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E1456 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 27, 2001 of public authorities in Romania should be al- JOSEPH ‘‘RED’’ JONES HONORED 26 OF JULY MOVEMENT together ended. It is time—and past time—for these simple steps to be taken. HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART As Chairman-in-Office, Minister Geoana has HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI OF FLORIDA repeatedly expressed his concern about the OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES trafficking of human beings into forced pros- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES titution and other forms of slavery in the Friday, July 27, 2001 OSCE region. The OSCE has proven to be an Friday, July 27, 2001 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, yesterday effective forum for addressing this particular Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today marked another anniversary of the tragic human rights violation, and I commend Min- to call the attention of the House of Rep- events of July 26, 1953, when Fidel Castro, ister Geoana for maintaining the OSCE’s resentatives to the long history of service to along with a band of supporters, attacked a focus on the issue. the community by my good friend, Joseph military barracks in eastern Cuba in order to Domestically, Romania is also in a position ‘‘Red’’ Jones of Luzerne County, Pennsyl- make a name for himself, causing the deaths to lead by example in combating trafficking. of dozens of Cubans in what will doubtless be Notwithstanding that the State Department’s vania. Red will be honored with a tribute on August 17, 2001, the 50th anniversary of his considered as a national day of mourning in first annual Trafficking in Persons report char- Cuban history. acterizes Romania as a ‘‘Tier 3’’ country in the calling square dances, which he has done ex- clusively for charity for the past 20 years. An acute observer of 20th century Cuban fight against human trafficking—that is, a history, long-time journalist and writer Jack Red first started calling square dances at country which does not meet minimum stand- Skelly, has written a very interesting account the age of 13, and is considered to be among ards for the elimination of trafficking and is not of some of the tragic circumstances sur- the best callers in eastern Pennsylvania. As making significant efforts to bring itself into rounding the 26th of July, 1953, and the so befits his spirit of service, the event being held compliance with those standards—it is clear called ‘‘26 of July Movement’’ . It was pub- to honor him will raise money for several local the Government of Romania is moving in a lished in yesterday’s Miami Herald and I sub- positive direction to address the trafficking of charities supported by the Volunteers of Amer- mit it for the record for the benefit of my col- human beings from and through its territory. ica, including the Caring Alternatives Pantry, leagues and the American people. For example, the Ministry of Justice is actively The Hartman Home and Dial-A-Driver. working on a new anti-trafficking law. The gov- Red has used this talent to benefit countless THE MEN WHO LEFT THE 26TH OF JULY MOVEMENT ernment is also cooperating closely with the community organizations, school groups and Regional Center for Combating Trans-Border booster clubs, church organizations, volunteer (by Jack Skelly) Crime, created under the auspices of the fire companies, little leagues and youth clubs, One more 26th of July—count them. It has Southeast European Cooperative Initiative and Habitat for Humanity, Valley Santa and termi- been 48 years since Fidel Castro, his brother Rau´ l, 17 men and two women attacked located in Bucharest, and in particular, with nally ill individuals. He has donated numerous the Center’s anti-human trafficking task force. Moncada, the Cuban army barracks in hours of his time so that these organizations Santiago de Cuba. I encourage the Govenmient of Romania to and good causes could generate more rev- continue with these efforts and to undertake Twenty soldiers were killed. Fidel Castro enue and build their capacity to serve others. and five others escaped to the nearby hills, additional initiatives. For example, law en- where they soon were captured, tried and forcement officers in Romania, as in many In addition to helping countless community causes by calling square dances for them, sentenced to 15 years each. other OSCE States, are still in need of thor- However, in May 1955, they were freed in a ough training on how to investigate and pros- Red has been a weekly volunteer for the past general amnesty by the Cuban Congress. Cas- ecute cases of suspected human trafficking. 