[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H8587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  CUBA

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the humanitarian aid 
situation in Cuba. Earlier this month, Cuba was struck by Hurricanes 
Gustav and Ike, which devastated the lives of about 11 million citizens 
of Cuba.
  These hurricanes wiped out towns and destroyed about 500,000 homes, 
crops, roads, electrical service, water and other key infrastructure on 
that island. It's estimated that the damage will be anywhere from 4 to 
$10 billion. I just happened to be in south Florida this weekend and 
heard from many in the community, many Cuban Americans, who don't like 
the politics there, but understand that there has to be something done.
  But because of a travel restriction implemented by the Bush 
administration in 2004, Cuban Americans in the United States are unable 
to send money back home or even travel. They are restricted by that 
travel. These restrictions do not reflect, in my opinion, the family 
values upon which our Nation was founded. Instead, they unfairly target 
families in need of this dire assistance.
  We must temporarily lift these travel restrictions and remittances so 
that money can go to those families that are in so desperate need of 
assistance at this time. I ask for at least a temporary lifting of 
travel and remittances for at least 3 months.

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