Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Regis Iglesias Ramirez, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Iglesias Ramirez is a member of the Christian Liberation Movement. Because of his belief in freedom of religion, democracy and human rights, Mr. Iglesias Ramirez is an opponent of the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Despite the constant threat of retribution by the dictatorship, he has continually demanded his inalienable human rights.

Unfortunately, in March 2003, as part of the regime's heinous crackdown on peaceful, pro-democracy activists, Mr. Iglesias Ramirez was arrested. In a sham trial, he was sentenced to 18 years in the totalitarian gulag.

Mr. Iglesias Ramirez is languishing in an inhuman, grotesque gulag simply because of his religious convictions and his desire to live in liberty. According to Amnesty International, he has been threatened and harassed because he persists in studying his Bible while incarcerated by the regime. It is reprehensible that, at the dawn of the 21st Century, men and women like Mr. Iglesias Ramirez are still locked in dank dungeons because of the tenets of their faith.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is May 20, and on that day, 103 years ago, the Cuban people obtained their independence; the Republic of Cuba was born. Today the Cuban people, led by heroic activists such as Mr. Iglesias Ramirez, continue to fight for freedom. It is my fervent hope that next year, on May 20, the Cuban people will be able to celebrate the anniversary of Cuba's independence and also celebrate the return of freedom to that long suffering island.

Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that peaceful Cubans of all genders, creeds and colors are locked in Castro's barbarous gulag because they believe in a free Cuba. While the entire world sits by and ignores the suffering of the Cuban people, brave men and women like Mr. Iglesias Ramirez represent the best of mankind. My Colleagues, we must demand freedom and human rights for all people, especially those who live under the darkness of totalitarian regimes. We must demand immediate and unconditional freedom for Regis Iglesias Ramirez and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Hernandez Carrillo is a member of the Pedro Luis Boitel Democracy Party and an independent journalist. He is peacefully striving to create an open society that recognizes human rights, freedom, and democracy. Unfortunately, the dictatorship forcefully represses those who bravely support freedom and rise in resistance to the despotic regime.

According to Amnesty International, Mr. Hernandez Carrillo has been constantly harassed by the nightmare that is the Castro regime. He was arrested by the tyrant in 1997, 1999, and 2002 for his pro-democracy activities. Unfortunately, on March 18, 2003, as part of Castro's heinous crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists, Mr. Hernandez Carrillo was once again arrested by the dictatorship. In a sham trial, Mr. Hernandez Carrillo was sentenced to an abominable 25 years in the totalitarian gulag.

According to Amnesty International, in 2003, while incarcerated in the inhuman gulag, Mr. Hernandez Carrillo was placed in a punishment cell. These punishment cells are the very depths of depravity. According to the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004: `` `punishment cells,' were located in the basement of a prison, with continuous semi dark conditions, no available water, and a hole for a toilet. Reading materials, including Bibles, were not allowed. . . . Prisoners in punishment cells had no access to lawyers.''

In 2004, according to Amnesty International, Mr. Hernandez Carrillo supported his fellow pro-democracy fighter Mario Enrique Mayo in a hunger strike that lasted from August 15th until August 25th. Their demands were medical assistance and food.

Mr. Hernandez Carrillo is a brilliant example of the heroism of the Cuban people. Despite incessant repression, harassment, incarceration and abuse, he does not waiver in his conviction that freedom and democracy are the inalienable right of the Cuban people. It is a crime against humanity that Castro's totalitarian gulags are full of men and women, like Mr. Hernandez Carrillo, who represent the best of the Cuban nation.

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear, Mr. Hernandez Carrillo is languishing in the grotesque squalor of the gulag because he desires freedom for all Cubans. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ivan Hernandez Carrillo and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from south Florida (Mr. Wexler) for the time.

This resolution is very important because it continues the very important, historic tradition begun here in this Congress, by this Congress in April of 1898 when, after a century of fighting by the people of Cuba for the independence of Cuba, the United States, because of the Congress of the United States, came out in support of Cuban independence. In April of 1898, this Congress passed what is very well- known in Cuban history, the joint resolution that recognized that Cuba is and of right ought to be free and independent. So this Congress began a tradition in April of 1898 that continues to this day, a tradition in support of the right of the Cuban people to be free.

