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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 362 Introduced in House (IH)]

105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 362

    Commending the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Cuba.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 12, 1998

 Mr. Gallegly (for himself, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Houghton, 
 Mr. Ballenger, and Mr. Campbell) submitted the following resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Commending the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Cuba.

Whereas Pope John Paul II recently completed a five-day first ever Papal visit 
        to Cuba to speak directly to the Cuban people;
Whereas the Pope led the Cuban people in celebration throughout the island, 
        including leading the largest open-air mass since 1959 on the last day 
        of his visit in the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana;
Whereas the Pope spoke directly with the Cuban people and the Cuban Government 
        about the importance of fundamental human rights and the necessity for 
        ``each person enjoying freedom of expression, being free to undertake 
        initiatives and make proposals within civil society, and enjoying 
        appropriate freedom of association'';
Whereas the Pope called for political freedom in Cuba, including a call to 
        release ``those who are isolated, persecuted, imprisoned for various 
        offenses or for reasons of conscience, for ideas which though dissident 
        are nonetheless peaceful'';
Whereas the Pope called for greater religious freedom in Cuba and a ``harmonious 
        social climate and a suitable legislation that enables every person and 
        every religious confession to live their faith freely, to express that 
        faith in the context of public life, and to count on adequate resources 
        and opportunities to bring its spiritual, moral, and civil benefits to 
        bear on the life of the nation'';
Whereas Cuban churches of all faiths supported the Papal visit and emerged from 
        the visit with expectations of greater prominence and freedom to operate 
        in Cuban society;
Whereas the Pope called for greater integration of the people of Cuba into the 
        international community by saying, ``imposed isolation strikes the 
        people indiscriminately, making it ever more difficult for the weakest 
        to enjoy the bare essentials of decent living''; and
Whereas the Pope challenged Cuba and the international community of nations by 
        saying, ``May Cuba with all its magnificent potential, open itself up to 
        the world, and may the world open itself up to Cuba'': Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends Pope John Paul II for his visit to Cuba, for 
        his frank criticism of the Cuban Government, and his message of 
        hope to the Cuban people; and
            (2) urges the President to build upon the visit of Pope 
        John Paul II and to support the Pope's message to the Cuban 
        people.
                                 <all>
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