Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 760, introduced by my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, together with my friend, Congressman Diaz-Balart, and chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Congressman Sires, supports the basic human rights of the Cuban people and stands with them in their right to peacefully protest their own government. In July, the largest protest in decades swept the island of Cuba. Activists, in turn, were beaten and jailed by the government. Many remain jailed. According to Human Rights Watch, many have been subjected to abuse and torture simply for standing up for access to food, to medicine, to information, and to have their rights respected. This resolution expresses solidarity with the Cuban people ahead of planned nationwide protests for November 15. The organizers of these protests sought approval from the government, as the Cuban constitution allows for legitimate protest. They were denied. We must stand with the people of Cuba as they exercise their right to free expression. We must condemn the violent response to peaceful protests by the Cuban people. That is what this resolution does. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for working to bring this resolution to the floor, and I reserve the balance of my time.”