For the last 46 years, the Cuban people unfortunately have been under the boot of a totalitarian dictatorship that, while it has perhaps been the most inept, certainly one of the most inept of the Communist dictatorships in having achieved the systematic, utter destruction of what was one of the most prosperous economies in this hemisphere; in that sense, it has been absolutely inept. In terms of totalitarian control, it has been quite effective, and it maintains an absolute, intense oppression over the Cuban people to this day.

My colleagues have mentioned the onslaught of 2 years ago that was condemned by a resolution offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) a few weeks ago, and it was condemned by this House, the absolute campaign, if you will, of the march of 2003 that arrested dozens and dozen and dozens, almost 100 pro-democracy leaders and threw them in prison, but the campaign continues.

The campaign of oppression and intimidation, beginning in January of this year, the totalitarian Communist regime in Cuba has begun a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing. Hundreds of young people, mostly young men, 95 percent of whom are black, have been rounded up and thrown in prisons beginning in January of this year in what the dictator calls Operation Containment, containment of the young people.

Now, this assembly was organized, as has been mentioned by my distinguished colleagues, by Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello and Felix Bonne Carcasses and Rene Gomez Manzano, is an important, historic development. There are some people who now say that we must reject the subterfuge seeking to attack this assembly, that they have not invited all pro-democracy groups. All pro-democracy groups, the organizers of this assembly have invited all individuals and organizations within Cuba who support democracy. Some say then they have not been invited. In fact, they have been invited, but that is not the problem of the organizer. That is the problem of somebody else, very important.

This is an important, extremely valiant effort that over 360 civil society groups, pro-democracy groups within the island have called for, and they seek to meet on May 20. So what this Congress today is saying is: We support you. We know what you are doing. We know the courage that it entails to say, within a totalitarian state, that a meeting will be held in support of freedom and democracy and free elections and the legalization of political parties and freedom of religion and freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Within the totalitarian state, to say that there will be a meeting engaged in such discussion is really a heroic act, and so today, what we are saying is that we recognize that, and we support you.

Simply to end, Mr. Speaker, as I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) for having brought forth this resolution today in such an important and timely manner, I simply want to read the names of some of the thousands of political prisoners who cannot have their voices heard. Obviously, they all deserve to be heard, but I would like to read some of their names.

It is my privilege and honor to serve in this Congress with my brother Mario, where there are two brothers who are serving in prison in Cuba simply because they came out publicly in support of freedom and democracy. One brother, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, was sentenced to 25 years in the gulag for his support of democracy. The other one, Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, was sentenced to 28 years in the gulag because he supports democracy.

Someone who I admire very much, I have followed his long and distinguished fight for freedom for many years, has been languishing since 1990, mostly in solitary. His name is Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, also known Antunez. He was sentenced to 18 years because, ever since he was in high school, he said he favors democracy and rejects totalitarianism, and so he has suffered the consequences since then.

Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, 20 years in the gulag.

Diosdado Gonzalez Marrero, 20 years in the gulag.

Felix Navarro Rodriguez, 25 years.

Prosperso Gainza Aguero, 25 years.

Hector Maseda Gutierrez, 20 years.

Claro Sanchez Altarriba, 15 years.

Victor Rolando Arroyo, 26 years.

And perhaps the best known, certainly someone who is a symbol of resistance, character, dignity, as all these men and women are, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, 25 years.

There are thousands, Mr. Speaker, of men and women like this, many, by the way, charged with what they call in the totalitarian system common crimes, like seeking to leave, seeking to flee to freedom. That is a common crime. So the regime does not even recognize them as political prisoners. There are thousands of political prisoners in Cuba such as these men whose names I have read. We owe them our solidarity.

Today, we are expressing our solidarity, and specifically through this resolution, our solidarity with the meeting convened for May 20, which will seek to develop ways to hasten what is inevitable, and that is an end to the totalitarian nightmare and the commencement of the dawn of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Leonel Grave de Peralta Almenares, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Grave de Peralta is a member of the Christian Liberation Movement and an independent librarian. According to Human Rights First, as director of the Bartolome Maso Library, Mr. Grave de Peralta had a circulation record of over 700 book loans. His life is dedicated to the proposition that the men and women of Cuba must be free: free to learn, free to worship, free to enjoy their inalienable human rights.

