[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 29780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         DR. OSCAR ELIAS BISCET

  (Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, yesterday the 
President of the United States, President Bush, honored eight 
outstanding individuals with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. One of 
those individuals was Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, a political prisoner in 
Cuba.
  Dr. Biscet is a 46-year-old physician and peaceful advocate of 
freedom and democracy. Dr. Biscet is an honest and decent man of 
principle who cites Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi and the Dalai Lama 
as his role models. He has dedicated his entire life to defending human 
rights and advancing the cause of democracy in Cuba.
  And for that, Madam Speaker, in 2003 Dr. Biscet was sentenced to 25 
years in prison and today sits in solitary confinement in a totally 
darkened 3-foot by 6-foot cell commonly known there as ``The Tomb.''
  Dr. Biscet and hundreds of other individuals just like him keep the 
hope for democracy alive for the Cuban people. He's a true patriot, 
Madam Speaker. He's a patriot for the Cuban people, a true hero and an 
example for everyone who loves freedom.
  I want to thank President Bush for once again standing with the Cuban 
people and making a strong statement for freedom.
  I am in awe of Dr. Biscet's bravery, and I look forward to the day 
that he can walk in freedom along with his people in his honor.

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