Political Quotes

“it was only a year ago today that the Helms-Burton law was signed into law after this Chamber, in all of its wisdom and its support of the oppressed people of Cuba, passed that landmark and historic legislation by an overwhelming majority. A year later the Members of the House of Representatives who supported this bill known as the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act can be proud of casting their vote in favor of the bill because after only 1 year of its implementation, it has proven to be an effective weapon in the battle to rid Cuba of the Castro dictatorship. Mr. Speaker, evidence of the success of the Helms-Burton Act can be found in various statements by top Castro officials who have faulted Helms-Burton for, among other things, the decision by the Mexican conglomerate, Grupo Domos, to withdraw from its agreement to reconstruct Cuba's domestic telecommunications system, and these same Castro officials have stated that Helms-Burton is responsible for the lack of private financing for equipment that is needed for Cuba's important sugar harvest. Just today the Castro regime's foreign minister, Roberto Robaina, on a stop in Brazil, stated that Helms-Burton has had a very strong psychological effect and has frustrated investments. He added that the Cuban economy has not grown as expected in large part due to this legislation.”