• Calls needed to your Rep.
   
• New Rangel-Emerson bill on travel and ag
• Funding update
   

June 20, 2007

Dear Cuba Policy Advocates:

I. Cuba Legislation:

URGENT: Please call your member of Congress if she/he is a current cosponsor of HR 654 (see http://www.lawg.org/countries/cuba/co-sponsors_hr654.htm for the list of 114 cosponsors) to ask her/him to become an original cosponsor of new Cuba bill that Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) are introducing tomorrow. That means that original cosponsors must call Mr. Rangel's office TODAY to be listed on the original bill.

This bill, "Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007" will:
1) Lift the travel ban
2) Remove pre-payment requirement for agriculture exports to Cuba
3) Allow for direct banking from Cuba in relation to payments from agricultural sales
4) Provide visas to Cubans whose intent is to inspect and/or purchase agricultural goods
5) Eliminate onsite verification requirement applied to medicine and medical devise exports
6) Repeal of Section 211
7) Support of an Agricultural Export Promotion Program with respect to Cuba administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To make it simple, the bill will end the travel ban (same as HR 654) plus make it easier for U.S. farmers to sell their products to Cuba.

Tell your representative:

1) You have ready cosponsored HR 654 to end the ban on travel to Cuba.
2) Reps. Rangel and Emerson want you to cosponsor the new Cuba Ag and Travel bill TODAY.
3) The Rangel-Emerson bill will end the travel ban (same as HR 654) plus make it easier for U.S. farmers to sell their products to Cuba.
4) Call Vivian Catalino in Rep. Rangel's office to cosponsor (5-4365) or email her at Vivian.Catalino@mail.house.gov .
5) Sorry for the short timeline, but this must be done today.

Thank you for making these calls today. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be transferred to your representative's office. If you don't know who your representative is, go to www.house.gov .

II. Help LAWGEF publish "Love, Loss and Longing" in book format:

Many thanks to those of you who have contributed to our efforts to publish the Cuban-American family photo exhibit in book format. We want every member of Congress to receive a copy of the book to help them understand the cruel nature of the travel ban and the need for change. We have received more than $3,000 towards the publication of this book. The book is going to cost more than $20,000 to publish and distribute. We still need your help.

There is still time to contribute to help make this project possible. Please, please help us reach our goal of raising $6,000 toward this project. Go to http://www.lawg.org/misc/Donations.htm to donate by credit card (indicate "Cuba Program," or send your donation check to us at LAWG, 424 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Be sure to indicate "Cuba Program" on your check to contibute to this program. LAWGEF donations are tax-deductible.

III. Cuba on the House floor today:

There is legislative action on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today dealing with both (1) cutting funding for USAID that is for support of "democracy assistance" programs in Cuba and (2) resisting an increase in funding for TV and Radio Marti. We are working the phones and emails right now to oppose amendments to the Foreign Aid bill that would increase these funding levels. Stay tuned.

Thanks again for all your actions and your financial support. Nothing would happen without you!

Sincerely,
Mavis Anderson
Latin America Working Group