely lacks.
  Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that the community of real democracies will 
no longer allow those countries which flagrantly break the rules to sit 
in judgment of their own abhorrent practices. I strongly urge all of my 
colleagues to support this resolution, and, therefore, send a signal to 
our friends in New York and Havana that we are with them in their 
struggle against tyranny and oppression.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), the original sponsor 
of the resolution.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank, 
first of all, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman), who has been 
so kind to bring forth this resolution today as a distinguished member 
of the Committee on International Relations and as a great friend and 
supporter of human rights throughout the world, including in that 
oppressed island just 90 miles from our shores.
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), when I first arrived in 
this Congress in January 1993, that same month I was able to witness 
firsthand the man who has devoted his entire life to defending those 
who cannot defend themselves, and since that very month, my admiration 
that I already had for him has grown ceaselessly. I thank him for, once 
again, coming forth here in this hall and speaking on behalf of those 
who cannot speak for themselves.
  The resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, calls for the liberation 
of each and every one of the thousands, really, unknown is the number, 
of political prisoners in Cuba. There are hundreds recognized, 
identified and called ``prisoners of conscience'' by international 
organizations such as Amnesty International. There are thousands of 
others who commit so-called crimes that are not crimes anywhere else, 
certainly in any democratic societies, crimes like trying to feed their 
families, crimes like trying to leave the country, something guaranteed 
by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. So there are countless 
political prisoners.
  The resolution before us calls for the liberation of each and every 
one of them, immediately; it calls for the legalization of political 
parties, labor unions and the press by that tyranny; and it calls for 
free elections, because ultimately the right of self-determination is 
the only right that guarantees all other human rights, and without the 
right of self-determination, all other human rights, when they are 
granted by tyrants, they are but gifts from the tyrants to people, to 
his people, gifts that can be withdrawn at any time.
  In addition, as the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) stated, this resolution 
remembers those who, as we speak today, as we speak, are languishing in 
dungeons for the so-called crime of seeking and supporting the rights 
that we cherish and take really for granted, and have for over 200 
years in this country, and much of the world certainly takes for 
granted, the right to speak and the right to elect leaders in periodic 
elections.

                              {time}  1315

  The right to organize political parties and labor unions, and the 
right to free expression and to freedom of the press, the right of 
association, for trying to seek those inalienable rights, people are 
languishing and suffering, and we remember them today.
  Now, just a few weeks ago, in July, when this latest round-up 
occurred of opposition leaders inside of Cuba, perhaps the most well-
known was the very prestigious jurist Rene Gomez Manzano, as well as 
the other leaders of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society. A few were 
subsequently released at the whim of the dictator; they may be picked 
up at any time. Mr. Gomez Manzano remains in a cell at this time and 
has engaged and is engaging in a hunger strike. And there are others 
whose health has already deteriorated to the point where, for example, 
Mr. Victor Rolando Arroyo, his wife informs us today that she fears his 
imminent death because he is engaged in a hunger strike protesting the 
conditions that all political prisoners suffer each day in that 
oppressed island. Mr. Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique is also engaging in a 
hunger strike.
  He received a month ago, approximately a month ago, such a brutal 
beating inside the prison that when he protested for receiving that 
beating, he was put in what they call a punishment cell, as others in 
that prison, like Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, and others in hunger strikes 
like Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, like Normando Hernandez, and I will, 
Mr. Speaker, with your authorization, submit for the Record a list that 
I mentioned before is recognized by international organizations, such 
as Amnesty International, of hundreds of prisoners of conscience.
  Now, what we are also doing in this resolution is asking the European 
Union, because they, in response to this series of crackdowns that the 
dictatorship has engaged in against the pro-democracy movement, the 
European Union has, in its wisdom, Mr. Speaker, following the advice 
and consent of Mr. Zapatero, the Prime Minister of Spain, has decided 
to appease the dictatorship even more. And the few sanctions that the 
European Union had, political sanctions they called them, for example, 
inviting the dissidents to receptions in embassies and allowing them 
entry into embassies to have discourse, dialogue with members of the 
diplomatic corps in the embassies of the European Union, those so-
called sanctions were ended by the European Union under the premise and 
theory that they would encourage the ending of the sanctions, the 
dictator to be more benevolent. Well, we have seen how the dictator has 
responded.
  We are asking in this resolution for the European Union to reconsider 
its policy of appeasement, and we are asking also that the United 
Nations, in its Human Rights Commission, pass a resolution asking for 
the cessation of human rights violations in Cuba.
  So it is a very appropriate resolution. I commend, again, my 
colleagues who have been supportive. It is in the tradition, it stands 
in the tradition of this House of Representatives, this Congress that, 
in April of 1898, passed the resolution that is well-known in Cuban 
history, saying that Cuba is and, of right, ought to be free and 
independent, and it is in that tradition that we bring forth this 
resolution today, and I urge its adoption overwhelmingly by colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle on this day in which so many continue to 
suffer on that oppressed island.

