[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16] [House] [Pages 21504-21510] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]{time} 1300 EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING JULY 2005 MEASURES OF EXTREME REPRESSION ON PART OF CUBAN GOVERNMENT Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 388) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the July, 2005, measures of extreme repression on the part of the Cuban Government against members of Cuba's prodemocracy movement, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, the legalization of political parties and free elections in Cuba, urging the European Union to reexamine its policy toward Cuba, and [[Page 21505]] calling on the representative of the United States to the 62d session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to ensure a resolution calling upon the Cuban regime to end its human rights violations, and for other purposes. The Clerk read as follows: H. Res. 388 Whereas the European Union instituted measures on the Cuban Government after the Cuban Government exercised extreme repression on peaceful prodemocracy activists in 2003, but in January 2005 the European Union suspended its measures; Whereas on July 13, 2005, the Cuban Government detained 24 human rights activists who were participating in a solemn event in remembrance of the victims of the tugboat massacre of innocent civilians by the Cuban government of July 13, 1994; Whereas human rights activists Rene Montes de Oca, Emilio Leiva Perez, Camilo Cairo Falcon, Manuel Perez Soira, Roberto Guerra Perez, and Lazaro Alonso Roman remain incarcerated from the July 13, 2005, event and face trumped up charges of ``disorderly conduct''; Whereas on July 14, 2005, the Government of France invited the Cuban regime's Foreign Minister to the French Embassy in Havana for a ``Bastille Day'' celebration; Whereas members of the prodemocracy opposition in Cuba sought, on July 22, 2005, in Havana, to demonstrate in front of the French Embassy in a peaceful and orderly manner, on behalf of the liberation of all Cuban political prisoners, and to protest the current policy of the European Union toward the Cuban Government; Whereas the Cuban regime mobilized its repressive state security apparatus to intimidate and harass the peaceful demonstrators in order to prevent prodemocracy activists from reaching the French Embassy; Whereas the Cuban regime arrested and detained many who were planning on attending the peaceful protest of July 22 in front of the French Embassy, including Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Felix Antonio Bonne Carcasses, Rene Gomez Manzano, Jose Javier Baeza Dis, Maria de los Angeles Borrego, Ernesto Colas Garcia, Emma Maria Alonso Del Monte, Jose Escuredo Marrero, Uldarico Garcia, Yusimi Gil Portel, Oscar Mario Gonzalez Perez, Humberto Guerra, Luis Cesar Guerra, Julio Cesar Lopez Rodriguez, Miguel Lopez Santos, Jacqueline Montes de Oca, Raul Martinez Prieto, Ricardo Medina Salabarria, Francisco Moure Saladrigas, Georgina Noa Montes, Niurka Maria Pena Rodriguez, Luis Manuel Penalver, Pastor Perez Sanchez, Jesus Adolfo Reyes Sanchez, Gloria Cristina Rodriguez Gonzalez, Juan Mario Rodriguez Guillen, Miguel Valdes Tamayo, Santiago Valdeolla Perez, and Jesus Alejandro Victore Molina; Whereas Rene Gomez Manzano, a distinguished leader of the struggle for freedom in Cuba, and other prodemocracy activists, continue to be detained without cause; Whereas hundreds of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience languish in the Cuban regime's prisons for the crime of seeking democracy for Cuba; Whereas thousands of others languish in Cuba's totalitarian prisons accused of ``common crimes'', such as illegally attempting to leave the country and violating the norms of the totalitarian economic system, who should be recognized as prisoners of conscience because they are being jailed for attempting to exercise personal freedoms; Whereas the Cuban regime has arrested more than 400 young Cubans, from late 2004 through June of 2005, and according to the Cuban regime, the arrests were carried out as a ``measure of pre-delinquent security''; Whereas the Cuban regime has continued to repress attempts by the Cuban people to bring democratic change to the island and denies universally recognized liberties, including freedom of speech, association, movement, and the press; Whereas the Cuban Government remains designated as one of 6 state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State; Whereas the Cuban Government continues to provide safe harbor to fugitives from United States law enforcement agencies and to international terrorists; Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which establishes global human rights standards, asserts that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention; Whereas the Cuban regime engages in torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, including extended periods of solitary confinement and denial of nutritional and medical attention, according to the Department of State's Country Report on Human Rights 2004; Whereas the personal representative of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner has not been allowed by the Cuban regime to enter the island to carry out the mandate assigned by the United Nations Human Right Commission in its resolution of 2002/18 of 19 April 2002, and reaffirmed in resolutions 2003/13 of 17 April 2003, 2004/11 of 15 April 2004, and 2005/12 of 14 April 2005; and Whereas the Cuban regime continues to violate the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights, and other international and regional human rights agreements, and has violated the noted Resolutions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) condemns the gross human rights violations committed by the Cuban