Rep. Bobby L. Rush discusses Cuba mission with Chicago's Latino American leadership; says its time to "bury the misconceptions, failed policies."

On Tuesday, April 14, nearly 100 leaders from Chicago's Latino American community attended a debriefing with Congressman Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) to hear a report on his recent trip to Cuba. The gathering, hosted by Rev. Slim Coleman and activist, Emma Lozano, was held at Adalberto United Methodist Church, 2716 W. Division Street, in the city's Little Village community.

The popular congressman was invited to give his report just days before the U.S. will participate in the fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago where the president will meet with 33 other democratically elected heads of state and government. Cuba, which does not have a democratically chosen leader, was the only country in the hemisphere not invited.

In addition to the leaders from Chicago area churches, health care agencies and business, civic, legal and community groups, many Cuban Americans were also in attendance. About 1.5 million Americans have relatives in Cuba.

Rep. Rush's remarks, interpreted in Spanish, were interrupted several times by vigorous applause as he discussed the need to end the 50-year-embargo. The U.S. imposed Cuba trade and travel bans after Fidel Castro took power in Havana in 1959. Since 1962, the U.S policy toward Cuba has consisted largely only of isolatimg the Island and its people, through comprehensive economic sanctions, including an embargo on trade and financial transactions.

"It was appropriate for me to travel to Cuba so we can kill and bury the misconceptions, the bad attitudes, the failed policies of our nation so that a new resurrection can take place—a resurrection where understanding, truth, justice and equality will prevail," Rep. Rush said.

Rep. Rush, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, said the Obama Administration's recent decision to lift Cuba travel, remittance and mail restrictions is 'a significant step in the right direction.' The changes will allow Cuban immigrants in the U.S. to visit family members on the island and allow unlimited cash remittances to relatives back home.

On April 2 – 7 Rep. Rush joined six other members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on the mission to determine opportunities for expanded trade opportunities for American businesses, is a co-sponsor of H. R. 874, "The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act," legislation that would end the current ban on travel by Americans to Cuba.  The congressman was one of three U.S. officials to meet with former Cuban President Fidel Castro. The entire delegation, led by CBC Chair U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, also met for four hours with President Raul Castro.

"(The decision to lift certain restrictions) is a significant step in the right direction," Rep. Rush said. "However, we should also explore other opportunities that would serve to stimulate the American economy. We want to expand and create jobs while also increasing tourism. American tourists are America's best ambassadors and a free people must be able to travel freely. Normalizing trade relations with Cuba is in the best interest of both nations, and we look forward to discussing these issues with the administration in order to serve the interests of the American economy."

Rep. Rush is slated to conduct congressional hearings on Cuba in late April.

Congressman Bobby L. Rush receives a warm welcome as he enters Adalberto United Methodist Church to discuss his recent trip to Cuba as part of a U.S. congressional delegation. Nearly 100 leaders from Chicago's Latino community were joined by Cuban American immigrants to hear the report.