Congressional delegation in Cuba is pretty doggone impressed

[magbana]

GRANMA INTERNATIONAL
Havana. April 6, 2009

Majority of U.S citizens against the blockade of Cuba

Juan Diego Nusa Peñalver

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/april/lun6/Majority.html

CONGRESSWOMAN Barbara Lee has stated that 68% of U.S. citizens are for the
elimination of the U.S. government’s economic, commercial, and financial
blockade of Cuba.

The federal representative for the state of California and current president
of the Congressional Black Caucus gave a press conference at the Hotel
Nacional with Congressman Mike Honda.

After visiting the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center, Lee said:
"We have discovered the progress made by Cuba in the production of vaccines
and medicines for diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis and many other
diseases."

She added that she and the other members of the delegation of congress
members were very impressed with the low incidence of Hepatitis B on the
island.

She affirmed that they left the meeting convinced that putting an end to the
blockade would open interesting cooperation between scientists in both
countries.

She stated that she was also impressed by the rapid introduction of Cuba’s
scientific achievements into social practice on the island. She stressed
that she would like scientists at biotechnology centers in the U.S. district
that she represents to travel to the Caribbean nation to learn about the
Cuban advances in this field.

Fellow Democratic Representative Mike Honda said that he was moved by the
tribute last Saturday, the 41st anniversary of his assassination, to
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior at the monument to his memory in the
Cuban capital.

"It moved me to see the words of some of the heroes of my country, like
those of Dr. King, together with those of Fidel Castro and other
revolutionaries."

Members of the delegation of US congressmen that have been visiting Cuba
since last Friday include Melvin Watt, Marcia Fudge, Bobby Rush, Laura
Richardson and Emanuel Cleaver, all members of the U.S. Congressional Black
Caucus.

The delegation met with Ricardo Alarcón, president of the National Assembly
of People’s Power, and with Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, foreign affairs
minister.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Hope to hear more about this group's trip, too. So glad they've gone there. n/t