17 years at Mercy Center, a Sisters of Mercy tro then went to Mexico to prepare for the Training which reinforces the principle that sponsored nursing home in Dallas, Pennsyl- Dec. 2, 1956, invasion of Cuba with 81 men. trafficked persons deserve a compassionate vania, where he spends a great deal of time Now once more Castro will be in the center response from law enforcement—as they are comforting and helping the residents. where he will recount in a three -or four- Red’s charitable works are only part of his hour speech (if he can endure that long) the victims of crime themselves, not criminals—is glories of that 26th of July and the events necessary. When such training leads to more long history of service to the community. He that led up to the great victory on Jan. 1, arrests of traffickers and more compassion to- has served the nation as a Marine in the late 1959, when the revolution took over from the ward trafficking victims, Romania will be a re- 1950s and for most of the 1960s. He also Batista regime. gional leader in the fight against this modem served his neighbors for four years as a Sadly, Castro will not be able to tell his slavery. Luzerne County Commissioner and for 14 audience that most of the leaders of the 26th Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say a years as a member of the Lake-Lehman of July movement ‘‘are at my side today.’’ few words about the Romani minority in Ro- School Board. He served twice as president of The original 26th of July movement dis- mania. Romania may have as many as 2 mil- appeared almost immediately after Castro the school board, and during his tenure the sold out to the Soviet Union and the Cuban lion Roma, and certainly has the largest num- district showed tremendous improvement in Communist Party. ber of Roma of any OSCE country. Like else- academic performance and participation in The democratic members of the movement where in the region, they face discrimination in athletic and extracurricular programs. who fought side by side with him in the Si- labor, public places, education, and housing. I Mr. Speaker, I can tell you from personal erra Maestra mountains and were in the un- am especially concerned about persistent and experience that he worked well as a county derground in the cities and towns are dead, credible reports that Roma are subjected to commissioner with citizens and community in jail or in exile. police abuse, such as the raids at the Zabrauti leaders from both parties. His nonpartisan ap- BETRAYED COMRADES housing development, near Bucharest, on Jan- proach to government was instrumental in im- The following are some of the original uary 12, and in Brasov on February I and 9 of proving flood protection throughout the Wyo- members who were double-crossed by Castro: *Maj. Sorı´ Marı´n, author of the original this year. I commend Romani CRISS and ming Valley, expanding Luzerne County Com- other groups that have worked to document agrarian-reform program, who fought along- munity College, paving the way for the side Castro in the mountains, was caught these problems. I urge the Romanian Govern- Luzerne County Arena, creating a countywide ment to intensify its efforts to prevent abusive conspiring with other rebel army officers 911 emergency response system and boosting who had fought to restore democracy and practices on the part of the police and to hold key initiatives for economic development. freedom to Cuba. He was executed on specific individual police officers accountable when Last but certainly not least, under Red’s orders of Castro himself several days before they violate the law. the Bay of Pigs invasion, April 17, 1961. In the coming months, the OSCE will con- leadership as basketball coach at St. Vincent’s *Maj. Victor Mora saved Fidel, Rau´ l, Che duct the Human Dimension Implementation High School in Pittston, the school was hon- Guevara and other survivors when they land- Review meeting in Warsaw, a Conference on ored with four consecutive Wyoming Valley ed from Mexico on Dec. 2, 1956. A Sierra Roma and Sinti Affairs in Bucharest, and the Basketball Officials Sportsmanship awards for Maestra native, Mora led them around the Ministerial Council meeting also in Bucharest, sportsmanship, conduct and respect of the Cuban Army to a safe haven high up in the among other meetings and seminars. The leg- game, the officials and opposing teams. mountains. After the victory, it didn’t take Mora long acy of the Romanian Chairmanship will entail Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the at- to realize that he and others had been sold not only the leadership demonstrated in these tention of the House of Representatives the out by Castro. Caught conspiring, Mora was venues but also progress made at home long and distinguished service of Joseph sentenced to 10 years. Once released, he es- through further compliance with OSCE com- ‘‘Red’’ Jones to his neighbors and the nation, caped to the United States, where he lived mitments.

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