Rep. Lemmons III offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 23.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and urge the President of the United States to lift the current United States embargo on Cuba and to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba.

            Whereas, The United States embargo against Cuba has increasingly created physical hardships for the people of Cuba, depriving them of much-needed food and proper medical care.  Many Cuban-Americans living in the United States are concerned about the safety and well-being of their friends and relatives back in Cuba.  They want the United States to end the embargo so that Cuba can achieve the economic growth and prosperity that will lift the Cuban people out of the depths of poverty; and

            Whereas, By denying trade and travel with Cuba, the United States is undermining efforts to spread democracy into other nations.  The United States has recently fought wars in the name of spreading democracy and trades openly with nations such as China in the hope that a free exchange of ideas and goods will promote democratic reforms; and

            Whereas, The United States should adopt a more humane approach to resolving differences with Cuba by encouraging open trade and travel.  Lifting the ban on United States citizens' travel to Cuba would allow persons from the two countries to learn about their differing cultures and thereby promote greater tolerance and mutual respect.  Opening trade would create relationships between citizens and entrepreneurs from both countries that can have a profound effect on transforming the current political situation in Cuba for the better; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and urge the President of the United States to lift the current United States embargo on Cuba and to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this document be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.

R0265 '05