[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 144 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H8023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN CUBA

  (Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FLAKE. Madam Speaker, as we commemorate the seventh anniversary 
of 9/11; we should know that there is a humanitarian disaster unfolding 
in the Caribbean, in particular, in the country of Cuba hit twice now, 
one by Gustav and then by Ike. The island is in dire straits, and the 
people there need our help. The problem is, currently the restrictions 
on travel and sending gift parcels are so extreme that Americans and 
family members of people in Cuba cannot help them.
  I will be introducing legislation today to lift temporarily the 
restriction on gift parcels. Currently, gift parcels sent by family 
members to other family members in Cuba cannot even contain clothing, 
hygiene kits, or medical supplies, and that is simply wrong. We 
shouldn't have that restriction. It should be lifted, if not 
completely, at least temporarily.
  Also, certain humanitarian licenses can be obtained now, but it takes 
a long time generally for that to happen. I would call on the Bush 
administration to expedite licensing of humanitarian groups, churches, 
and others who want to help the good people of Cuba.

                          ____________________