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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Fw: CORRECTION: GMA STATEMENT REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE CHILDNUTRITION BILL

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From: "Openshaw, Scott W." <SOpenshaw@gmaonline.org>

Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:35:37 -0500

Subject: CORRECTION: GMA STATEMENT REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE CHILD NUTRITION BILL

 

For Immediate Release                                                               

June 10, 2010

 

Brian Kennedy, bkennedy@gmaonline.org, 202-639-5994

Scott Openshaw, sopenshaw@gmaonline.org, 202-295-2957

 

  GMA STATEMENT REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF

HOUSE CHILD NUTRITION BILL

 

The Grocery Manufacturers Association today issued the following statement by GMA President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey regarding introduction of the U.S. House of Representative's child nutrition reauthorization bill, the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act by Chairman George Miller (D-CA) of the House Education and Labor Committee: 

 

"The Grocery Manufacturers Association strongly supports efforts to feed many more children through school lunch and breakfast programs and to increase the number of healthy choices in the cafeteria.  We share Chairman Miller's priorities for a stronger Child Nutrition Act, including increased access to the school meals programs, science-based standards for foods sold in schools, and more healthy foods available in the cafeteria.

 

"In particular, we believe that Congress should give USDA clear authority to set science-based standards for foods sold in schools during the school day. The school environment is a special environment, and USDA should be given the power to establish nutrition standards for competitive foods.  We believe that the school cafeteria line can be on the front lines of feeding children while ending childhood obesity within a generation.  We look forward to working with Chairman Miller and the Committee on these provisions."

 

 

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The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading food, beverage and consumer products companies.  The association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps to protect the safety and security of the food supply through scientific excellence.  The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the association's member companies.  The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation's economy.  For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmaonline.org.