       Brief Examples--All Information From Amnesty International

       Mijail Barzaga Lugo, 36; Independent Journalist; Sentence: 
     15 years; Date of arrest: 20 March 2003.
       Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, 43; Human Rights Leader; 
     Sentence: 25 years; Date of arrest: 6 December 2002.
       Marcelo Cano Rodriguez, 38; Medical Doctor, Human Rights 
     Activist; Sentence: 18 years; Date of arrest: 25 March 2003.
       Eduardo Diaz Fleitas, 51; Farmer, Opposition Activist; 
     Sentence: 21 years; Date of arrest: 18 March 2003.
       Antonio Ramon Diaz Sanchez, 41; Electrician, member of the 
     Christian Liberation Movement; Sentence: 20 years; Date of 
     arrest: 18 March 2003.
       Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, 55; Member of the United Cuban 
     Workers Council; Sentence: 26 years; Date of arrest: 18 March 
     2003.
       ``Antunez'' Jorge Luis Garcia Perez--18 years (sentenced in 
     1990).
       Partial list of political prisoners in Cuba, provided by 
     Plantados Hasta La Libertad De Cuba.

[[Page H8411]]

       Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, Adrian Alvarez Arencibia, Agustin 
     Cervantes Garcia, Alejandro Cabrera Cruz, Alejandro Gonzalez 
     Raga, Alexei Solorzano Chacon, Alexis Rodriguez Fernandez, 
     Alexis Triana Montecino, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, Alfredo M. 
     Pulido Lopez, Alfredo Rodolfo Dominguez Batista, Alilas Saes 
     Romero, Alquimidez Luis Martinez, Andres Frometa Cuenca, 
     Antonio Augusto Villareal Acosta, Antonio Ramon Diaz Sanchez, 
     Antonio Vladimir Rosello Gomez, Ariel Aguilera Hernandez, 
     Ariel Sigler Amaya, Armando Sosa Fortuny, Arnalda Ramos 
     Lauzerique, Arturo Perez de Alejo Rodriguez, Arturo Suarez 
     Ramos, Arturo Suarez Ramos, Benito Ortega Suarez, Bernardo 
     Espinosa Hernandez, Bias Giraldo Reyes Rodriguez, Carlos Luis 
     Diaz Fernandez, Carlos Martin Gomez, Cecilio Reinoso Sanchez, 
     Charles Valdez Suarez, Claro Fernando Alonzo Hernandez, Claro 
     Sanchez Altarriba, Daniel Candelario Santovenia Fernandez, 
     Daniel Escalona Martinez, David Aguila Montero, Delvis 
     Cespedes Reyes, Digzan Ramirez Ballester, Diosdado Gonzalez 
     Marrero, Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Paneque, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet 
     Gonzalez, Duilliam Ramirez Ballester, Eduardo Diaz 
     Castellanos.
       Eduardo Diaz Fleitas, Efrain Roberto Rivas Hernandez, Efren 
     Fernandez Fernandez, Egberto Angel Escobedo Morales, Elio 
     Enrique Chavez Ramon, Elio Terrero Gomez, Elizardo Calbo 
     Hernandez, Enrique Santos Gomez, Ernesto Borges Perez, 
     Ernesto Duran Rodriguez, Ezequiel Morales Carmenate, Fabio 
     Prieto Llorente, Felix Geraldo Vega Ruiz, Felix Navarro 
     Rodriguez, Fidel Garcia Roldan, Fidel Suarez Cruz, Francisco 
     Herodes Diaz Echemendia, Francisco Pacheco Espinosa, 
     Francisco Pastor Chaviano Gonzalez, Guido Sigler Amaya, 
     Hector Larroque Rego, Hector Maceda Gutierrez, Hector Palacio 
     Ruiz, Hector Raul Valle Hernandez, Hiran Gonzalez Torna, 
     Horacia Julio Pina Borrego, Humberto Eladio Real Suarez, 
     Ignacio Ramos Valdez, Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, Jesus Manuel 
     Rojas Pineda, Jesus Mustafa Felipe, Joel Cano Diaz, Joel 
     Perez Ozorio, Jorge Alvarez Sanchez, Jorge Gonzalez 
     Velazquez, Jorge Luis Gonzalez Riveron, Jorge Luis Gonzalez 
