James Davis: “Mr. Chairman, in March of this year, the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control, OFAC, proposed a…”

“Mr. Chairman, in March of this year, the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control, OFAC, proposed a regulation which would end licenses for travel to Cuba for educational purposes unless the travel consisted exclusively of students taking formal case work. This amendment blocks that proposed regulation from taking effect by blocking any funding to enforce it. Earlier this year I traveled to Cuba with the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe). We met with governmental officials, the Bishop of the Methodist Church, leading dissidents, including Vladimir Roca, Espinosa Chepe, and others. I left there struck by the horrific plight of the Cuban people who are living of abject poverty deprived of any freedom or liberty we tend to take for granted here. I left there struck by the enormous talent and potential of the Cuban people; and finally, I left there struck by how much we have in common, folks in my home, the Tampa Bay area and Florida, with the Cuban people. I also left there with the resolve that because of the miserable relationship between the two countries, it is more important than ever that we as United States citizens reach out to the Cuban people to help them deal with this very horrific plight they are living in today.”