[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ILIANA CURRA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History 
Month, I rise today to honor Ms. Iliana Curra, a Cuban patriot who is 
the epitome of a freedom fighter. Her life's story has been one of 
hardship but has also been one of valor.
  Ms. Curra was born in 1959 in Regla, Havana during a year of great 
turmoil in Cuba. As a result, she was unable to complete High School 
and began working at the young age of seventeen as a secretary. At this 
time, her political problems also began. She was transferred from one 
job to the next and cast as ``disloyal,'' commonly done to those who 
opposed the regime.
  On July 16, 1992, she was arrested and detained for 84 days at the 
Headquarters of State Security, known as Villa Marista, for spreading 
``propaganda.'' Upon her release, Ms. Curra courageously joined the 
opposition, the National Agenda Movement. After several arbitrary 
arrests, she was sentenced to three years in the Women's Correctional 
Facility for her political beliefs and associations. During this time, 
Ms. Curra witnessed horrendous and inhumane treatment. After completing 
her sentence, Ms. Curra was exiled from Cuba and began a new life in 
Miami, Florida.
  In 1998, a year after her release, Ms. Curra started working for the 
freedom of Cuba. She began sharing her firsthand experiences of human 
rights abuses in Cuba, and continued fighting against the tyrannical 
Castro regime. Her life's mission will not cease until the Cuban people 
are truly free.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Iliana Curra for her 
continued service to the South Florida community, and solidarity with 
the Cuban people. A true advocate for democracy and human rights, she 
dedicates every second of her life to freedom and justice. She is an 
inspiration not only to women, but to all of us. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing this outstanding individual, and wish Ms. Curra 
continued success and happiness in the future.

                          ____________________