On the recordJanuary 7, 2015
I thank the gentlelady from California for her longstanding leadership, her commitment to human rights and change in a positive way for the relationship between the United States of America and Cuba. I also would be remiss if I didn't recognize some of my other colleagues who have been in this, have encouraged a change in policy for many, many years, if not decades: Congressman Farr, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman McGovern, Congressman Van Hollen, Congressman Polis, Congressman Meeks, and many others who have taken it upon themselves to visit the island of Cuba, like the average American is not allowed to do, and learn about the real situation on the ground there. {time} 1600 I also commend the Obama administration and the President for his bold move in finally moving this outdated, anachronistic policy towards Cuba into a positive direction. Because just think about this: since the embargo has been in place and our policy of isolation has been in place, we had a war with Vietnam, but we have come to reconcile with the Vietnamese, and now the Vietnamese people have seen great economic reforms because America was engaged. Even after World War II, when we had a world war against Germany, you have to turn the page and move on in human history, and we were able to do that with one of our closest allies now with Germany. So why not Cuba? In the Tampa Bay area I represent a lot of Cuban-American families.…
