[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E429-E430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ESSAY BY GRANT DENTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that 
sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice 
to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the 
importance of being an active participant in the political process. 
Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics 
and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Grant Dentry attends Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The 
essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the past 
year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country.

       For 54 years, the United States and Cuba have been hostile 
     towards each other. The hostility stemmed from close 
     diplomatic relations formed between Cuba and the USSR against 
     the United States during the Cold War era. However, as of 
     December 17, 2014 Barack Obama and Cuba's current leader Raul 
     Castro agreed to normalize the relations between each other 
     and lift restrictions placed on travel, trade and diplomatic 
     embassies.
       Reuniting the alliance of the United States and Cuba is now 
     called ``The Cuban Thaw''. This is a significant event 
     because it ends the last of the conflict and tensions from 
     the Cold War which ended in 1991. This event should help both 
     countries because we will soon be able to trade freely with 
     each other which helps boost both economies. Also, the House 
     of Senate removed Cuba from the United States State Sponsor 
     of Terrorism list and the United States returned five Cuban 
     prisoners after they returned two of our prisoners. Both 
     governments have allowed visitation between the two countries 
     and are positioned to lift the ban on financial transactions 
     between banks. Cruise lines have also been approved by both 
     governments as well as commercial flights between the 
     countries which is expected to bolster tourism. U.S. 
     telecommunications companies are now allowed in Cuba which 
     will help their infrastructure, although many Cubans may not 
     be able to afford cell phones yet. Reuniting with Cuba may 
     also help to soften and eliminate their communist ways of 
     government. Because of these two countries cooperating with 
     each other again, it builds a better reputation for the U.S. 
     and helps expand our global networking and economic power. 
     Many American business owners can now expand their markets to 
     include Cuba which is a short distance from the Florida 
     coast. The United States is now open to Cubans who want to 
     expand their business into the U.S. which will greatly help 
     Cuba and create new jobs in both countries.
       Due to this new alliance, both countries can become 
     stronger and benefit from each other through mutual trade, 
     travel and business. It is a major boost to the U.S. economy 
     because we can import and export with Cuba at a low cost due 
     to the close proximity. The improved business activity and 
     restored diplomatic relations with a close neighbor is good 
     for the United States and the world.

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