regime; (2) calls on the Secretary of State to initiate an international solidarity campaign on behalf of the immediate release of all Cuban political prisoners; (3) supports the right of the Cuban people to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, movement, the press, and the right to multiparty elections; (4) calls on the European Union to reexamine its current policy toward the Cuban regime, before June of 2006; and (5) calls on the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and other international organizations, to work with the member countries of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) throughout the 62d session of the UNCHR in Geneva, Switzerland, to ensure a resolution that includes the strongest possible condemnation of the July 2005 measures of extreme repression on opposition activists and of all the human rights violations committed by the Cuban regime. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman). General Leave Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 388. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) would normally be here. The gentleman is very, very concerned about this resolution and is very, very supportive of it, but he currently has a markup, a committee vote that he is in the process of doing, so, again, I have the opportunity and honor of going ahead with this in his stead. H. Res. 388 is a resolution which condemns the gross human rights violations committed by the Cuban regime and expresses support for the right of the Cuban people to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties. As a member of the Committee on International Relations, I would like to thank my colleague the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz- Balart) for introducing this resolution, which highlights the atrocious human rights violations the Cuban people continue to suffer at the hands of Castro's oppressive regime. Mr. Castro continues to hone his craft, that is to say, his systematic reign of fear and intimidation of his own population. This past July, the Castro regime renewed its efforts to stamp out the pro- democracy movement. This resolution sends a strong message to the Cuban Government that the world will not forget those people who are languishing in Cuban prisons for the so-called crime of speaking out against the injustices perpetrated by the Castro regime. Many of the dissidents arrested July remain in custody, and several of them face long sentences in prison for threatening to undermine Cuba's Communist government, according to Amnesty International and other organizations. As U.S. service men and women put their lives on the line to bring freedom and democracy to areas of the world that have long suffered in the shadow of tyranny, Cuba represents a prime example in our own hemispheres of what can happen if any nation shuns democracy and subjugates itself to the whims of dictatorship. As it stands now, Cuba is the only nation in the hemisphere that is a complete dictatorship, and since the earliest days of the regime, Castro has not only stifled efforts to promote freedom [[Page 21506]] and democracy in Cuba, but he has also actively been involved in promoting communism and dictatorships around the world, most especially in Central and South America. The fall of Castro's principal benefactor, the Soviet Union, may have caused a shift in Castro's tactics, but he has never abandoned his ambition to export communism. I am very concerned about the state of affairs in the Western Hemisphere, and I am convinced that there will never be true, lasting peace and freedom in the region until we solve the Cuba problem once and for all. The only acceptable solution is a free and democratic Cuba. I have hope there will be a day when the light of democracy shines in Havana, a day when free expression and free elections replace the current hopeless status quo. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. We owe it to the thousands of Cubans who risk their lives every year to flee the Communist regime by any means necessary, even attempting to brave the hazardous 90-mile crossing between the United States and Cuba on makeshift rafts, as well as those languishing in Cuban jails, to further open the eyes of the world community to the true evils of the Castro regime. We must never forget them. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) will control the 20 minutes. There was no objection. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my good friend and colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), for facilitating this body's consideration of the resolution. I also want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for offering this very important resolution and for his tireless battle to promote human rights in Cuba. Mr. Speaker, the manipulative tyranny of Fidel Castro continues unabated. Two months ago, Havana's security apparatus arrested over 50 human rights activists and political dissidents in two separate roundups as these individuals peacefully exercised their fundamental rights of association and expression. Many of these brave men and women remain incarcerated in rat-infested cells because of their conviction to seek freedom and democracy in Cuba. They join the hundreds of other political prisoners who have been languishing behind bars for such so- called crimes as sharing books with neighbors, reporting the news outside of government-controlled media outlets and attempting to organize independent free labor unions in Communist Cuba. Other individuals who dare to practice their professions outside of state-sanctioned avenues feel the wrath of Castro's henchmen in other sordid forms. According to international human rights groups, political repression in Cuba is manifested through the use of police warnings and constant surveillance, short-term detentions, house arrests, travel restrictions, criminal prosecutions and politically motivated dismissals from jobs. We in this House have repeatedly and forcefully denounced this oppression, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, and we have advocated for political liberalization on the island. This year, the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva joined in the chorus of voices calling attention to the injustices which continue to be inflicted upon those who toil in Castro's island prison, or, should I say, prison island. