[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 193 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
May 10, 2005.
Whereas Fidel Castro's terrorist regime has continued to repress all attempts by
the Cuban people to bring democratic change to Cuba and denies
universally recognized liberties, including freedom of speech,
association, movement, and the press;
Whereas thousands of political prisoners are currently imprisoned by Fidel
Castro's totalitarian regime;
Whereas in March 2003 Fidel Castro carried out a massive, island wide crackdown
on members of Cuba's pro-democracy movement, under which pro-democracy
activists were arrested, subjected to ``summary trials'', and sentenced
to up to 28 years in prison for their pro-democracy activities;
Whereas the Department of State's 2004 Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices, in referring to Castro's Cuba, states: ``Members of the
security forces and prison officials continued to beat and abuse
detainees and prisoners, including human rights activists. . . . Prison
conditions remained harsh and life threatening, and the Government
restricted medical care to some prisoners as a method of control.
Prisoners died in jail due to lack of medical care.'';
Whereas on May 20, 1902, the Republic of Cuba obtained its independence;
Whereas in the spirit of Jose Marti, many of the future leaders of a free Cuba
have called for a meeting of the Assembly of the Civil Society in Cuba,
an organization that consists of over 360 opposition and civil society
organizations in Cuba;
Whereas on May 20, 2005, the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba seeks
to convene an historic meeting in Havana on the 103rd anniversary of
Cuban Independence;
Whereas the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba will focus on bringing
democracy and liberty to the enslaved island of Cuba;
Whereas the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba is led by three
courageous pro-democracy opponents of the Castro regime--Martha Beatriz
Roque Cabello, Felix Bonne Carcasses, and Rene Gomez Manzano;
Whereas organizers and participants are convening a meeting of the Assembly to
Promote the Civil Society in Cuba at great risk to themselves and their
families; and
Whereas President George W. Bush stated in his second inaugural address on
January 20, 2005: ``All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know:
the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your
oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.
Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know:
America sees you for who you are--the future leaders of your free
country.'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) extends its support and solidarity to the organizers and
participants of the historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the
Civil Society in Cuba on May 20, 2005, in Havana;
(2) urges the international community to support the Assembly's
mission to bring democracy to Cuba;
(3) urges the Administration and international community to actively
oppose any attempts by the Castro regime to repress or punish the
organizers and participants of the Assembly; and
(4) shares the pro-democracy ideals of the Assembly to Promote the
Civil Society in Cuba and believes that this Assembly and others will
hasten the day of freedom and democracy for the people of Cuba.
Attest:
Clerk.