     Tanquero, Jorge Luis Martinez Roja, Jorge Luis Suarez Varona, 
     Jorge Ozorio Vazquez, Jorge Pelegrin Ruiz, Jorge Rafael 
     Benitez Chui, Jose Agramonte Leiva.
       Jose Antonio Mola Porro, Jose Benito Menendez del Valle, 
     Jose Carlos Montero Ocampo, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Jose 
     Enrique Santana Carreiras, Jose Diaz Silva, Jose Gabriel 
     Ramon Castillo, Jose Joaquin Palma Salas, Jose Miguel 
     Martinez Hernandez, Jose Ramon Falcon Gomez, Jose Rodriguez 
     Herrada, Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, Juan Alfredo Valle 
     Perez, Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, Juan Carlos Vazquez 
     Garcia, Juan Ochoa Leyva, Julian Enrique Martinez Baez, 
     Julian Hernandez Lopez, Julio Cesar Alvarez Lopez, Julio 
     Cesar Galvez Rodriguez, Lazaro Alejandro Garcia Farah, Lazaro 
     Gonzalez Adan, Lazaro Gonzalez Caraballo, Leandro Suarez 
     Sabot, Lenin Efren Cordova, Leoncio Rodriguez Ponce, Leonel 
     Grave de Peralta Almenares, Lester Gonzalez Penton, Librado 
     Ricardo Linares Garcia, Luis Cabrera Ballester, Luis Elio de 
     la Paz Ramon, Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, Luis Milan 
     Fernandez, Manuel Ubals Gonzalez, Manuel Ubals Gonzalez, 
     Marcelino Rodriguez Vazquez, Marcelo Cano Rodriguez, Marco 
     Antonio Soto Morell, Marino Antomachit Rivero, Mario Enrique 
     Mayo Hernandez, Maximo Omar Ruiz Matoses, Maximo Robaina 
     Pradera, Miguel Diaz Bauza, Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, Mijail 
     Barzaga Lugo, Nelson Aguiar Ramirez, Nelson Molinet Espino.
       Norberto Chavez Diaz, Normando Hernandez Gonzalez, Omar 
     Moises Hernandez Ruiz, Omar Pernet Hernandez, Omar Rodriguez 
     Saludes, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Pablo Javier Sanchez 
     Quintero, Pablo Pacheco Avila, Pedro Arguelles Moran, Pedro 
     de la Caridad Alvarez Pedroso, Pedro Genaro Barrera 
     Rodriguez, Pedro Lizado Pena, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, 
     Pedro Pablo Pulido Ortega, Prospero Gainza Aguero, Rafael 
     Corrales Alonso, Rafael Gonzalez Ruiz, Rafael Ibarra Roque, 
     Rafael Jorrin Garcia, Rafael Millet Leyva, Ramon Fidel 
     Basulto Garcia, Randy Cabrera Mayor, Raul Alejandro Delgado 
     Arias, Raumel Vinagera Stevens, Regis Iglesia Ramirez, 
     Reinaldo Calzadilla Paz, Reinaldo Galvez Contrera, Reinaldo 
     Miguel Labrada Pena, Ricardo Enrique Silva Gual, Ricardo 
     Gonzalez Alfonso, Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Ricardo Pupo 
     Cierra, Ridel Ruiz Cabrera, Roberto Alejandro Lopez 
     Rodriguez, Rolando Jimenez Posada, Santiago Adrian Simon 
     Palomo, Saul Lista Placeres, Tomas Ramos Rodriguez, Vicente 
     Coll Campaniony, Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, Virgilio 
     Mantilla Arango, Yosbel Gonzalez Plaza, Felipe Alberto 
     Laronte Mirabal, Rene Montes de Oca Martija, Adolfo Lazaro 
     Bosq Hinojosa, Alberto Martinez Fernandez, Alexander Roberto 
     Fernandez Rico.
       Amado Idelfonso Ruiz Moreno, Andres Sabon Lituanes, Angel 
     R. Eireo Rodriguez, Ariel Fleitas Gonzalez, Ariel Ramos 
     Acosta (Hijo), Arnaldo Nicot Roche, Augusto Cesar San Martin 
     Albistur, Anita la de Chaviano, Augusto Guerra Marquez, 
     Candido Terry Carbonell, Carlos Alberto Dominguez, Carlos 
     Alberto Dominguez, Carlos Brizuela Yera, Carlos Brizuela 
