[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H8058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEMANDING RELEASE OF ALAN GROSS FROM CUBAN PRISON
(Mr. ENGEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today is the second anniversary of the unfair
and brutal incarceration by the Cuban regime of Alan Gross, an American
citizen; and I urge his immediate release.
Alan Gross is 62 years old and, in a trumped-up trial, was given 15
years in prison. Alan Gross has worked in international development in
over 50 countries through the past several years and was in Cuba to aid
the tiny Jewish community with telecommunications and Internet services
when he was arrested and accused of being an American spy. This is a
new low even for the Cuban regime. This is a new low even for the
Castro brothers.
Alan Gross's wife and family need him. His mother was just diagnosed
with inoperable cancer, and his daughter was also diagnosed with
cancer. They need him back.
We demand him back. He is an American citizen, and we are watching
and the whole world is watching. Alan Gross should not be incarcerated
for doing nothing except trying to help a very tiny community in Cuba.
And I demand his immediate release.
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