[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S183-S184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE ACTIONS OF CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST
JOSE DANIEL FERRER GARCIA, AND ALL PRO-DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
ACTIVISTS, IN DEMANDING FUNDAMENTAL CIVIL LIBERTIES IN CUBA AND
SPEAKING OUT AGAINST CUBA'S BRUTAL, TOTALITARIAN COMMUNIST REGIME
Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, yesterday marked 6 months
since July 11--a day when brave Cubans all across that island marched
for democracy, cried out for freedom, and sent a clear message that the
time was up for the illegitimate communist regime.
From Havana to Santa Clara to Santiago de Cuba, the message of
``Patria y Vida!'' could be heard from the people. Cuban families and
demonstrators stood against the revolution's motto of ``Patria o
Muerte'' to once again declare that the revolution had failed.
That failed revolution promised prosperity and equality for all, but
the only equal thing about it was poverty, suffering, and oppression
for all. We watched as families gathered outside the headquarters of
the Cuban Communist Party to chant ``Cuba isn't yours!'' Their message
was clear: It is time for a new day of freedom and democracy in Cuba.
Instead of listening to the cries of their people, the communist
Cuban regime lashed out with violence and the oppression it has used
for more than 60 years to silence opposition to its reign. The regime
and its thugs kidnapped innocent democracy activists and kept others
trapped in their homes. Right now, hundreds of Cubans have been
indefinitely detained or unjustly sentenced to prison simply for
demanding basic human rights.
Some of these protesters are facing prison sentences as long as 30
years. One of them is Jose Daniel Ferrer, the leader of the pro-
democracy UNPACU group and a dedicated freedom and human rights
activist. Since his detainment, I have had the chance to talk to his
family several times. Each time we speak, the stories they tell me are
more heartbreaking.
Jose Daniel is being tortured by the communist regime in an attempt
to end his life. He is suffering from severe headaches, mouth bleeding,
malnutrition, cough, and insomnia--all products of the cruel torture
and inhumane treatment from the regime.
We can also think about Felix Navarro, another longtime freedom
activist who helps lead a pro-democracy group on the island. He was
arrested, not for demonstrating but for asking police about the status
of some of the members of his group who had been detained.
Reports indicate even young teenagers are being detained
indefinitely.
The unjust imprisonment, beatings, and torture of the Cuban people is
abhorrent. It is inhumane, and it cannot be tolerated. It is clear that
these actions stem from the regime's paralyzing fear over the freedom
movement spreading across Cuba. They are terrified that there is a new
day of freedom on the rise for the Cuban people, so they resort to
total oppression and to the silencing of any mention of independence or
freedom.
As the greatest beacon of freedom and democracy in the world, the
United States must stand against the communist regime and with the
Cuban people. I am thankful that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
Brian Nichols recently called for the immediate release of the July 11
demonstrators. Along with his calls, we need the voices of President
Biden and Secretary Blinken, and their calls need to be coupled with
action that actually pressures the illegitimate communist Cuban regime
now.
It was only a couple of weeks ago when I called the White House to
talk about the case of Jose Daniel Ferrer. The first time I called,
they asked me to leave a message, so I did. When I called the next day,
the White House hung up on me.
Throughout his entire first year in office, Joe Biden has been
shamefully silent about Cuba. Just like he does with communist China,
Biden's strategy on Cuba is to do the bare minimum. Even while the
protests were ongoing, he did nothing to alleviate the suffering of the
Cuban people.
Compare that to the Organization of American States. After I spoke
with them a few weeks ago, Secretary General Luis Almagro issued a
statement demanding the immediate release of all arbitrarily imprisoned
political prisoners. He expressed special concern for the well-being of
Jose Daniel Ferrer and urged the Cuban regime to allow a humanitarian
mission that can immediately verify the state and situation of
political prisoners in the country.
Why can't Joe Biden make that same request? Where is the President?
He has had 6 months to help provide internet to the Cuban people to
help disseminate information and help the freedom movement, but he has
done nothing. His silence is appeasement, and those of us who love
freedom will not simply sit by idly while he refuses to act.
As long as the illegitimate communist Cuban regime continues to deny
the people their freedom, democracy, and basic human rights, I am going
to fight alongside them and demand action.
Today, the Senate can do something. Today, the U.S. Senate can pass a
resolution honoring Cuban activists like Jose Daniel Ferrer, condemning
the Cuban dictatorship's repression, and calling for the international
community to stand with the Cuban people. I have introduced a
resolution that does exactly that, and it is something that everyone in
the Chamber should agree with.
I am thankful for Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Braun for
cosponsoring this resolution. I am also thankful for Mario Diaz-Balart,
Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Gimenez for introducing the
companion resolution in the House.
We must make sure our message to the Cuban people is clear: America
has not and will not forget you. We have seen your bravery and courage.
We have heard your calls for freedom. You have risked everything for
the freedom of Cubans across the island. You are an inspiration to us
all.