     Yera, Carlos Israel Anaya Velazquez, Carlos Miguel Lopez 
     Santos, Carmelo Diaz Fernandez, Carmelo Diaz Fernandez, Dania 
     Rojas Gongora, Delio Laureano Requejo Rodriguez, Edel Jose 
     Garcia Diaz, Edel Jose Garcia Diaz, Emilio Leyva Perez, 
     Enrique Dieguez Rivera, Enrique Garcia Morejon, Antonio 
     Marcelino Garcia Morejon, Ernesto Duran Rodriguez, Francisco 
     Godar Marino, Froilan Menas Albrisas, Guillermo Farinas 
     Hernandez, Guillermo Renato Rojas Sanchez, Humberto Acosta 
     Yorka, Humberto Eladio Real Suarez, Idelfonso Batista Cruz, 
     Inocente Martinez Rodriguez, Jesus Adolfo Reyes Sanchez, 
     Alejandro Mustafa Reyes, Joaquin Barriga San Emeterio, Jorge 
     Hanoi Alcala Gorrita, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, Jorge Olivera 
     Castillo, Jorge Olivera Castillo, Jose Alberto Castro 
     Aguilar, Jose Arosmin Diaz Kolb, Jose Lorenzo Perez Fidalgo, 
     Jose Miguel Martinez Hernandez, Jose Patricio Armas Garcia.
       Juan Carlos Fonseca Fonseca, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leyva, 
     Juan Luis Corrales Perez, Juan Pedoso Esquivel, Juan Ramirez 
     Gonzalez, Juan Rodriguez Leon, Julio A. Valdes Guevara, 
     Lazaro Iglesias Estrada, Lazaro Miguel Rodriguez Capote, 
     Leobanis Manresa Osoria, Leonardo Corria Amaya, Leonardo M. 
     Bruzon Avila, Lexter Tellez Castro, Luis Alberto Martinez 
     Rodriguez, Luis Campos Corrales, Manuel Vazquez Portal, 
     Manuel Vazquez Portal, Marcelo Lopez Banobre, Margarito 
     Broche Espinosa, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Migdalia 
     Hernandez Enamorado, Migdalis Ponce Casanova, Miguel Angel 
     Gata Perez, Miguel Sigler Amaya, Miguel Sigler Amaya, Miguel 
     Valdes Tamayo, Noel Ramos Rojas, Normando Perez Alvarez, 
     Ociel Olivares Tito, Reinaldo Hernandez 02/05/05, Omar Wilson 
     Estevez Real, Orlando Fundora Alvarez, Oscar Mario Gonzalez 
     Perez, Oscar Espinosa Chepe, Osvaldo Alfonso Valdes, Pedro 
     Pablo Alvarez Ramos, Rafael Perera Gomez, Ramon Herrera 
     Corcho, Raul Rivero Castaneda, Raydel Ramirez Valdes, Raul 
     Arencivia Fajardo, Ricardo Ramos Pereira, Ricardo Rodriguez 
     Borrego, Roberto de Miranda Hernandez, Roberto Esquijerosa 
     Chirino, Roberto Montero Tamayo, Rodolfo Barthelemy Coba.
       Rogelio Ramos Prado, Rolando Corrales Martinez, Ulises 
     Manresa Osoria, Victor Bresler Cisneros, Victor Campa 
     Almarales, Virgilio Marante Guelmes, Yoel Vazquez Perez, 
     Rolando Ferrer Espinosa, Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina, Julio 
     Cesar Morales Gonzalez, Roberto Bruno Fonseca Guevara, 
     Abelardo Cesar Cordero Perez, Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, 
     Alejandro Gonzalez Raga, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, Alfredo M. 
     Pulido Lopez, Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Paneque, Fabio Prieto 
     Llorente, Hector Maceda Gutierrez, Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, 
     Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, 
     Julio Cesar Galvez Rodriguez, Lexter Tellez Castro, Mario 
     Enrique Mayo Hernandez, Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, Mijail 
     Barzaga Lugo, Normando Hernandez Gonzalez, Omar Moises 
     Hernandez Ruiz, Omar Rodriguez Saludes, Pablo Pacheco Avila, 
     Pedro Arguelles Moran, Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Victor 
     Rolando Arroyo Carmona.