Unfortunately, Mr. Grave de Peralta has been targeted by the totalitarian regime because of his belief in freedom and democracy. According to Amnesty International, he was harassed in 2002 when his home was besieged by the tyrant's thugs. Despite the constant threat of oppression, harassment, and torture, Mr. Grave de Peralta continued his peaceful, pro-democracy activities.

In March 2003, as part of Castro's heinous crackdown on peaceful pro- democracy activists, Mr. Grave de Peralta was arrested. Subsequently, in a sham trial, he was sentenced to 20 years in the totalitarian gulag.

Mr. Grave de Peralta is representative of the fighting spirit of the Cuban people: of their rejection of the brutality, discrimination, depravity, and oppression of the totalitarian tyranny. Thousands languish in the gulag because, like Mr. Grave de Peralta, they refuse to accept the tyrannical dictatorship in Cuba today.

Mr. Speaker, it is as inconceivable as it is unacceptable that, while the world stands by in silence and acquiescence, Mr. Grave de Peralta languishes in the horror of the totalitarian gulag because of his belief in freedom, democracy, and human rights. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Leonel Grave de Perlata Almenares and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Prospero Gainza Aguero, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Gainza Aguero is a member of the Pedro Luis Boitel National Civic Resistance Movement. He has committed himself to peacefully bringing democracy to the men and women of Cuba and ending the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Because of his steadfast belief in freedom, democracy and the Rule of Law, Mr. Gainza Aguero has been targeted by the dictatorship.

According to Amnesty International, Mr. Gainza Aguero was detained by the regime for participating in a protest to demand the release of a pro-democracy activist charged with ``public disorder.'' Despite continued harassment, Mr. Gainza Aguero remained bravely committed to opposing the dictatorship and advocating for freedom. On March 18, 2003, as part of Castro's heinous crackdown on peaceful, pro-democracy activists, he was arrested by the dictatorship. In a sham trial, Mr. Gainza Aguero was sentenced to 25 years in the totalitarian gulag.

According to Amnesty International, while locked up in the inhuman gulag for his belief in freedom, Mr. Gainza Aguero participated in a hunger strike to call attention to the abhorrent condition in the gulag, the lack of food, and the grossly inadequate medical care. Despite being imprisoned for his belief in human rights, despite the horrors of the totalitarian gulag, Mr. Gainza Aguero has not stopped working to bring change to a nation enslaved by Castro's despotic machinery of repression.

Prospero Gainza Aguero is representative of the fighting spirit of the Cuban people: of their rejection of the brutality, discrimination, depravity, and oppression of the totalitarian tyranny.

Let me be very clear, Mr. Gainza Aguero is imprisoned because he refuses to accept the dictatorship in Cuba today. Mr. Speaker, we must speak out and act against the abominable disregard for human rights, human dignity, and human freedom just 90 miles from our shore. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Prospero Gainza Aguero and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Ferrer Garcia is a peaceful pro-democracy activist who desires to bring freedom, democracy, and human rights to Cuba. He is also a member of the Christian Liberation Movement. Because he believes that freedom is the birthright of every person, he has been repeatedly harassed and detained by the nightmare that is the Castro regime. According to Amnesty International, in December 1999 he was sentenced to 6 months ``restricted freedom.''

In March 2003, as part of Castro's heinous island wide crackdown on peaceful prodemocracy activists, Mr. Ferrer Garcia was arrested by the dictatorship. In a sham trial he was sentenced to 28 years in the totalitarian gulag.

According to reports, Mr. Ferrer Garcia was transferred to a ``punishment cell'' for having refused a military salute to a prison official. These punishment cells are the very depths of depravity. According to the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004: `` `punishment cells,' were located in the basement of a prison, with continuous semi dark conditions, no available water, and a hole for a toilet. Reading materials, including Bibles, were not allowed . . . Prisoners in punishment cells had no access to lawyers.''

Mr. Ferrer Garcia was eventually released from this ``punishment cell'' because of a hunger strike carried out on his behalf. However, he is in constant danger of being returned to this version of hell within a gulag.

