[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S4078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CUBAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate the 108th 
anniversary of Cuba's independence. On May 20, 1902, after a long and 
bitter struggle, the people of Cuba established a democratic Republic. 
Today, the Cuban people are again fighting for democratic change and 
independence in their homeland.
  On this day, we honor Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who died this year after 
a prolonged hunger strike while protesting his inhumane treatment at 
the hands of the Cuban prison authorities. We stand in solidarity with 
the Ladies in White, including Zapata Tamayo's mother Reina Luisa 
Tamayo, who through their quiet dignity, continue to call the world's 
attention to the arrests of their fathers, husbands, and brothers for 
exercising free speech and daring to challenge the regime. We also 
recognize the contributions of Cuba's journalists, bloggers, and 
activists, who undertake great personal risk to tell the world about 
the realities of life in Cuba.
  The legacy of Cuban independence endures with these heroes past and 
present, who fight against the forces of repression and totalitarianism 
for the promise of a free and democratic society. Now more than ever, 
the U.S. and the international community must press the Cuban regime to 
free all political prisoners. On behalf of the people of Florida and 
all Americans, we stand in solidarity with the Cuban people in their 
struggle in the hope that one day freedom of expression and basic 
liberty are possible in Cuba without the fear of persecution.

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