Norma Torres: “for 39 years the United States has maintained an economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba, all with the intent of…”

“for 39 years the United States has maintained an economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba, all with the intent of toppling Fidel Castro. Thirty-nine years. Nine U.S. Presidents. And nothing has happened. He is still there. My colleagues, Helms-Burton has increased tightening the noose on those people. We are punishing the people of Cuba. We have effectively perpetuated malnutrition and disease because they cannot get food and medicines, contrary to the arguments that we hear that they can. Senior citizens, children, women, men are slowly starving to death. We cannot do this to another Nation, as great a republic as we are. H.R. 1951, a bill that I have introduced, would lift the embargo on food and medicine and medical equipment to the people of Cuba, and I ask my colleagues on both sides to join with me in cosponsoring this legislation. No less than the Pope has said that this is a monstrous act that we perpetuate upon the people of Cuba.”