[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16572]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               ALAN GROSS

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the fifth 
anniversary of the unfair arrest and imprisonment of an American 
citizen in Cuba from Maryland, Mr. Alan Gross. I stand with his wife 
Judy, and their two daughters in calling for the immediate release of 
Mr. Gross by the Cuban government.
  In 2009, Mr. Gross went to Cuba as a contractor for the U.S. Agency 
for International Development. On this visit to Cuba, he wanted to 
assist Cuba's Jewish community by improving their access to the 
internet. With a background in social work, he dedicated his career to 
helping others around the world.
  The Cuban government arrested Mr. Gross on December 3, 2009. He was 
held for 14 months without being charged with a crime. He was 
eventually charged as a spy and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
  At 65 years old, Mr. Gross' physical and mental health has suffered 
severely over the past 5 years. He has lost a significant amount of 
weight and developed several painful medical conditions. His contact 
with his family is extremely limited, compounding his anxiety. On his 
birthday, May 2, 2014, Mr. Gross made several statements that 
demonstrated the mental strain and anguish that he feels daily. 
Following the death of his mother in June, he was visited by his wife 
Judy and said his goodbyes to her. Mr. Gross's current physical and 
mental state is at a critical point. The Cuban government must allow 
him to come home to the United States.
  Judy Gross has never given up. She continues to put pressure on the 
Cuban government, speaking out against the poor treatment of her 
husband. She is a true inspiration, continuing her fight despite the 
health and financial challenges that her family has felt.
  Every day I think of and pray for the Gross family. I pray that they 
are reunited soon. If Cuba wants to improve relations with the United 
States, they need to release Mr. Gross now. I thank my colleagues for 
standing with me and calling for the release of Alan Gross. I look 
forward to the day that we welcome him home to Maryland, and most 
importantly, to his family.

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