Mr. Luis Ferrer Garcia is not the only member of his family sentenced to the totalitarian gulag. His brother, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia been sentenced to 25 years in the gulag for his belief in freedom, democracy and basic human rights. These two brothers are brilliant examples of the heroism of the Cuban people. No matter how intense the repression, no matter how horrifically brutal the consequences of a dignified struggle for liberty, the totalitarian gulags are full of men and women of all backgrounds and ages who represent the best of the Cuban nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is as inconceivable as it is unacceptable that, while the world stands by in silence and acquiescence, these two brothers are systematically tortured because of their belief in freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Fuentes is a member of the United Cuban Workers Council and an independent journalist. According to various reports, he has been an active opponent of the dictatorship since 1992. His peaceful, pro- democracy activities and truthful articles have helped the world to learn the facts about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Unfortunately, those who believe in truth are targeted by the tyrant's machinery of repression.

On March 19, 2003, Mr. Fuentes was arrested as part of the dictatorship's heinous crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists. In a sham trial, he was accused of sending reports to Radio Marti about opposition demonstrations. For these ``crimes,'' Mr. Fuentes was sentenced to 26 years in the totalitarian gulag.

Let me be very clear, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes is languishing in an inhuman gulag because of his belief in truth, freedom and democracy. According to reports, he is held in isolation, he is suffering from malnutrition and the abhorrent state of his cell. Mr. Fuentes is bravely suffering because he believes in freedom for all the men and women of Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, it is morally repugnant that, in the 21st Century, men and women are still locked in the dungeons of dictators because of their beliefs in freedom and human rights. It is as inconceivable as it is unacceptable that, while the world stands by in silence and acquiescence, brave men and women are systematically tortured because of their belief in democracy and the Rule of Law. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Alfredo Felipe Fuentes and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, those of us who have lived in the era of Pope John Paul II have had the great privilege during the past twenty-six years of witnessing the important work of this great leader.

John Paul II was an extraordinary theologian, a brilliant statesman who worked ceaselessly for peace and freedom, and a brave Polish patriot. He embodied the Christian, Marian doctrine of love and mercy; millions throughout the world have been forever changed for the better by the life of Pope John Paul II.

Perhaps his most important accomplishment was lifting the ban on the devotion to the message of divine mercy as explained by our Savior directly to Sister Faustina, and the Pope's institution of Divine Mercy Sunday by the Church, as well as the canonization of Saint Faustina. Our prayers of gratitude for those great works of Pope John Paul II accompany our prayers for his eternal rest.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Ricardo Silva Gual, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Dr. Silva Gual is a Medical Doctor and member of the Christian Liberation Movement. He believes that the men and women of Cuba deserve freedom, democracy, and basic human rights. Dr. Silva Gaul is dedicated to bringing liberty to Cuba and ending the nightmare that is the Castro regime.

Because of his belief in the non-negotiable rights of all people to freedom, democracy and

human rights, Dr. Silva Gaul was arrested by the dictatorship on March 18, 2003. This heinous arrest was a part of the regime's March 2003, deplorable, island-wide crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists. In a sham trial, Dr. Silva Gaul was sentenced to 10 years in the totalitarian gulag.

According to cubapp.info, while imprisoned in a repugnant dungeon Dr. Silva Gual declared a hunger strike to protest the inhuman treatment of political prisoners in Castro's gulag. It has also been reported that Dr. Silva Gual has been transferred to a maximum security section where the conditions are even harsher.

Dr. Silva Gual, despite being imprisoned, despite facing even more severe maltreatment in the inhuman gulag, continues to advocate for liberty. Dr. Silva Gual is a brilliant example of the heroism of the Cuban people. No matter how intense the repression, no matter how horrifically brutal the consequences of a dignified struggle for liberty, the totalitarian gulags are full of men and women of all backgrounds and ages who represent the best of the Cuban nation.

Mr. Speaker, we must speak out and act against this abominable disregard for human rights, human dignity, and human freedom just 90 miles from our shore. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ricardo Silva Gual and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Greeks Independence Day.

March 25, 2005 marked the 184th anniversary of the revolution that freed the people of Greece from the Ottoman Empire. Today, I extend my solidarity in commemoration of this celebration of independence and democracy.