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights can and should do more. The Human Rights Commission should call upon the Castro regime to release immediately all prisoners who are incarcerated in violation of their fundamental human rights. The Human Rights Commission should demand that the Cuban Government respect the freedom of association, expression and other international human rights norms. And the Human Rights Commission should press the Castro regime to hold free and fair elections and otherwise not suppress the ability of Cuban citizens to exercise their fundamental political rights. Although the commission is not scheduled to meet again until early next year, much of the preparatory work that is necessary to secure a strong resolution on Cuba should be occurring now. Cuban emissaries reportedly have colluded with their like-minded brethren from Venezuela, Burma, Turkmenistan, Syria and other countries with very questionable human rights records to block proposed reforms to the commission that would give it the credibility and the institutional capability that it sorely lacks. Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that the community of real democracies will no longer allow those countries which flagrantly break the rules to sit in judgment of their own abhorrent practices. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and, therefore, send a signal to our friends in New York and Havana that we are with them in their struggle against tyranny and oppression. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), the original sponsor of the resolution. Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank, first of all, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman), who has been so kind to bring forth this resolution today as a distinguished member of the Committee on International Relations and as a great friend and supporter of human rights throughout the world, including in that oppressed island just 90 miles from our shores. The gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), when I first arrived in this Congress in January 1993, that same month I was able to witness firsthand the man who has devoted his entire life to defending those who cannot defend themselves, and since that very month, my admiration that I already had for him has grown ceaselessly. I thank him for, once again, coming forth here in this hall and speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. The resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, calls for the liberation of each and every one of the thousands, really, unknown is the number, of political prisoners in Cuba. There are hundreds recognized, identified and called ``prisoners of conscience'' by international organizations such as Amnesty International. There are thousands of others who commit so-called crimes that are not crimes anywhere else, certainly in any democratic societies, crimes like trying to feed their families, crimes like trying to leave the country, something guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. So there are countless political prisoners. The resolution before us calls for the liberation of each and every one of them, immediately; it calls for the legalization of political parties, labor unions and the press by that tyranny; and it calls for free elections, because ultimately the right of self-determination is the only right that guarantees all other human rights, and without the right of self-determination, all other human rights, when they are granted by tyrants, they are but gifts from the tyrants to people, to his people, gifts that can be withdrawn at any time. In addition, as the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) stated, this resolution remembers those who, as we speak today, as we speak, are languishing in dungeons for the so-called crime of seeking and supporting the rights that we cherish and take really for granted, and have for over 200 years in this country, and much of the world certainly takes for granted, the right to speak and the right to elect leaders in periodic elections. {time} 1315 The right to organize political parties and labor unions, and the right to free expression and to freedom of the [[Page 21507]] press, the right of association, for trying to seek those inalienable rights, people are languishing and suffering, and we remember them today. Now, just a few weeks ago, in July, when this latest round-up occurred of opposition leaders inside of Cuba, perhaps the most well- known was the very prestigious jurist Rene Gomez Manzano, as well as the other leaders of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society. A few were subsequently released at the whim of the dictator; they may be picked up at any time. Mr. Gomez Manzano remains in a cell at this time and has engaged and is engaging in a hunger strike. And there are others whose health has already deteriorated to the point where, for example, Mr. Victor Rolando Arroyo, his wife informs us today that she fears his imminent death because he is engaged in a hunger strike protesting the conditions that all political prisoners suffer each day in that oppressed island. Mr. Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique is also engaging in a hunger strike. He received a month ago, approximately a month ago, such a brutal beating inside the prison that when he protested for receiving that beating, he was put in what they call a punishment cell, as others in that prison, like Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, and others in hunger strikes like Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, like Normando Hernandez, and I will, Mr. Speaker, with your authorization, submit for the Record a list that I mentioned before is recognized by international organizations, such as Amnesty International, of hundreds of prisoners of conscience. Now, what we are also doing in this resolution is asking the European Union, because they, in response to this series of crackdowns that the dictatorship has engaged in against the pro-democracy movement, the European Union has, in its wisdom, Mr. Speaker, following the advice and consent of Mr. Zapatero, the Prime Minister of Spain, has decided to appease the dictatorship even more. And the few sanctions that the European Union had, political sanctions they called them, for example, inviting the dissidents to receptions in embassies and allowing them entry into embassies to have discourse, dialogue with members of the diplomatic corps in the embassies of the European Union, those so- called sanctions were ended by the European Union under the premise and theory that they would encourage the ending of the sanctions, the dictator to be more benevolent. Well, we have seen how the dictator has responded. We are asking in this resolution for the European Union to reconsider its policy of appeasement, and we are asking also that the United Nations, in its Human Rights Commission, pass a resolution asking for the cessation of human rights violations in Cuba. So it is a very appropriate resolution. I commend, again, my colleagues who have been supportive. It is in the tradition, it stands in the tradition of this House of Representatives, this Congress that, in April of 1898, passed the resolution that is well-known in Cuban history, saying that Cuba is and, of right, ought to be free and independent, and it is in that tradition that we bring forth this resolution today, and I urge its adoption overwhelmingly by colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this day in which so many continue to suffer on that oppressed island. Brief Examples--All Information From Amnesty International Mijail Barzaga Lugo, 36; Independent Journalist; Sentence: 15 years; Date of arrest: 20 March 2003. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, 43; Human Rights Leader; Sentence: 25 years; Date of arrest: 6 December 2002. Marcelo Cano Rodriguez, 38; Medical Doctor, Human Rights Activist; Sentence: 18 years; Date of arrest: 25 March 2003. Eduardo Diaz Fleitas, 51; Farmer, Opposition Activist; Sentence: 21 years; Date of arrest: 18 March 2003. Antonio Ramon Diaz Sanchez, 41; Electrician, member of the Christian Liberation Movement; Sentence: 20 years; Date of arrest: 18 March 2003. Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, 55; Member of the United Cuban Workers Council; Sentence: 26 years; Date of arrest: 18 March 2003. ``Antunez'' Jorge Luis Garcia Perez--18 years (sentenced in 1990). Partial list of political prisoners in Cuba, provided by Plantados Hasta La Libertad De Cuba. Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, Adrian Alvarez Arencibia, Agustin Cervantes Garcia, Alejandro Cabrera Cruz, Alejandro Gonzalez Raga, Alexei Solorzano Chacon, Alexis Rodriguez Fernandez, Alexis Triana Montecino, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, Alfredo M. Pulido Lopez, Alfredo Rodolfo Dominguez Batista, Alilas Saes Romero, Alquimidez Luis Martinez, Andres Frometa Cuenca, Antonio Augusto Villareal Acosta, Antonio Ramon Diaz Sanchez, Antonio Vladimir Rosello Gomez, Ariel Aguilera Hernandez, Ariel Sigler Amaya, Armando Sosa Fortuny, Arnalda Ramos Lauzerique, Arturo Perez de Alejo Rodriguez, Arturo Suarez Ramos, Arturo Suarez Ramos, Benito Ortega Suarez, Bernardo Espinosa Hernandez, Bias Giraldo Reyes Rodriguez, Carlos Luis Diaz Fernandez, Carlos Martin Gomez, Cecilio Reinoso Sanchez, Charles Valdez Suarez, Claro Fernando Alonzo Hernandez, Claro Sanchez Altarriba, Daniel Candelario Santovenia Fernandez, Daniel Escalona Martinez, David Aguila Montero, Delvis Cespedes Reyes, Digzan Ramirez Ballester, Diosdado Gonzalez Marrero, Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Paneque, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, Duilliam Ramirez Ballester, Eduardo Diaz Castellanos. Eduardo Diaz Fleitas, Efrain Roberto Rivas Hernandez, Efren Fernandez Fernandez, Egberto Angel Escobedo Morales, Elio Enrique Chavez Ramon, Elio Terrero Gomez, Elizardo Calbo Hernandez, Enrique Santos Gomez, Ernesto Borges Perez, Ernesto Duran Rodriguez, Ezequiel Morales Carmenate, Fabio Prieto Llorente, Felix Geraldo Vega Ruiz, Felix Navarro Rodriguez, Fidel Garcia Roldan, Fidel Suarez Cruz, Francisco Herodes Diaz Echemendia, Francisco Pacheco Espinosa, Francisco Pastor Chaviano Gonzalez, Guido Sigler Amaya, Hector Larroque Rego, Hector Maceda Gutierrez, Hector Palacio Ruiz, Hector Raul Valle Hernandez, Hiran Gonzalez Torna, Horacia Julio Pina Borrego, Humberto Eladio Real Suarez, Ignacio Ramos Valdez, Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, Jesus Manuel Rojas Pineda, Jesus Mustafa Felipe, Joel Cano Diaz, Joel Perez Ozorio, Jorge Alvarez Sanchez, Jorge Gonzalez Velazquez, Jorge Luis Gonzalez Riveron, Jorge Luis Gonzalez Tanquero, Jorge Luis Martinez Roja, Jorge Luis Suarez Varona, Jorge Ozorio Vazquez, Jorge Pelegrin Ruiz, Jorge Rafael Benitez Chui, Jose Agramonte Leiva. Jose Antonio Mola Porro, Jose Benito Menendez del Valle, Jose Carlos Montero Ocampo, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Jose Enrique Santana Carreiras, Jose Diaz