I ask unanimous consent to address the Senate in Spanish.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ossoff). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
(English translation of the statements made in Spanish are as
follows:)
We must make sure our message to the Cuban people is clear:
America has not and will not forget you.
We have seen your bravery and courage. We have heard your
calls for freedom.
You have risked everything for the freedom of Cubans across
the island. You are an inspiration to us all.
Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent
that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 489, which is
at the desk. I further ask that the resolution be agreed to, the
preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
The Senator from New Jersey.
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, let me
first say that I rise, in the first instance, before having heard the
Senator's remarks, to say that I have serious concerns about the junior
Senator from Florida's lack of respect for the regular order of the
Senate.
On July 11, 2021, the Cuban people took to the streets in
unprecedented protests, demanding democracy and the end of decades of
dictatorship. Subsequently, the Senate came together in unanimous
consent to pass my S. Res. 310. My bipartisan legislation expressed our
unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and called for the release
of all political prisoners detained unjustly by the Diaz-Canel regime.
My legislation was the result of bipartisan negotiations, and it was
approved unanimously by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That is
what regular order looks like, and it is a process that strengthens the
impact of our work on foreign policy when we can speak together in one
voice to promote that foreign policy, whether it is to the Cuban regime
or whether it is in any other place in the world.
Now, I need to make the point that the junior Senator from Florida
routinely disregards this process. In this particular case, not only
has this resolution not been marked up by the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, not only is it not bipartisan--as far as I know, nobody has
been offered even the
[[Page S184]]
opportunity to join it--but it hasn't even been introduced so that the
Parliamentarian would decide where it would be sent to committee for
referral for consideration. It hasn't even been introduced. It has not
received the review it deserves. In fact, it has not received any
formal review.
As I have repeatedly said as the chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, I stand ready to work with any Member--and have
done so--on initiatives that advance the national security interests of
the United States and the defense of democracy and human rights. While
there may be some urgent moments that require us to move legislation
directly to the floor, regular order exists for a reason--to facilitate
consensus and ensure that the legislation we consider on the floor
reflects the input and expertise of Senators who sit on the relevant
committees of jurisdiction.
Now, I have spent the last several days listening to my Republican
colleagues talk about the fullness of legislative debate, of not
preempting legislative debate, of not preempting prolonged legislative
debate in the context of the filibuster. Here is a piece of legislation
that hasn't even been introduced, but it is being brought directly to
the floor. How does that promote legislative debate? It doesn't. It
doesn't.
I happen to agree with the Senator about his focus here as it relates
to those who are struggling inside of Cuba to create freedom, but I
want to send a clarion message that I will not simply allow legislation
that is in the purview of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to
come directly to the floor without even an introduction, without
review, without any debate, and then believe that one will just allow
it to go through on unanimous consent. That is not how the Senate
works.
I would urge the junior Senator from Florida to consider this for
future legislative endeavors, especially as we are also concerned about
the filibuster and extended debate. Well, this is the worst example of
not having extended debate.
Lastly, I deeply disagree with the Senator's characterization--I
wasn't even going to reference it--in having listened to his remarks,
about the Biden administration. The Biden administration sanctioned
individuals in Cuba, high-ranking individuals of the Cuban military,
who have never been sanctioned before. The Biden administration led a
multilateral effort for the condemnation of what happened in Cuba as a
result of the citizens of Cuba seeking to simply redress their
grievances against the dictatorship that exists there, and brought in
countries that have never ever expressed themselves in such a way
before. The Biden administration worked with the Secretary General of
the OAS to take the strong position that the Senator referred to.
So I hate to say it, but this almost comes across as a naked,
political, partisan effort to try to promote some perspective when, in
fact, we should be embracing this together through regular order, in a
bipartisan process, which the Cuban people, particularly those
suffering inside of Cuba, deserve. However, because of this particular
moment and at this particular time and having given the Senator good
notice about other future endeavors--this is not the first time--I will
not object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 489) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
(The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I am glad to see this resolution
pass.
I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Braun,
for cosponsoring this resolution and Congressman Diaz-Balart,
Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Gimenez for supporting this
resolution in the House.
In my roles as a U.S. Senator and the Governor of Florida, I have had
the honor of meeting and speaking with countless Cubans who have risked
their lives to flee Castro's brutal regime. Many of them came here with
nothing, scarred by the oppression of the regime but hopeful for a new
life. With what little they had, they started businesses and families
and built thriving communities and are a major part of the economy of
Florida.
We have all seen their resolve to fight for freedom, support their
families, and contribute to their communities. They are an example of
the American dream and a testimony to the ills of communism and
socialism. The Cuban people are a source of inspiration for all of us.
They show us what can be accomplished when you have freedom and
opportunity.
That is why we continue to fight for the end of communism in Cuba and
for the freedom and liberties of every Cuban family. It is why we
should all join them and say ``Abajo la Dictadura!'' ``Patria, vida y
Libertad!''
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