As the cradle of western civilization, we are deeply indebted to the nation of Greece and the Greek people for their wisdom and commitment to the ideals of freedom and democracy. Our own democracy was created from the blue prints of ancient Greece.

The contribution of Greeks to the arts, sciences, and political fields are felt profoundly to this day. It is through Greek experiences and insight that the ideals of self-governance were shaped. In modern times, the Greek people have reaffirmed their commitment to the goals of their proud past. As a member of the European Union, Greece has constantly championed democratic principles and been an important advocate for freedom fighters throughout the world.

I congratulate the people of Greece for their vital contributions to our world, in both ancient and modern times, as we celebrate Greek Independence Day.

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the budget brought forth by the gentleman from Iowa and the Committee on the Budget. We have not only, I think, the right but the duty as the legislative branch of government to perform the oversight function of the executive branch. As the gentleman from Iowa pointed out before the Committee on Rules yesterday, we really have not done that since 1997. The reality of the matter is that everything has been on automatic pilot basically since 1997 and we not only should, we must perform our oversight duty.

We have heard the word ``draconian'' with regard to supposed cuts being proposed in this budget. I think it is important to look at the facts. What the budget proposed by the Committee on the Budget calls for with regard to what constitutes the most dangerous threat on the horizon to our economic well-being, strength in this country, the great, extraordinary growth in what is referred to as mandatory spending, spending that is built into the law, that the appropriators do not have anything to do with because it is built into the law, this budget initiates a process of review and of study, oversight, so that the growth in what is almost 60 percent of the budget and projected to continue to grow and continue to grow, the growth in the mandatory spending will be reduced from 6.4 percent to 6.3 percent, one-tenth of 1 percent. Not a cut, a reduction in the growth.

We have an obligation to perform oversight, Mr. Chairman. I commend the gentleman from Iowa and the Committee on the Budget as I strongly support this budget. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process of the Committee on Rules, along with our full committee chairman the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) and the rest of the House leadership and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), we will be doing our part to carry forth what we consider our legal obligation, oversight. We will be studying the budget process and seeing how it can better be enforced.

This is a responsible budget, it is a reasonable budget, it is one meant to contribute to the continued economic health of the United States. I strongly support it and urge all of my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Antonio Ramon Diaz Sanchez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Diaz Sanchez is an electrician by profession. He is also a member of the Christian Liberation Movement. Mr. Diaz Sanchez is a peaceful activist in the cause of liberty who desires to exercise his basic human rights. Unfortunately, the nightmare that is the Castro regime continues to violently oppress the men and women of Cuba, including those that bravely illuminate the atrocities committed against the Cuban people for the world to see.

Unfortunately, in March 2003, as part of the dictatorship's heinous crackdown on peaceful, pro-democracy activists, Mr. Diaz Sanchez was arrested. Simply because of his courageous pro-democracy activities, Mr. Diaz Sanchez was subjected to a sham trial where he was sentenced to 14 years in the totalitarian gulag.

According to Amnesty International, Mr. Diaz Sanchez has continued to advocate for freedom and justice while locked in the hellish squalor of Castro's gulag. He has participated in two hunger strikes to draw attention to the depravity of the conditions that political prisoners are subjected to in the gulag: including denial of medical attention, beatings, and severe malnutrition. He has courageously risked harm to himself in order to bring a semblance of humane treatment to those confined in the horror that is the totalitarian gulag.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ramon Diaz Sanchez, is an electrician who now shines a light of dignity and courage on the abominable disregard for human rights, human dignity, and human freedom just 90 miles from our shore. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Antonio Ramon Diaz Sanchez,, and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Ferrer Garcia is the regional coordinator for the Christian Liberation Movement in the province of Santiago. He is a peaceful pro- democracy activist who believes in the cause of freedom for the men and women of Cuba. Because of his steadfast belief in human liberty, and his constant work to bring freedom to an island enslaved by the nightmare that is the Castro regime, Mr. Ferrer Garcia has been a constant target of the dictatorship.

According to Amnesty International, Mr. Ferrer Garcia has been harassed and detained numerous times for his pro-democracy activism. In January 2002, he was forced from a bus and beaten by the tyrant's thugs because of his activities and ideals. In March 2003, as part of Castro's heinous crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists, Mr. Ferrer Garcia was arrested. Subsequently, in a sham trial, he was sentenced to 25 years in the totalitarian gulag.