Silva, Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, Jose Joaquin Palma Salas, Jose Miguel Martinez Hernandez, Jose Ramon Falcon Gomez, Jose Rodriguez Herrada, Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, Juan Alfredo Valle Perez, Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, Juan Carlos Vazquez Garcia, Juan Ochoa Leyva, Julian Enrique Martinez Baez, Julian Hernandez Lopez, Julio Cesar Alvarez Lopez, Julio Cesar Galvez Rodriguez, Lazaro Alejandro Garcia Farah, Lazaro Gonzalez Adan, Lazaro Gonzalez Caraballo, Leandro Suarez Sabot, Lenin Efren Cordova, Leoncio Rodriguez Ponce, Leonel Grave de Peralta Almenares, Lester Gonzalez Penton, Librado Ricardo Linares Garcia, Luis Cabrera Ballester, Luis Elio de la Paz Ramon, Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, Luis Milan Fernandez, Manuel Ubals Gonzalez, Manuel Ubals Gonzalez, Marcelino Rodriguez Vazquez, Marcelo Cano Rodriguez, Marco Antonio Soto Morell, Marino Antomachit Rivero, Mario Enrique Mayo Hernandez, Maximo Omar Ruiz Matoses, Maximo Robaina Pradera, Miguel Diaz Bauza, Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, Mijail Barzaga Lugo, Nelson Aguiar Ramirez, Nelson Molinet Espino. Norberto Chavez Diaz, Normando Hernandez Gonzalez, Omar Moises Hernandez Ruiz, Omar Pernet Hernandez, Omar Rodriguez Saludes, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Pablo Javier Sanchez Quintero, Pablo Pacheco Avila, Pedro Arguelles Moran, Pedro de la Caridad Alvarez Pedroso, Pedro Genaro Barrera Rodriguez, Pedro Lizado Pena, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, Pedro Pablo Pulido Ortega, Prospero Gainza Aguero, Rafael Corrales Alonso, Rafael Gonzalez Ruiz, Rafael Ibarra Roque, Rafael Jorrin Garcia, Rafael Millet Leyva, Ramon Fidel Basulto Garcia, Randy Cabrera Mayor, Raul Alejandro Delgado Arias, Raumel Vinagera Stevens, Regis Iglesia Ramirez, Reinaldo Calzadilla Paz, Reinaldo Galvez Contrera, Reinaldo Miguel Labrada Pena, Ricardo Enrique Silva Gual, Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Ricardo Pupo Cierra, Ridel Ruiz Cabrera, Roberto Alejandro Lopez Rodriguez, Rolando Jimenez Posada, Santiago Adrian Simon Palomo, Saul Lista Placeres, Tomas Ramos Rodriguez, Vicente Coll Campaniony, Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, Yosbel Gonzalez Plaza, Felipe Alberto Laronte Mirabal, Rene Montes de Oca Martija, Adolfo Lazaro Bosq Hinojosa, Alberto Martinez Fernandez, Alexander Roberto Fernandez Rico. Amado Idelfonso Ruiz Moreno, Andres Sabon Lituanes, Angel R. Eireo Rodriguez, Ariel Fleitas Gonzalez, Ariel Ramos Acosta (Hijo), Arnaldo Nicot Roche, Augusto Cesar San Martin Albistur, Anita la de Chaviano, Augusto Guerra Marquez, Candido Terry Carbonell, Carlos Alberto Dominguez, Carlos [[Page 21508]] Alberto Dominguez, Carlos Brizuela Yera, Carlos Brizuela Yera, Carlos Israel Anaya Velazquez, Carlos Miguel Lopez Santos, Carmelo Diaz Fernandez, Carmelo Diaz Fernandez, Dania Rojas Gongora, Delio Laureano Requejo Rodriguez, Edel Jose Garcia Diaz, Edel Jose Garcia Diaz, Emilio Leyva Perez, Enrique Dieguez Rivera, Enrique Garcia Morejon, Antonio Marcelino Garcia Morejon, Ernesto Duran Rodriguez, Francisco Godar Marino, Froilan Menas Albrisas, Guillermo Farinas Hernandez, Guillermo Renato Rojas Sanchez, Humberto Acosta Yorka, Humberto Eladio Real Suarez, Idelfonso Batista Cruz, Inocente Martinez Rodriguez, Jesus Adolfo Reyes Sanchez, Alejandro Mustafa Reyes, Joaquin Barriga San Emeterio, Jorge Hanoi Alcala Gorrita, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, Jorge Olivera Castillo, Jorge Olivera Castillo, Jose Alberto Castro Aguilar, Jose Arosmin Diaz Kolb, Jose Lorenzo Perez Fidalgo, Jose Miguel Martinez Hernandez, Jose Patricio Armas Garcia. Juan Carlos Fonseca Fonseca, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leyva, Juan Luis Corrales Perez, Juan Pedoso Esquivel, Juan Ramirez Gonzalez, Juan Rodriguez Leon, Julio A. Valdes Guevara, Lazaro Iglesias Estrada, Lazaro Miguel Rodriguez Capote, Leobanis Manresa Osoria, Leonardo Corria Amaya, Leonardo M. Bruzon Avila, Lexter Tellez Castro, Luis Alberto Martinez Rodriguez, Luis Campos Corrales, Manuel Vazquez Portal, Manuel Vazquez Portal, Marcelo Lopez Banobre, Margarito Broche Espinosa, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Migdalia Hernandez Enamorado, Migdalis Ponce Casanova, Miguel Angel Gata Perez, Miguel Sigler Amaya, Miguel Sigler Amaya, Miguel Valdes Tamayo, Noel Ramos Rojas, Normando Perez Alvarez, Ociel Olivares Tito, Reinaldo Hernandez 02/05/05, Omar Wilson Estevez Real, Orlando Fundora Alvarez, Oscar Mario Gonzalez Perez, Oscar Espinosa Chepe, Osvaldo Alfonso Valdes, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, Rafael Perera Gomez, Ramon Herrera Corcho, Raul Rivero Castaneda, Raydel Ramirez Valdes, Raul Arencivia Fajardo, Ricardo Ramos Pereira, Ricardo Rodriguez Borrego, Roberto de Miranda Hernandez, Roberto Esquijerosa Chirino, Roberto Montero Tamayo, Rodolfo Barthelemy Coba. Rogelio Ramos Prado, Rolando Corrales Martinez, Ulises Manresa Osoria, Victor Bresler Cisneros, Victor Campa Almarales, Virgilio Marante Guelmes, Yoel Vazquez Perez, Rolando Ferrer Espinosa, Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina, Julio Cesar Morales Gonzalez, Roberto Bruno Fonseca Guevara, Abelardo Cesar Cordero Perez, Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, Alejandro Gonzalez Raga, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, Alfredo M. Pulido Lopez, Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Paneque, Fabio Prieto Llorente, Hector Maceda Gutierrez, Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, Julio Cesar Galvez Rodriguez, Lexter Tellez Castro, Mario Enrique Mayo Hernandez, Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, Mijail Barzaga Lugo, Normando Hernandez Gonzalez, Omar Moises Hernandez Ruiz, Omar Rodriguez Saludes, Pablo Pacheco Avila, Pedro Arguelles Moran, Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart). Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to just first commend the two individuals who have brought this resolution forward, two individuals who have a history of fighting for human rights around the world. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) for his leadership. Once again, those who are oppressed can always count on the gentleman from Arkansas, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), a person who is, again, a hero to so many around the world, particularly to those who cannot speak up, cannot speak out, like we are able to do here. I thank him for his leadership. It is a privilege to serve with him. A lot has been said about why this resolution is needed. My colleague from Florida just mentioned the response that the European Union has had to this latest crackdown. A deplorable response, a response which is the definition of appeasement, if there ever was one. It is wonderful to see, though, Mr. Speaker, that this Congress, once again, stands up with those who are seeking freedom, but who do not have it. This Congress once again is saying, no, we are not going to stay silent, we are going to speak up for those who cannot speak up, we are going to speak up for those who are in prison. We do not forget that just 90 miles away from the shores of the United States there is a dictatorship, a tyranny that is not only corrupt, that is not only on the list of terrorist nations, those nations that sponsor terrorism, that is not only a dictatorship who sponsors narco trafficking, which also is a dictatorship who practices apartheid against its own people, and who murders not only its own people, but also has over the years murdered numerous Americans. We recall, we recall as one of the many examples that I can talk about today, when that dictatorship shot down two American airplanes. So how appropriate then that this Congress, this symbol of freedom around the world is, once again, speaking out for those who cannot, is once again remembering those who are being tortured in prison and, I think, also shows that once again, yes, this is the beacon of freedom. We understand that others are suffering. We do not forget. And, we know that one day the Cuban people will be able to speak up, though they are not able to do it right now, they will be able to speak for themselves, because they will not be imprisoned forever. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Davis). Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, Cuba is a country that has a people with a diverse culture, a rich heritage, a people who came as pioneers, people who came and sought their freedom and built a future. This rich and diverse history was suppressed 46 years ago under a dark veil of Communist rejection of all freedom, of rights, of dignity and liberty of the individual. I think it is important that this resolution pass, and I rise today in its support. I cannot stress enough how important it is that human rights and human dignity be afforded to the citizens of Cuba who live in oppression under a brutal, tyrannical dictator who cares more for his own power and the advancement of his family and his cronies than his citizens who are starving and are neglected of the basic rights and privileges and necessities that we take for granted in this country. He stands against those things that we represent, and my family has seen that firsthand. My wife Pat has helped many Cuban families who have made literally the pilgrimage to freedom, in a heartbreaking decision to leave their home country, to leave all that they love, lose all of their worldly possessions, except for their dignity, their self respect, their faith and, ultimately, maintaining cohesiveness in their family, to come seek a new life here, awaiting that day when they may return to their land and live in freedom. Unfortunately, some in the international community see fit to recognize Fidel Castro as a power with whom to negotiate and placate. We must remember one thing. Still, today, even in old age, he is a dangerous man. He is an enemy of freedom and has sought on many continents to suppress that throughout his entire career of leadership of his tyrannical government. He is a suppresser of faith, the ability of his people and peoples elsewhere to express their faith in God, to practice their religion and, ultimately, he is an enemy of the future, an enemy of freedom in this hemisphere of no greater value than anyone else. On July 14, the government of France invited Castro to the French Embassy in Havana to celebrate Bastille Day, but courageous members of Cuba's democratic opposition were not invited, so they chose to peacefully protest the French decision. On the morning of the protest, Cuban security forces stormed the homes of those planning to demonstrate and arrested at least 20. This type of dictatorial behavior cannot be tolerated for any length of time whatsoever. Think about it: a dictator invited to a celebration of liberation of people and, at the same time, suppressing his own people from peacefully expressing their views. It is illogical and it is illogical for the French to accept this. For too long, the international community has danced around Castro and his Communist state, while the people live in oppression or risk their lives attempting to escape. It is not just the 20 individuals who were simply planning to protest who were arrested. Protestant Christians in Cuba are facing new regulations on house churches that can restrict religious freedom. In order to suppress one house church, I know personally of a case [[Page 21509]] where a pastor was arrested on the pretext of practicing medicine without a license simply because he prayed for one of his parishioners in the house church. Imagine for a moment a place where the government supervises church services, and if an agent of the government arbitrarily decides that the church is breaking government regulations, it can shut it down. Imagine also a place where the government say that two house churches of the same denomination cannot exist within a mile and a half of each other, and imagine a place where human rights activists are taken into custody for simply commemorating the tragic deaths of 35 people who were killed when the boat they were fleeing in was rammed by authorities. Imagine all of that, and you will be imagining Castro's Cuba. