HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES—Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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September 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 16 22241 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—Tuesday, September 22, 2009 The House met at 12:30 p.m. and was tempt to break down barriers and ask stars, such as Olga Tanon of Puerto Rico and called to order by the Speaker pro tem- people to join in common purpose. Miguel Bose´ of Spain. Under the watchful gaze of a huge mural of pore (Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland). Both the United States and Cuban Ernesto ‘‘Che’’ Guevara, and beneath the so- f governments helped facilitate the con- cialist slogan ‘‘Always Toward Victory!’’ on cert, including providing Juanes and the side of the Ministry of Interior building, DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO his company of 15 international and there was no trouble from the mostly young TEMPORE Cuban artists full control over message crowd. Many were dressed in white, in keep- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- and staging. The Departments of State, ing with the peaceful vibe. Treasury and Commerce, and espe- From the stage, framed by giant posters of fore the House the following commu- a white dove, musicians offered hopeful but nication from the Speaker: cially Secretary of State Hillary Clin- admittedly vague appeals for change, soli- WASHINGTON, DC, ton, are to be commended for providing darity and, of course, peace. Bose´ told the September 22, 2009. in record time the various licenses and crowd that ‘‘the greatest dream we can live I hereby appoint the Honorable DONNA F. authorities required for U.S. musi- is to dream the dream of peace.’’ He also an- EDWARDS to act as Speaker pro tempore on cians, technicians, musical and produc- nounced that there were more than a million this day. tion equipment to travel and enter people in the square, though there were no NANCY PELOSI, Cuba. official estimates. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Tanon shouted that she brought greetings This is the second Peace Without from Miami—home of many Cuban exiles f Borders concert organized by Juanes in who live in opposition to the Cuban govern- what he hopes will be a series of con- MORNING-HOUR DEBATE ment—and no one in the crowd booed, but in- certs in the hemisphere in places where stead whistled and cheered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- people, if not politicians, might be The United States has pursued a policy of ant to the order of the House of Janu- open to a message of change, especially economic embargo and diplomatic freeze ary 6, 2009, the Chair will now recog- young people, who are more readily en- against Cuba for almost 50 years, hoping to nize Members from lists submitted by topple the government, to no avail. Despite gaged by the language of rock-and-roll. promises by President Obama, change in the the majority and minority leaders for The first such concert took place last U.S.-Cuba relationship has been slow in com- morning-hour debate. year on the Peace Bridge on the border ing. The Chair will alternate recognition of Colombia and Venezuela when mili- In an interview aired Sunday on the Span- between the parties, with each party tary tensions escalated between the ish-language network Univision, Obama ac- limited to 30 minutes and each Mem- two countries. knowledged that the concert would only go so far. ‘‘I certainly don’t think it hurts U.S.- ber, other than the majority and mi- I applaud Juanes and all the partici- nority leaders and the minority whip, Cuban relations,’’ he said. ‘‘I wouldn’t over- pating artists for their courage, their state the degree that it helps.’’ limited to 5 minutes. vision and commitment to working to- The plaza is iconic as the scene of some of f gether to communicate directly to the Fidel Castro’s biggest rallies and longest Cuban people through the language of speeches, though he has not been seen in OVER ONE MILLION ATTEND ‘‘PAZ music. public for almost three years, after intes- SIN FRONTERAS’’ CONCERT More than just a rock concert, this tinal surgery. Anti-Castro Cuban exiles in Miami have voiced heated opposition to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The massive cultural event in Havana was a concert, saying it only served to support the Chair recognizes the gentleman from moving and emotional testament, even government here, which would milk the Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN) for 5 to many of its critics, about the power event for publicity even as it imprisons hun- minutes. of the human spirit to reach across dreds of political dissidents. Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, on barriers during times of tension and Because of his participation, Juanes has Sunday, a historic event took place in opportunities. The ripples and waves received death threats. But some of the pres- sure on him eased when, earlier this month, Havana, Cuba. An estimated 1.2 million created by this concert are just begin- 24 of the 75 Cuban opposition leaders arrested people attended an all-star concert ning to be felt in Cuba, the United in a 2003 crackdown on dissent signed a let- made up of many of the top Latin pop, States and throughout the hemisphere. ter saying the show must go on. rock and salsa stars from Latin Amer- I very much look forward to supporting ‘‘We came to Cuba with love. We have over- ica, Europe, Puerto Rico and Cuba. other Paz Sin Fronteras initiatives in come fear to be with you, and we hope that The concert, known as Paz Sin the future. you too can overcome it,’’ Juanes told the Fronteras, or Peace Without Borders, Madam Speaker, I include the fol- masses. ‘‘All the young people, from Miami in the United States and in all the cities, was the dream of Colombian singer, lowing materials for the RECORD. must understand the importance of turning songwriter and multiple Latin [From the Washington Post, Sept. 21, 2009] hate into love.’’ Grammy winner Juanes and his two IN CASTRO COUNTRY, GIVING A CONCERT FOR More than 100 buses could be counted primary collaborators Miguel Bose of PEACE bringing young people to the concert. ‘‘This is the best concert to come to Cuba in, like, Spain and Olga Tanon of Puerto Rico. (By William Booth) The message of the Peace Without 50 years,’’ said Yeilene Fernandez, a student HAVANA.—Rock-and-roll diplomacy came at the University of Havana who was dancing Border concerts is to circumvent poli- to the communist isle on a smoldering after- with friends. ticians, and using the medium of noon, as hundreds of thousands of Cubans Sitting in his hotel room on the eighth music, speak directly to young people filled the Plaza of the Revolution on Sunday floor of the Hotel Nacional the night before and encourage them to think in fresh and sang along to a dozen international mu- the show, Juanes was typing out messages ways—to change their way of think- sical acts led by the Colombian singer and for his Twitter followers. He was wearing a ing—and leave behind the old politics, peace activist Juanes. silver crucifix, jeans and a T-shirt. ‘‘It’s im- the old hatreds, prejudices and na- The free ‘‘Peace without Borders’’ concert portant to do this. I know this in my heart,’’ was criticized by hard-line Cuban exiles in he said. ‘‘Our region, Latin America, is very tional enmities that have locked too Miami as a propaganda coup for the Castro complicated right now. We’re all going our many people into patterns of conflict, brothers, and that it might have been. But separate ways because of our ideologies. It’s violence, poverty and despair, dividing for thousands of young Cubans, it was a rare time to change our minds, to do something them from one another. It is an at- treat to hear a lineup of global Latin music beyond politics, for young people.’’ b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:34 Apr 06, 2012 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H22SE9.000 H22SE9 wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD 22242 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 16 September 22, 2009 Juanes had previously met with Obama ad- community for organizing the concert be- to the communist island, tuned in from the ministration officials, and being a 17-time cause they believed it would lend support to Kendall home of president Francisco ‘‘Pepe’’ Latin Grammy winner who has become a the Castro regime. Juanes, who had insisted Hernandez. kind of roving diplomat in Latin America, he the concert had nothing to do with politics, They watched in awe as Juanes performed, got to see Secretary of State Hillary made it political after all, to much approval his lyrics and short speeches flirting with po- Rodham Clinton. She gave her blessing to his from Miami’s naysayers. litical commentary. participation in the concert. He moved away from the day’s ambiguities ‘‘To go to that same plaza—where [Cubans] ‘‘We asked what they thought, and they and shouted a straightforward ‘‘Cuba libre! have been forced to listen to things they said, ‘Go ahead.’ She was very positive,’’ he Cuba libre!’’ (Free Cuba!) And then he don’t believe in—for music? It’s great,’’ Her- said. ‘‘Me, I am Colombian, so I didn’t need chanted, ‘‘One Cuban family! One Cuban fam- nandez said.