While confined in the inhuman horror of Castro's gulag, Mr. Ferrer Garcia has been the constant target of abuse. According to the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004:

On January 1, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia reported serving 45

days in a punishment cell for protesting the suspension of

correspondence and the delivery of food and medical supplies

from his family. He did not receive food or water during the

first 3 days of his confinement and slept on a cement floor.

Authorities confiscated his Bible and prohibited any contact

with other prisoners.

The same Country Report describes the true horrors of a punishment cell: ``Prisoners sometimes were held in `punishment cells,' which usually were located in the basement of a prison, with continuous semi dark conditions, no available water, and a hole for a toilet.'' This is in addition to the grotesque depravity of the gulag that also includes beatings, isolation, denial of medical treatment to detainees and sexual abuse.

Mr. Ferrer Garcia is a brilliant example of the heroism of the Cuban people. No matter how intense the repression, no matter how horrifically brutal the consequences of a dignified struggle for liberty, the totalitarian gulags are full of men and women of all backgrounds and ages who represent the best of the Cuban nation. Thousands languish in the gulag because, like Mr. Ferrer Garcia, they refuse to accept the tyrannical dictatorship in Cuba today.

Mr. Speaker, we must speak out and act against this abominable disregard for human rights, human dignity, and human freedom just 90 miles from our shore. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Ferrer Garcia is a peaceful pro-democracy activist in Cuba.

In January 2002, he was forced from a bus and beaten by the tyrant's thugs. In March 2003, 2 years ago, he was arrested as part of the dictator's crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists and in a sham trial sentenced to 25 years in the totalitarian gulag because of his support of democracy.

Mr. Ferrer is a brilliant example, Mr. Speaker, of the heroism of the Cuban people. The totalitarian gulag is full of men and women of all backgrounds and ages who represent the best of the Cuban nation. Thousands languish in the gulag because, like Mr. Ferrer, they refuse to accept tyranny.

Mr. Speaker, we must speak out against the grotesque disregard for human rights, dignity, and freedom just 90 miles from our shores. We must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Jose Daniel Ferrer and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Claro Sanchez Altarriba, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Sanchez Altarriba is a member of the Movement of Cuban Young People for Democracy. He knows with certainty that Cuba needs to be liberated from the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Through peaceful activity, Mr. Sanchez Altarriba has been a courageous voice against the totalitarian regime and their continued acts of tyranny and terrorism.

According to Amnesty International, Mr. Sanchez Altarriba has suffered harassment for

his activities, including being detained in the grotesque gulag and fined in October, 2002. Despite the continued threat of brutal retaliation for his peaceful activities, Mr. Sanchez Altarriba continued to believe in, and advocate for, freedom for the people of Cuba. Unfortunately, as part of the tyrant's heinous, March 2003, island wide crackdown on peaceful pro democracy advocates, Mr. Sanchez Altarriba was arrested by the dictatorship. In a sham trial, he was sentenced to 15 years in the totalitarian gulag.

Mr. Sanchez Altarriba is currently languishing in an inhuman gulag because of his belief in democracy. According to a letter written by fellow prisoner of conscience Lester Gonzalez Penton and published by M.A.R. por Cuba:

A cement wall is all that separates both jails, but that

one has a tougher regime than this one, several guards

hitting defenseless people inside the jails using ``marabu''

sticks. That is the reason why many prisoners suffer from

aches and sicknesses behind bars, worsened by lack of medical

care, this being the reason for self-inflicted wounds as a

way to get care. Thousands of mosquitoes, rats, crawl around

as in their own home, with the worst hygiene conditions.

Eight of us brothers in the cause were removed from the

cells. There only remains Claro Sanchez Altarriba, from

Santiago de Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that human beings are locked in this barbarously inhuman gulag because they believe that all men and women have a right to freedom and democratic government. While the entire world sits by and ignores the suffering of the Cuban people, brave men and women like Claro Sanchez Altarriba represent the best of mankind. My Colleagues, we must demand freedom and human rights for all people, especially those who live under the darkness of totalitarian regimes. We must demand immediate and unconditional freedom for Claro Sanchez Altarriba and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.