[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REGARDING THE IMPRISONMENT OF ALAN GROSS

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                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep concern over the 
plight of an American citizen overseas. Today marks two years that Alan 
Gross, a 62-year old international development specialist who has 
worked for over two decades helping people in troubled areas across the 
globe, has been held in a Cuban prison.
  For the first fourteen months of his captivity, Mr. Gross was held 
without charge. In February of this year, he was charged with ``acts to 
undermine the integrity and independence'' of the State, then given a 
two-day trial and sentenced to 15 years in prison, his appeal denied.
  Mr. Gross was in Cuba on behalf of USAID. He was there to help the 
country's small Jewish community establish an intranet and improve its 
access to the internet. His presence and actions were not meant to pose 
a threat or danger to the Cuban government. Since being incarcerated, 
he has lost approximately 100 pounds, his health is deteriorating, and 
two immediate family members, his mother and daughter, have been 
diagnosed with cancer.
  His 15-year sentence is absurd, and his continuing incarceration is 
inhumane. I urge my colleagues to join me in requesting that the Cuban 
government release Mr. Gross on humanitarian grounds as quickly as is 
possible.

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