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to just 
first commend the two individuals who have brought this resolution 
forward, two individuals who have a history of fighting for human 
rights around the world. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. 
Boozman) for his leadership. Once again, those who are oppressed can 
always count on the gentleman from Arkansas, and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), a person who is, again, a hero to so many 
around the world, particularly to those who cannot speak up, cannot 
speak out, like we are able to do here. I thank him for his leadership. 
It is a privilege to serve with him.
  A lot has been said about why this resolution is needed. My colleague 
from Florida just mentioned the response that the European Union has 
had to this latest crackdown. A deplorable response, a response which 
is the definition of appeasement, if there ever was one.
  It is wonderful to see, though, Mr. Speaker, that this Congress, once 
again, stands up with those who are seeking freedom, but who do not 
have it. This Congress once again is saying, no, we are not going to 
stay silent, we are going to speak up for those who cannot speak up, we 
are going to speak up for those who are in prison.
  We do not forget that just 90 miles away from the shores of the 
United States there is a dictatorship, a tyranny that is not only 
corrupt, that is not only on the list of terrorist nations, those 
nations that sponsor terrorism, that is not only a dictatorship who 
sponsors narco trafficking, which also is a dictatorship who practices 
apartheid against its own people, and who murders not only its own 
people, but also has over the years murdered numerous Americans. We 
recall, we recall as one of the many examples that I can talk about 
today, when that dictatorship shot down two American airplanes.
  So how appropriate then that this Congress, this symbol of freedom 
around the world is, once again, speaking out for those who cannot, is 
once

