Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Middleton
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for Federal Action - End the Embargo Against Cuba
For the purpose of urging Congress and the President to immediately end all aspects of the United States’ economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, including restrictions on travel to Cuba by United States citizens; urging the United States government to remove the Republic of Cuba from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism; and urging the return of the Guantanamo Bay property to the Republic of Cuba.
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Whereas, Starting in October 1960, the United States government imposed an economic, commercial, and financial embargo on Cuba, amounting to a blockade;
Whereas, the U.S. embargo against Cuba continues to inflict hardship on the people of Cuba by creating shortages of food and financial and trade opportunities, and is thus in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Whereas, the embargo denies U.S. citizens access to advanced Cuban medicines and medical technologies that Cuba willingly shares and implements all over the world, especially in developing countries;
Whereas, an end to the embargo would renew diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, allowing for a significant expansion of international trade, direct travel for the citizens of both countries, dialogue on human rights, and direct mail services, including the reinstatement of family remittances;
Whereas, for 28 consecutive years, the General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted an annual resolution in favor of lifting the U.S. embargo against Cuba;
Whereas, the City of Baltimore has historically enjoyed medical, labor, cultural, sports, and interpersonal exchanges with Cuba, including medical exchanges with the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, Baltimore-Cuba baseball games, performances by Cuban musicians Buena Vista Social Club at the Baltimore Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and being sister cities with Matanzas;
Whereas, normalization of relations with Cuba would continue to enrich Baltimore’s cultural, historical, and economic life; and
Whereas, Cuba’s material support helped abolish apartheid in South Africa and the Baltimore City Council played a significant role in the divestment from apartheid South Africa.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council urges Congress and the President to immediately end all aspects of the United States’ economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba, including restrictions on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, to remove Cuba from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism, and return the property of Guantanamo Bay to Cuba.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Maryland Congressional Delegation, the Baltimore City Delegation to the General Assembly, the Mayor, the Baltimore City Council President, the City Council President’s legislative staff, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.