HR 9101

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution designating February 24, 2010, as the "Day of
3	the Cuban Exile."
4
5	WHEREAS, on February 24, 1895, Jose Marti and the patriotic
6	Mambises initiated the final and triumphant battle for the
7	freedom of Cuba against the forces of foreign domination, and
8	WHEREAS, since the heroic achievement of Cuban
9	independence, the Republic of Cuba played an important role in
10	the development of Western values until, in 1959, under the
11	guise of democratic reform, the forces of Communism took over
12	the island, and
13	WHEREAS, the implementation of Communism led to the
14	dismantling of Cuba's institutions and the suppression of its
15	democratic ideals, while fueling the ambitions and malice of
16	politicians, guerillas, drug traffickers, demagogues, and
17	tyrannical political candidates, and
18	WHEREAS, when the Communist dictatorship took control of
19	the island, the citizens of Cuba continued to battle for freedom
20	and many Cubans were killed by firing squads, thousands were
21	imprisoned, and millions were exiled, and those who remain
22	continue to live and die without human rights and in extreme
23	poverty but have never renounced their dignity and passion for
24	justice, and
25	WHEREAS, Cubans who have escaped into exile remain an
26	enduring and indivisible element of the eternal Cuba and
27	continue to seek solidarity with all freedom-loving, democratic
28	governments and nations in their crusade for God, Country, and
29	Liberty, and
30	WHEREAS, on February 24, 1996, four members of Brothers to
31	the Rescue, a group formed by Cuban exiles to assist refugees
32	escaping from Cuba, were assassinated by the Cuban Air Force as
33	they flew a humanitarian mission in international waters, and
34	WHEREAS, the date February 24 holds a special historical
35	and emotional significance for Cuban exiles, NOW, THEREFORE,
36
37	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
38	Florida:
39
40	That February 24, 2010, is designated as the "Day of the
41	Cuban Exile."

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.