[[Page H8412]]

again remembering those who are being tortured in prison and, I think, 
also shows that once again, yes, this is the beacon of freedom. We 
understand that others are suffering. We do not forget. And, we know 
that one day the Cuban people will be able to speak up, though they are 
not able to do it right now, they will be able to speak for themselves, 
because they will not be imprisoned forever.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, Cuba is a country that has a 
people with a diverse culture, a rich heritage, a people who came as 
pioneers, people who came and sought their freedom and built a future. 
This rich and diverse history was suppressed 46 years ago under a dark 
veil of Communist rejection of all freedom, of rights, of dignity and 
liberty of the individual.
  I think it is important that this resolution pass, and I rise today 
in its support. I cannot stress enough how important it is that human 
rights and human dignity be afforded to the citizens of Cuba who live 
in oppression under a brutal, tyrannical dictator who cares more for 
his own power and the advancement of his family and his cronies than 
his citizens who are starving and are neglected of the basic rights and 
privileges and necessities that we take for granted in this country.
  He stands against those things that we represent, and my family has 
seen that firsthand. My wife Pat has helped many Cuban families who 
have made literally the pilgrimage to freedom, in a heartbreaking 
decision to leave their home country, to leave all that they love, lose 
all of their worldly possessions, except for their dignity, their self 
respect, their faith and, ultimately, maintaining cohesiveness in their 
family, to come seek a new life here, awaiting that day when they may 
return to their land and live in freedom.
  Unfortunately, some in the international community see fit to 
recognize Fidel Castro as a power with whom to negotiate and placate. 
We must remember one thing. Still, today, even in old age, he is a 
dangerous man. He is an enemy of freedom and has sought on many 
continents to suppress that throughout his entire career of leadership 
of his tyrannical government. He is a suppresser of faith, the ability 
of his people and peoples elsewhere to express their faith in God, to 
practice their religion and, ultimately, he is an enemy of the future, 
an enemy of freedom in this hemisphere of no greater value than anyone 
else.
  On July 14, the government of France invited Castro to the French 
Embassy in Havana to celebrate Bastille Day, but courageous members of 
Cuba's democratic opposition were not invited, so they chose to 
peacefully protest the French decision. On the morning of the protest, 
Cuban security forces stormed the homes of those planning to 
demonstrate and arrested at least 20. This type of dictatorial behavior 
cannot be tolerated for any length of time whatsoever. Think about it: 
a dictator invited to a celebration of liberation of people and, at the 
same time, suppressing his own people from peacefully expressing their 
views. It is illogical and it is illogical for the French to accept 
this.
  For too long, the international community has danced around Castro 
and his Communist state, while the people live in oppression or risk 
their lives attempting to escape. It is not just the 20 individuals who 
were simply planning to protest who were arrested. Protestant 
Christians in Cuba are facing new regulations on house churches that 
can restrict religious freedom.
  In order to suppress one house church, I know personally of a case 
where a pastor was arrested on the pretext of practicing medicine 
without a license simply because he prayed for one of his parishioners 
in the house church.
  Imagine for a moment a place where the government supervises church 
services, and if an agent of the government arbitrarily decides that 
the church is breaking government regulations, it can shut it down. 
Imagine also a place where the government say that two house churches 
of the same denomination cannot exist within a mile and a half of each 
other, and imagine a place where human rights activists are taken into 
custody for simply commemorating the tragic deaths of 35 people who 
were killed when the boat they were fleeing in was rammed by 
authorities. Imagine all of that, and you will be imagining Castro's 
Cuba.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
critical and important resolution for the message that it sends.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Ranking Member Lantos 
and Chairman Hyde for their leadership and such a bipartisan effort for 
these human rights issues. Again, we truly appreciate their leadership.
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, the Justice Department is entrusted with one 
of the most sacred rights of American citizenship--protecting the right 
to privacy.
  The privacy rights of my constituents at Moss Landing Harbor on the 
central coast of California were recently violated under the guise of 
``homeland security.''
  At 10:30 at night, Coast Guard members armed with M-16 rifles 
approached docked boats, woke my constituents up, and boarded and 
searched their boats.
  When asked why they were subject to these searches, the officers 
cited safety, ``homeland security'' and allegedly the PATRIOT Act.
  The PATRIOT Act does not give the Coast Guard the right to violate 
the privacy of law-abiding citizens. It is exactly these kinds of 
abuses that prove why we should not be making PATRIOT Act provisions 
permanent.
  As we reauthorize the Department of Justice today, we must be mindful 
of our obligation to uphold the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  The U.S. cherishes the rule of Law and the protection of civil 
liberties.
  Unlawful search and seizure in the name of Homeland Security is 
Homeland insecurity.

