On the recordJanuary 7, 2015
Let me thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, for being with us here tonight and reminding us of much of the history that cannot be forgotten as we move toward normal relations with Cuba. Also with regard to Alan Gross. Yesterday, Alan and his wife, Judy, they were with us, and we all were so thrilled to see Alan Gross, and we are pleased that the President's action actually resulted in the long overdue return of our friend Mr. Gross. Every time that many of us went to Cuba we wanted to meet with Alan. It was important to learn more about his case, but more importantly to do what we could do to help with humanitarian relief and to encourage and lift his spirits. One of those individuals who has been so key in this is Congressman Gregory Meeks from New York, who has consistently talked about the importance of normalized relations with Cuba in the context of Latin American policies, our policy role in the Western Hemisphere. {time} 1615
