[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S3749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LAS PLANTADAS

 Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Las 
Plantadas, a group of women incarcerated for resisting the dictatorial 
regime of Cuba for nearly half a century. The National Association of 
Cuban American Women will gather on Saturday, March 24, 2007, to honor 
a group of Las Plantadas--Ana Lazara Rodriguez, Miriam Ortega, Genoveva 
Felixgraw, Clara Berta Canton Gomez, Olga Morgan and Gladys B. 
Campaneria Herrera--with the Elena Mederos Award during a Women's 
History Month Celebration at Schuetzen Park, in North Bergen, NJ.
  The Elena Mederos Award was instituted by the National Association of 
Cuban American Women in memory of Dr. Elena Mederos, 1900-1981, a human 
rights activist, who is considered the most prominent Cuban woman of 
the 20th Century.
  Ana Lazara Rodriguez, a doctor, was imprisoned when she was a 19-
year-old medical student for participating in protests against the 
Cuban dictatorship. She was released in 1979 and traveled to the United 
States via Costa Rica. In May 1995, she published ``Diary of a 
Survivor,'' a book detailing her experiences while incarcerated.
  Miriam Ortega was born in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. She was imprisoned 
for 18 years for working against the Castro regime. She was released 
and moved to the United States, where she continues in her 
determination to fight for a free Cuba.
  Clara Berta Canton Gomez was born in Havana, Cuba. In 1962, State 
security agents searched the home of her parents seeking her brother 
who was involved in efforts against the Castro regime. Because they did 
not speak against their family member, Clara and her parents were 
incarcerated and sentenced to serve 30 years in prison. Released after 
7 years, Clara has dedicated her time to fight for the release of 
political prisoners. She dreams of returning to see a free Cuba.
  Olga Morgan was born in Santa Clara, Las Villas. When she was working 
against the Batista dictatorship, she met her husband, William 
Alexander Morgan, with whom she has two children, Olguita and Loretta. 
Olga and her husband were imprisoned in 1960 and 1961. Her husband was 
executed with the regime proclaiming both he and Olga a ``high risk for 
the revolution.'' Olga was released in 1971, and after being denied a 
travel document in 1978, she reached the shores of the United States in 
the 1980 Mariel boatlift.
  Gladys B. Campaneria Herrera was born in Matanzas and raised in 
Havana. Between 1959 to 1963 she fought against the Castro regime, for 
which she was arrested in 1964 and sentenced to 3 years in prison. 
While she was in prison, she suffered greatly. She was released and 
moved to the United States, where she has lived in New York and worked 
in New Jersey as a reporter for various Spanish media outlets. An avid 
writer, Gladys has authored more than 150 poems and songs. She 
continues to fight for a free Cuba.
  The inspiring stories of these women, and of the nearly 3000 other 
Cuban women who have been imprisoned, tortured, and endured many 
punishments for refusing to accept a dictatorial regime are a symbol of 
the dignity and courage of women and a reminder of the need to continue 
to fight for human rights around the world.
  There is no doubt that Las Plantadas are exemplary leaders and 
profoundly committed individuals who are role models for the Nation. 
Therefore, I am pleased to pay tribute to Las Plantadas, and I know my 
colleagues will join in wishing them continued success in their quest 
for human rights and a free Cuba.

                          ____________________