               [From the Monterey Herald, Sept. 18, 2005]

                  Coast Guard Overboard With Searches

       Coast Guard officers apparently were on firm ground legally 
     when they randomly boarded and inspected nearly 30 boats 
     docked in Monterey Bay during the Labor Day weekend, but that 
     doesn't make it right.
       An officer with the Coast Guard's Monterey division said 
     the operation, carried out with the Monterey County Sheriff's 
     Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was directed 
     at ensuring boating safety during the busiest boating weekend 
     of the year. And officers found problems worthy of citation, 
     including lack of flotation and fire-extinguishing devices.
       But some boaters who were subject to the inspections had 
     legitimate complaints. Two who contacted the Herald said 
     their boats were boarded after 10:30 p.m. and that officers 
     arrived carrying M-16 rifles. Some of the boats were live-
     aboards, making the inspections comparable to having law 
     enforcement officers show up at homes on dry land for a 
     random search with no probable cause--something banned under 
     the Constitution.
       Officials said U.S. Code and maritime law give them 
     authority for inspections and searches on Federal waters and 
     the waterways that lead to them. But surprised area 
     harbormasters and boating enthusiasts said they've never 
     before seen random, door-to-door inspections. One called it 
     ``pretty preposterous.'' Another described it as ``a little 
     scary.''
       The Coast Guard said the officers weren't responding to any 
     particular law enforcement report or threat. So why start 
     this intrusive practice now? Because they can isn't a good 
     enough answer. Maybe it's time, instead, to shore up maritime 
     law and bring it more in line with the protections we enjoy 
     on land.
       Andy Turpin, senior editor of Latitude 38, a popular 
     sailing magazine in Marin County, said the gaps are 
     significant.
       ``All the things we take for granted when we're living 
     ashore go out the window with maritime law,'' Turpin said. 
     ``It's all based on a big-vessel context. There's very little 
     legislation,'' that has to do with smaller vessels and live-
     aboard boats.
       Lt. Mark Warren of the Monterey Coast Guard Station said in 
     light of some of the criticisms, his agency may rethink 
     future, similar actions.
       ``We take lessons and learn from these types of operations. 
     If the public is genuinely distasteful of it, we might not do 
     it,'' he said.
       Part of the Coast Guard's aim was to increase public 
     awareness of its role as a law enforcement agency. Mission 
     accomplished--but in an unnecessarily intrusive way. We 
     depend on the Coast Guard for law enforcement on open seas. 
     We're grateful for the role it plays in search-and-rescue 
     operations. And we appreciate its efforts to make sure the 
     boats on the bay are in safe condition.
       But random, dockside boardings are going overboard and 
     should be discontinued.

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 388, Condemn 
Cuban Repression.
  It is ironic that Congress is busy condemning Cuban President Fidel 
Castro for violating human rights when President George W. Bush, Vice 
President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney 
General Alberto Gonzales and other members

[[Page H8413]]

