H. Res. 362

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

September 15, 1998.

Whereas Pope John Paul II earlier this year undertook a

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 openair mass since 1959 on the last day of his visit in Jose

Marti Plaza;

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
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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 invoked the name of Father Felix Varela

y Morales, ‘‘an undeniable patriot’’, who ‘‘spoke of democracy, judging it to be the political project best in

keeping with human nature’’, and the name of Jose

Marti, ‘‘a writer and a teacher in the fullest sense of the

word, deeply committed to democracy and independence,

a patriot, a loyal friend even to those who did not share

his political program’’;

Whereas the Pope remembered ‘‘those people who for various

reasons have left the country but still feel that they are

sons and daughters of Cuba’’ and established that ‘‘the

Cuban people should be the protagonists of their own future and destiny’’;

Whereas the Pope both called for greater integration of the

people of Cuba into the international community and

criticized the Castro Government 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
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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 international community to join the

United States in actively supporting the freedom and

democratic reforms for Cuba embodied in the Pope’s

homilies which have peacefully united Cubans in the

common cause of liberty.

Attest:

Clerk.