The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“COMMEMORATING THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE SHOOT- DOWN” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1130 on Feb. 14, 2018.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMEMORATING THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE SHOOT-
DOWN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Brothers to the Rescue shoot-down, where three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident were murdered by the tyrannical Castro regime.
On February 24, 1996, Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, Armando Alejandre, and Pablo Morales were on a humanitarian mission over international airspace, over international waters when they were illegally and brutally shot down. This mission over the Florida straits sought to save the lives of Cubans fleeing Castro's grip of power in search of freedom.
Sylvia Iriondo was rescued in a Cessna and brought to the safety of our shores. You see, Mr. Speaker, Sylvia was aboard the only plane that survived on that fatal day. She recounts how, after seeing the burst of smoke over the skyline, the pilot, Jose Basulto--who, along with Sylvia, has testified before the U.S. Congress--pleaded on the radio for his colleagues to respond. Twenty-two years have passed and justice for the deaths of our American heroes has yet to be achieved.
Ruben Martinez Puente, Lorenzo Alberto Perez y Perez, and Francisco Perez y Perez have all been indicted in our U.S. courts for their roles in the murderous Brothers to the Rescue shoot-down, but they have yet to be held accountable.
I have urged administration after administration to bring these perpetrators to the United States so that they can be prosecuted and justice can be served.
Furthermore, the Obama administration made the grave error of releasing Cuban spy Gerardo Hernandez, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage and conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the deaths of these brave pilots--released.
I will continue to urge our Department of Justice to pursue legal action against all current and former Cuban regime operatives who perpetrated that murderous attack against the Brothers to the Rescue aircrafts, its unarmed victims, and all Cuban operatives who planned or otherwise participated in the shoot-down.
To this day, the same regime that violated international law to kill Carlos, Mario, Armando, and Pablo remains as oppressive as ever, routinely beating and harassing peaceful protesters and incarcerating journalists.
We cannot let anyone forget the blood at the hands of the Castro regime. The Brothers to the Rescue and their families will forever serve as an inspiration to those who are willing to endure great sacrifices for the sake of a free Cuba.
Commemorating the 2018 Florida International University Torch Awards
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2018 Torch Awards from my alma mater, Florida International University.
The Torch Award is the highest honor given to both faculty and alumni by the FIU Alumni Association, highlighting the excellence that they bring to their professions and the pride they bring to FIU as an educational institution. Their exceptional achievements and contributions not only to our university but to our Miami community at large have earned them this prestigious award.
This year's honorees include:
Alumnus of the Year Chad Moss, class of 1994. Chad currently serves as the executive vice president of Moss and Associates, one of Florida's largest private construction companies.
Outstanding Faculty Award Recipient Dr. Mark Allen Weiss. Dr. Weiss is an eminent scholar chaired professor and the associate director of academic affairs for the FIU School of Computing and Information Sciences.
Community Leadership Award recipient Seth Crapp of the class of 1998. Seth is a pediatric radiologist and has demonstrated exemplary service and civic engagement in his community through his activism at Knots4Kids, T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, and two-time chair of the group's annual health fair which has benefited thousands of underserved children in Palm Beach.
Lastly, the Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Award recipient, Manny Varas, class of 2010 and an MBA in 2014. Manny, the president and CEO of MV Group, a full service construction company, has made great strides in the early stages of his career.
These individuals, Mr. Speaker, and the many other distinguished alumni honored this year exemplify what it means to be an FIU Panther. Their service to the betterment of our community makes them valuable and deserving of this great honor. I congratulate them all.
Go Panthers.
____________________
