Political Quotes

“I thank the Presiding Officer and I thank my colleague for his courtesy. Death of Oswaldo Paya Mr. President, while we are focused on issues here at home--and certainly we should be--there are incidents taking place around the world, and those of us who care about freedom and democracy and human rights, those of us like myself who sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also have our focus on what is happening in other places in the world. I come to the floor to talk about the violence and repression that continues in the country of Cuba--this time in a dramatic and brazen attempt to exercise power through fear and intimidation over those who want nothing more than to see the day when the people of Cuba are free--and against members of the international community. Once again, I am forced to come to the floor to put a spotlight on what is happening inside of Cuba and all those who put their lives on the line for freedom and human rights around the world. The information we are receiving from both public reports and other information from Cuba concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of Oswaldo Paya--the island's most prominent and respected human rights advocate--is disturbing. It underscores the continued brutality and repression of the Castro regime, and it demands a response from the international community, as well as from ourselves as part of that community.…”