Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this week the Senate unanimously passed my bipartisan legislation to rename the street in front of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC, ``Oswaldo Paya Way.'' Oswaldo Paya was a dissident and a fighter for freedom in Cuba of unrelenting passion and dedication. He was someone who stood up against the Castro regime. He had incredible courage. He spoke up for human rights. He spoke up for free speech. He spoke up for democracy. And 11 years ago, Oswaldo Paya was murdered by the Cuban communist government. On July 22, 2012, Paya left his house with three other people, including Harold Cepero, to go visit friends. From the start of the journey, their car was followed. On the way, the Cuban security services drove Paya's car off the road, killing both him and Cepero. There has never been any doubt about who was responsible for these murders. Indeed, just this week, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights released its long-awaited report on the case. The determination was clear and conclusive in confirming what we have known all along. Paya had long been a thorn in the side of the Castros and the regime, even from a young age. He was the only person at school who refused to join the Communist Youth. As a teenager, he publicly opposed the communist crackdown on protesters in Czechoslovakia who were fighting for freedom, and he was punished with 3 years in prison. Paya went on to found the Varela Project, which sought a referendum on Cuba's communist system.…”