[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF CUBA AND AGAINST THE CASTRO REGIME

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today is Cuba Solidarity Day, marking the 
anniversary of Cuba's independence from Spain. It has now become a day 
when people across the world stand with the people of Cuba who are 
waiting for their day of freedom from 50 years of brutal communist 
repression.
  Last month President Obama reversed the course of American policy 
towards Cuba, one of only four state sponsors of terrorism. America is 
a beacon of hope, and we should resist funding Castro's regime or 
turning a blind eye to their atrocities against the Cuban people.
  Those wanting to increase trade with Cuba should be reminded that all 
money flows through Cuba's state-owned monopoly, and they don't pay 
their bills. Cuba has defaulted on more than $30 billion of its 
obligations.
  Easing sanctions on Cuba does not make economic or humanitarian 
sense. It only lines the pockets of the Castro brothers who want to 
hold onto their power by suppressing their people.
  Today I am introducing a resolution to restore the sanctions on Cuba. 
The Cuban people deserve our support and continued condemnation of the 
Castro regime.
  I encourage all my colleagues to honor Cuba Solidarity Day and stand 
with the Cuban people by cosponsoring my resolution.

                          ____________________