Jeremiah Smith: “From the very beginning, I have said that Elian Gonzalez's case is at heart a custody matter. It is a matter that should…”

“From the very beginning, I have said that Elian Gonzalez's case is at heart a custody matter. It is a matter that should be decided by the courts that have the experience and expertise to resolve custody cases--with due process, and based on Elian's best interests. My sentiments exactly. Let us be clear, the real fault in the case lies with the regime of Fidel Castro. Elian should never have been forced to choose between freedom and his own father. Now we must take action, here on our own shores, to make sure that Elian's best interests are served. That is a very powerful statement. I commend the Vice President for making it. I hope the Vice President now can work with some of his colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have been opposing this opportunity to have the permanent residency status on Elian Gonzalez. This bill is a perfect solution for those who are not prepared to grant full citizenship for this boy. This is a compromise, not full citizenship, and it is not sending him back to Cuba. It is a compromise. It is one on which I have worked for a long time. It is the perfect solution for those who are concerned that the Senate would be stepping into a custody matter. This bill makes this a custody case, as I just said. It removes the issue from the pro-Cuba or anti-Cuba politics.”