[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING EVELYN GROSS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of 
Evelyn Gross who died on June 18th in Plano, Texas at the age of 92 
after a long battle with lung cancer.
  Evelyn Gross was the mother of Alan Gross, the subcontractor for the 
U.S. Agency for International Development, who has been imprisoned in 
Cuba for the last four and a half years for working to increase 
Internet access for Cuba's small Jewish community.
  Evelyn Gross's last wish was to see her son before she died, but 
despite repeated pleas for a humanitarian furlough to visit her, the 
Cuban officials refused to grant Alan's request to do so.
  As the end of her life approached, in a fit of desperation, Alan went 
on a hunger strike to protest the failure of both governments to 
resolve this issue and free him. At his mother's urging, Alan stopped 
the hunger strike after nine days.
  Judy Gross, Alan's wife said that the death of Evelyn Gross was a 
devastating blow to Alan, who was extremely close to his mother and was 
already in a fragile state.
  Before his arrest, Alan spoke to her twice a day by phone. We are all 
very worried about how he is coping with her death.
  Judy Gross fears that her husband will sink deeper into depression 
and give up all hope of ever coming home.
  She worries that the pain of not being able to see his mother before 
her passing could start Alan down a dangerous path of destructive 
behavior.
  Before the death of Evelyn Gross, many of Alan's friends had already 
grown deeply concerned about Alan's physical and emotional well being.
  Alan lives confined in a small prison cell 23 hours a day with two 
other inmates. Until recently, prison officials kept the lights on in 
the cell 24 hours a day.
  Weakened by the prospect of having to serve out a 15-year prison 
sentence under these conditions, Alan's health and emotional state have 
suffered. He has lost over 100 pounds, he suffers from chronic pain, 
and his loss of hope and increasing despondency have caused those who 
love him to fear that he is at risk of losing his will to live.
  When Alan turned 65 last month, he swore that it would be his last 
birthday in prison. He said he was determined to come home, alive or 
dead.
  I am taking the floor today to urge the Government of Cuba to free 
Alan Gross and for President Obama to do everything he can to obtain 
his release.
  I fear for what might happen if nothing is done soon to free Alan 
Gross.

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