Fw: Press Release: Anti-Castro Cuban Leaders Endorse LegislationOpening Ag Trade and Travel to Cuba

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-----Original Message-----
From: AgPress <AgPress@mail.house.gov>
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:28:07
To: News Distribution<news@aglist.house.gov>
Subject: Press Release: Anti-Castro Cuban Leaders Endorse Legislation
Opening Ag Trade and Travel to Cuba

News from the House Agriculture Committee

http://agriculture.house.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 10, 2010

Media Contact:
Liz Friedlander (202) 225-1564
April Slayton (202) 225-6872

Anti-Castro Cuban Leaders Endorse Legislation Opening Ag Trade and Travel to Cuba

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson released a letter signed by more than 70 pro-democracy
Cuban leaders that strongly encourages passage of H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act introduced by
House Agriculture Committee Collin Peterson (D-MN).

"When the strongest pro-democracy activists in Cuba say that the current travel and agriculture trade restrictions only support the
Castro regime, you have to ask yourself why we would keep these restrictions in place," Chairman Peterson said. "The statement of
these pro-democracy, anti-Castro dissidents supporting H.R 4645 is a strong indication that people who oppose this bill are not
speaking on behalf of the Cuban people, regardless of what they say. Who are we helping by continuing a policy that has been in
place for 50 years and has yet to change anything?"

The Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act would facilitate expanded U.S. agricultural trade with Cuba and allow
Americans to travel more freely to Cuba. This bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by 56 other Members of Congress, including
Representatives Jerry Moran of Kansas, Rosa L. DeLauro of Connecticut, and Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri.

The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing earlier this year to review H.R. 4645, and Chairman Peterson, Congressman Moran and
other supporters are working to gather support to pass this historic legislation.

A copy of the letter sent by more than 70 anti-Castro Cuban leaders is available on the House Agriculture Committee's website at
http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/Legislation/111/CubaCivilSocietyletter.pdf .


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The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture web site http://agriculture.house.gov has additional information on this and other subjects.

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