[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2462]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CUBAN PEOPLE DESERVE FREEDOM

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Fidel Castro has stepped 
down as President and dictator of Cuba and handed over his communist 
rule to his brother Raul. The news of Castro's resignation was met with 
cautious optimism by many who see this as an opportunity for the Cuban 
people to build a new and free society. However, it appears that for 
now the Castro family elite will continue to reign in a communist state 
and stifle the voices of reform.
  Today, political prisoners remain housed in inhumane conditions. The 
current Cuban legal system that authorizes the arrest of people for the 
crime of pre-criminal activity must be drastically reformed. The Cuban 
people deserve to live in a democratic society based on the rule of law 
that recognizes the rights of its citizens to the freedoms of speech, 
religion, and association.
  I am inspired by the phenomenally successful and patriotic Cuban 
American business leaders in the community I represent, such as Louis 
and Nena Gonda, who have always kept alive the ideals of a free Cuba to 
provide opportunity for the people of Cuba.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th.

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