[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING MR. ELENO OVIEDO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, today, we remember the life of a 
wonderful man whose strength, courage, kindness and passion for the 
Cuban people's struggle for freedom inspired countless activists.
  Eleno Oviedo was born in Havana, Cuba, and later served with 
distinction in the U.S. Army. He was captured at sea by Castro's thugs, 
and became a political prisoner in a Cuban gulag for twenty-six years. 
While in prison, Eleno was a plantado, or prisoner who refused 
indoctrination or any acts that would affirm the legitimacy of his 
confinement. Eleno's defiance of the brutal Castro dictatorship 
resulted in especially harsh treatment in grossly inhumane prison 
conditions.
  Despite his bleak circumstance, Eleno used his time in prison to 
become fluent in several languages. When he finally was released from 
prison in 1988, Eleno returned to the United States where he continued 
to speak out against the Castro regime's atrocities and oppression of 
the Cuban people. He met with lawmakers to draw attention to the grim 
realities of the Castro regime, and became director of the effective 
and highly commendable organization, Plantados Until Freedom and 
Democracy in Cuba.
  Some complain that our younger generations have no heroes to inspire 
them to greatness. They need only look to the example of Eleno who, 
despite remarkably trying circumstances, held to his principles. He was 
not only resilient in overcoming the appalling injustice that cost him 
a quarter of his life, but he managed to maintain his compassion and 
zest for life.
  Sadly, Eleno passed away on April 4, 2013. I am grateful to have 
known and worked with Eleno over many years. He is irreplaceable. His 
life's work remains a blessing to those who continue the cause of 
freedom for the Cuban people. My prayers are with him and his family. 
May God bless his soul.

                          ____________________