Congressman José E. Serrano

Representing the Sixteenth District of New York

PRESS RELEASE

 

Washington, DC, December 13, 2005—Today Congressman José E. Serrano began circulating three letters for signature urging various officials to allow the Cuban national baseball team to play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. The texts of the letters follow.

 

The letters will be sent at the end of this week to Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary John Snow urging them to allow the Cuban national team to play in the tournament and to issue visas for them to be able to do so.

 

“Let’s leave the politics out of this,” Serrano said. “The World Baseball Classic should not be tainted by our grudge against Cuba’s government. Cuba produces some of the finest baseball talent in the world and they deserve to participate. Let’s let them play baseball so fans worldwide can enjoy this great tournament as it was meant to be.”

 

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Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 060

Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202-5300

 

Dear Commissioner Selig:

 

            We would like to express our support for the decision to invite Cuba, a member of the International Baseball Federation, to the World Baseball Classic.

 

            Cuba has a competitive team and its presence in this tournament will enhance the overall quality of the contest.  We are looking forward to this 18-day opportunity to see some of the world’s best baseball teams engaging in friendly competition, and we do not believe that politics has any part in this event.  Politics and the political relationships between countries can be debated by our diplomats and in the United Nations, but let’s keep this a simple sporting event.

 

            There is a tradition, as exemplified by the Olympic Games, of encouraging international competition. In fact, Cuba participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Allowing Cuba’s participation in the World Baseball Classic follows this longstanding practice.

           

            We will also be writing to Secretary Snow and Secretary Rice to express our support for allowing Cuba to participate. Let’s not take our complex international relationships to the baseball field, but instead let’s just enjoy the game and put sportsmanship over politics.

 

 

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The Honorable Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of State

Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, D.C.   20520

 

Dear Secretary Rice:

 

            We are pleased to learn that Cuba, a member of the International Baseball Federation, has accepted the offer to play in the World Baseball Classic.             

 

            This will give all nations a chance to put aside politics and simply enjoy an outstanding baseball competition played on the world stage.  We hope that the Department of State will issue all of the necessary visas that will allow Cuba’s talented baseball players to travel to the United States for the games that are scheduled in our country.

 

            There is a tradition, as exemplified by the Olympic Games, of encouraging international competition. In fact, Cuba participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Allowing Cuba’s participation in the World Baseball Classic follows this longstanding practice.

 

            This is an opportunity for people throughout the world to enjoy the competition, and we hope that the requisite visas will be quickly granted.  Let’s not take our complex international relationships to the baseball field, but instead let’s just allow this unique baseball experience to move forward.  It is time to put sportsmanship over politics.

 

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The Honorable John W. Snow

Secretary

Department of the Treasury

15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C.  20220

 

Dear Secretary Snow:

 

            As a result of its membership in the International Baseball Federation, Cuba was invited to participate in the first World Baseball Classic.

 

            We are writing to urge that the Treasury Department quickly approve and issue the license that would allow Cuba to receive tournament funding.  U.S. politics has no place in what is clearly an international sports competition, and we look forward to seeing Cuba compete on the baseball field. 

 

            There is a tradition, as exemplified by the Olympic Games, of encouraging international competition. In fact, Cuba participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Allowing Cuba’s participation in the World Baseball Classic follows this longstanding practice.

 

            In closing, we urge that you avoid the politicization of what should instead be a chance for all who love baseball throughout the world to simply enjoy 18 days of great baseball.  It is time to put sportsmanship over politics.

 

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Congressman José E. Serrano has represented the Bronx in the House of Representatives since 1990.