Number
020338
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
000432
Sponsor
ALD. HENNINGSEN AND RICHARDS
Title
Resolution supporting improved relations between the United States and Cuba.
Analysis
This resolution urges:
1. The United States Congress to repeal travel restrictions to Cuba as well as restrictions on trade and commerce with Cuba.
2. The President of the United States to carefully review the inclusion of Cuba on the list of terrorist countries.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee was settled in great part by people from around the world; and
Whereas, The Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 000432 on October 10, 2000, establishing a sister city relationship between Milwaukee and the City of Nuevitas, Cuba; and
Whereas, Cuban-born American citizens and other citizens in Milwaukee have had a long-standing interest in the affairs of Cuba and have established personal and organizational relationships with that country, the province of Camaguey and the municipality of Neuvitas in particular; and
Whereas, Citizens of the City of Milwaukee have visited Nuevitas on numerous occasions, establishing relationships and delivering humanitarian supplies to people in Nuevitas, and have experienced the unexcelled ecological beauty of its keys and beaches; and
Whereas, An outdated American policy has for too long prevented non-licensed Americans from exercising their constitutional right to travel to Cuba and has resulted in Milwaukee residents being assessed fines; and
Whereas, For over 40 years, the American policy of isolation and embargo have contributed to daily hardships for the people of Cuba, including the families of Milwaukeeans, children and seniors; and
Whereas, These travel restrictions and economic embargo do not reflect the high moral and ethical values the United States takes pride in the manner it conducts its foreign policy; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Public Museum has donated a collection of photographs for the Nuevitas Municipal Museum, and further cooperative projects have been proposed; and
Whereas, Milwaukee and Wisconsin have been leaders in medical research and development, which has been of assistance to people around the world, and a growing and mutually beneficial exchange with Cuban health professionals is underway; and
Whereas, Cuba has developed important medicines and vaccines which would be of great benefit to our citizens; and
Whereas, In this time of global terrorism, the Cuban government has offered assistance in combating terrorism against American citizens, and the United States Department of Defense has confirmed that Cuba does not pose a threat to the United States; and
Whereas, The United States government, has without evidence, accused Cuba of collaborating with rogue states to develop biological warfare weapons; and
Whereas, America's closest allies, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and France have indicated that Cuba does not belong on a list of states that support international terrorism; and
Whereas, Secretary of State Colin Powell has publicly recognized the significant accomplishments Cuba has made in the areas of public health and education; and
Whereas, Cuba imports upwards of $1 billion worth of food every year, including 60,000 tons of dairy products, a substantial untapped market unavailable to Wisconsin farmers; and
Whereas, Cuban Harley Davidson owners ("Harleyistas") await replacement parts for first time in over 40 years, and the same holds true for machinery and equipment manufacturers in almost all areas; and
Whereas, The travel industry, including travel agencies in Wisconsin are suffering from a severe recession in their industry, while tourism opportunities in Cuba still remain unreachable to most of American travel professionals and citizens; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council urges the United States Congress to repeal all travel restrictions to Cuba as well as restrictions on trade and commerce with Cuba; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council further urges the President of the United States to carefully review the inclusion of Cuba on the list of terrorist countries, based on actual evidence and not political factors; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward copies of this resolution to the President of the United States and members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation.
Drafter
LRB02262-1
TWM/cac
5/28/2002