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical and important resolution for the message that it sends. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Ranking Member Lantos and Chairman Hyde for their leadership and such a bipartisan effort for these human rights issues. Again, we truly appreciate their leadership. Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, the Justice Department is entrusted with one of the most sacred rights of American citizenship--protecting the right to privacy. The privacy rights of my constituents at Moss Landing Harbor on the central coast of California were recently violated under the guise of ``homeland security.'' At 10:30 at night, Coast Guard members armed with M-16 rifles approached docked boats, woke my constituents up, and boarded and searched their boats. When asked why they were subject to these searches, the officers cited safety, ``homeland security'' and allegedly the PATRIOT Act. The PATRIOT Act does not give the Coast Guard the right to violate the privacy of law-abiding citizens. It is exactly these kinds of abuses that prove why we should not be making PATRIOT Act provisions permanent. As we reauthorize the Department of Justice today, we must be mindful of our obligation to uphold the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The U.S. cherishes the rule of Law and the protection of civil liberties. Unlawful search and seizure in the name of Homeland Security is Homeland insecurity. [From the Monterey Herald, Sept. 18, 2005] Coast Guard Overboard With Searches Coast Guard officers apparently were on firm ground legally when they randomly boarded and inspected nearly 30 boats docked in Monterey Bay during the Labor Day weekend, but that doesn't make it right. An officer with the Coast Guard's Monterey division said the operation, carried out with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was directed at ensuring boating safety during the busiest boating weekend of the year. And officers found problems worthy of citation, including lack of flotation and fire-extinguishing devices. But some boaters who were subject to the inspections had legitimate complaints. Two who contacted the Herald said their boats were boarded after 10:30 p.m. and that officers arrived carrying M-16 rifles. Some of the boats were live- aboards, making the inspections comparable to having law enforcement officers show up at homes on dry land for a random search with no probable cause--something banned under the Constitution. Officials said U.S. Code and maritime law give them authority for inspections and searches on Federal waters and the waterways that lead to them. But surprised area harbormasters and boating enthusiasts said they've never before seen random, door-to-door inspections. One called it ``pretty preposterous.'' Another described it as ``a little scary.'' The Coast Guard said the officers weren't responding to any particular law enforcement report or threat. So why start this intrusive practice now? Because they can isn't a good enough answer. Maybe it's time, instead, to shore up maritime law and bring it more in line with the protections we enjoy on land. Andy Turpin, senior editor of Latitude 38, a popular sailing magazine in Marin County, said the gaps are significant. ``All the things we take for granted when we're living ashore go out the window with maritime law,'' Turpin said. ``It's all based on a big-vessel context. There's very little legislation,'' that has to do with smaller vessels and live- aboard boats. Lt. Mark Warren of the Monterey Coast Guard Station said in light of some of the criticisms, his agency may rethink future, similar actions. ``We take lessons and learn from these types of operations. If the public is genuinely distasteful of it, we might not do it,'' he said. Part of the Coast Guard's aim was to increase public awareness of its role as a law enforcement agency. Mission accomplished--but in an unnecessarily intrusive way. We depend on the Coast Guard for law enforcement on open seas. We're grateful for the role it plays in search-and-rescue operations. And we appreciate its efforts to make sure the boats on the bay are in safe condition. But random, dockside boardings are going overboard and should be discontinued. Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 388, Condemn Cuban Repression. It is ironic that Congress is busy condemning Cuban President Fidel Castro for violating human rights when President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other members of the administration have endorsed the perpetual detention and torture of over 500 detainees held by the United States military in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Until the United States' foreign policy matches its rhetoric, no country should take these resolutions seriously. I also oppose this resolution because it singles out and criticizes the European Union for its policies towards Cuba. Again, the United States hypocrisy is on show for the world. As Congress complains about foreign governments having commercial relations with the communist Cuban government, this same Congress has the audacity to pass free trade agreements and expand commercial relations with the communist government of China. Recent history shows that the Chinese government has consistently repressed its citizens. However, I have not seen one recent resolution condemning the Chinese government for its human rights abuses. Further, the embargo of Cuba has been a failed policy that has only strengthened Fidel Castro's authority. For Congress to encourage other countries to implement a policy that has not worked for 40 years is as misguided as hiring a horse lawyer to run the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution. If this Congress wants to be respected for its opposition against human rights abuses, then the government it should be condemning first for its practices is our own. Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation and I want to thank my good friend, Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, for introducing it. I wish I could say I was surprised when the Castro regime again arrested members of the Cuban opposition this July. But I wasn't. In Cuba, every opposition member, human rights activist, or citizen who takes any step towards democracy is deemed a threat to the Cuban regime. These opposition members must live under a constant threat of arrest and persecution for themselves, and their families. In Cuba, we see a persistent, long-term, calculated, and strategic abuse of human rights aimed at keeping any opposition from succeeding in Cuba. Cuba remains the only dictatorship in our Hemisphere, and Castro must repress the opposition to stay in power. In July 2005, Castro arrested 24 human rights activists for simply remembering those who had been killed by the regime in 1994. And he arrested many more later that month who were simply planning on attending a peaceful protest--they hadn't even actually attended the event yet. But this is not the only recent example of Castro's brutal repression. In March 2003, the Cuban regime conducted one of the most repressive and violent actions against dissidents in recent history. We all remember how, with no provocation, 75 political dissidents were subjected to a farcical judicial process and imprisoned for nothing more than expressing a point of view not sanctioned by the Castro regime. In May of this year, Cuban opposition leaders organized an historic Assembly on the 103rd Anniversary of Cuban independence. When we had the opportunity to recognize that Assembly here in this committee, I specifically said that we opposed any attempt by the Castro regime to repress or punish the organizers and participants of the Assembly, as Castro has done with so many others who have spoken out against repression. I also made it clear to the Cuban opposition witnesses in our hearing in the subcommittee in March that we expected no retaliation against them for their work on behalf of freedom or for their participation in our hearing. Unfortunately, it is my understanding that all three of those witnesses were then arrested during the July crackdown. While Martha [[Page 21510]] Beatriz Roque and Felix Bonne were subsequently released, I believe that Rene Gomez Manzano remains in prison. Given the recent arrests, I am still deeply concerned for the safety of all those who participated in the May Assembly and those who testified before this Committee. Hundreds of political prisoners remain in Castro's jails today, and the world has recognized these injustices. In March 2005, Amnesty International released a report on Cuba called Prisoners of Conscience: 71 Longing for Freedom. In this report, Amnesty states that they believe that, ``the charges are politically motivated and disproportionate to the alleged offenses'' and specifically note reports of ill-treatment and harsh conditions suffered by the prisoners of conscience. Unfortunately, my friends in the European Union appear to have been deceived by Castro's conditional release of a few prisoners last year. I cannot understand why else they would think there was a reason to soften their diplomatic approach towards Cuba. Instead of rewarding Cuba for pretending to take steps towards upholding fundamental civil rights, we should call for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Cuba. I certainly hope that the European Union will review its policy towards Cuba, as is called for in this resolution. And I hope that other multinational organizations, such as the UN Commission on Human Rights, join the rest of the world in strongly condemning the most recent crackdown in July by passing a strongly worded resolution against these violations of human and civil liberties, as is also called for in this resolution. I know Members do not always agree with one another on issues relating to Cuba. And I know that this is, for many of us, a very personal issue. But I also know that every one of my colleagues should be willing-- and proud--to vote for this resolution, which simply states that the gross human rights violations committed by the Cuban regime are abhorrent. Every one of my colleagues should be willing, and proud, to vote for the right of the Cuban people to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties that we enjoy here in the United States. To my brothers and sisters who suffer in Castro's jails, to their families and friends both here in the United States and Cuba, and to the Cuban people, I say that Castro will not succeed in his vain attempt to suppress the spirit of the Cuban people. I look forward to the day, which is coming soon, when we will all celebrate a free and democratic Cuba. It is the spirit of the Cuban human rights activists and their courage that will ultimately be Castro's downfall. So I ask each of you to join me in voting yes for this resolution. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 388. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirmative. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________