of the administration have endorsed the perpetual detention and torture 
of over 500 detainees held by the United States military in Guantanamo 
Bay, Cuba.
  Until the United States' foreign policy matches its rhetoric, no 
country should take these resolutions seriously.
  I also oppose this resolution because it singles out and criticizes 
the European Union for its policies towards Cuba. Again, the United 
States hypocrisy is on show for the world. As Congress complains about 
foreign governments having commercial relations with the communist 
Cuban government, this same Congress has the audacity to pass free 
trade agreements and expand commercial relations with the communist 
government of China. Recent history shows that the Chinese government 
has consistently repressed its citizens. However, I have not seen one 
recent resolution condemning the Chinese government for its human 
rights abuses.
  Further, the embargo of Cuba has been a failed policy that has only 
strengthened Fidel Castro's authority. For Congress to encourage other 
countries to implement a policy that has not worked for 40 years is as 
misguided as hiring a horse lawyer to run the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, FEMA.
  I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution. If this 
Congress wants to be respected for its opposition against human rights 
abuses, then the government it should be condemning first for its 
practices is our own.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation and I want to thank my good friend, Representative Lincoln 
Diaz-Balart, for introducing it.
  I wish I could say I was surprised when the Castro regime again 
arrested members of the Cuban opposition this July. But I wasn't.
  In Cuba, every opposition member, human rights activist, or citizen 
who takes any step towards democracy is deemed a threat to the Cuban 
regime. These opposition members must live under a constant threat of 
arrest and persecution for themselves, and their families.
  In Cuba, we see a persistent, long-term, calculated, and strategic 
abuse of human rights aimed at keeping any opposition from succeeding 
in Cuba.
  Cuba remains the only dictatorship in our Hemisphere, and Castro must 
repress the opposition to stay in power.
  In July 2005, Castro arrested 24 human rights activists for simply 
remembering those who had been killed by the regime in 1994. And he 
arrested many more later that month who were simply planning on 
attending a peaceful protest--they hadn't even actually attended the 
event yet.
  But this is not the only recent example of Castro's brutal 
repression. In March 2003, the Cuban regime conducted one of the most 
repressive and violent actions against dissidents in recent history. We 
all remember how, with no provocation, 75 political dissidents were 
subjected to a farcical judicial process and imprisoned for nothing 
more than expressing a point of view not sanctioned by the Castro 
regime.
  In May of this year, Cuban opposition leaders organized an historic 
Assembly on the 103rd Anniversary of Cuban independence. When we had 
the opportunity to recognize that Assembly here in this committee, I 
specifically said that we opposed any attempt by the Castro regime to 
repress or punish the organizers and participants of the Assembly, as 
Castro has done with so many others who have spoken out against 
repression.
  I also made it clear to the Cuban opposition witnesses in our hearing 
in the subcommittee in March that we expected no retaliation against 
them for their work on behalf of freedom or for their participation in 
our hearing.
  Unfortunately, it is my understanding that all three of those 
witnesses were then arrested during the July crackdown. While Martha 
Beatriz Roque and Felix Bonne were subsequently released, I believe 
that Rene Gomez Manzano remains in prison.
  Given the recent arrests, I am still deeply concerned for the safety 
of all those who participated in the May Assembly and those who 
testified before this Committee.
  Hundreds of political prisoners remain in Castro's jails today, and 
the world has recognized these injustices.
  In March 2005, Amnesty International released a report on Cuba called 
Prisoners of Conscience: 71 Longing for Freedom. In this report, 
Amnesty states that they believe that, ``the charges are politically 
motivated and disproportionate to the alleged offenses'' and 
specifically note reports of ill-treatment and harsh conditions 
suffered by the prisoners of conscience.
  Unfortunately, my friends in the European Union appear to have been 
deceived by Castro's conditional release of a few prisoners last year. 
I cannot understand why else they would think there was a reason to 
soften their diplomatic approach towards Cuba.
  Instead of rewarding Cuba for pretending to take steps towards 
upholding fundamental civil rights, we should call for the 
unconditional release of all political prisoners in Cuba. I certainly 
hope that the European Union will review its policy towards Cuba, as is 
called for in this resolution.
  And I hope that other multinational organizations, such as the UN 
Commission on Human Rights, join the rest of the world in strongly 
condemning the most recent crackdown in July by passing a strongly 
worded resolution against these violations of human and civil 
liberties, as is also called for in this resolution.
  I know Members do not always agree with one another on issues 
relating to Cuba. And I know that this is, for many of us, a very 
personal issue.
  But I also know that every one of my colleagues should be willing--
and proud--to vote for this resolution, which simply states that the 
gross human rights violations committed by the Cuban regime are 
abhorrent.
  Every one of my colleagues should be willing, and proud, to vote for 
the right of the Cuban people to exercise fundamental political and 
civil liberties that we enjoy here in the United States.
  To my brothers and sisters who suffer in Castro's jails, to their 
families and friends both here in the United States and Cuba, and to 
the Cuban people, I say that Castro will not succeed in his vain 
attempt to suppress the spirit of the Cuban people. I look forward to 
the day, which is coming soon, when we will all celebrate a free and 
democratic Cuba. It is the spirit of the Cuban human rights activists 
and their courage that will ultimately be Castro's downfall.
  So I ask each of you to join me in voting yes for this resolution.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 388.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________