Speech #870006378

Res. 11) to provide a University of Free Cuba. submitted by Mr. MUNDT. was received and referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. as follows: Whereas there has long been a bond of friendship between the people of Cuba and the people of the United States dating from the years when the American people did battle for Cubas freedom. and Whereas these bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries continue despite the unsuccessful efforts of a current dictatorship to stir up suspicion and hate between them. and Whereas the great goals of freedom set by the patriot Jose Marti are just as revered today by the Cuban and American people despite the current suppression of those freedoms in Cuba. and Whereas many thousands of Cubans are now residing in the United States in order to take advantage of the freedoms they once enjoyed at home. and Whereas among these guests in the United States are many students whose education has been interrupted. and many professors from the once free University of Havana who have fled the tyranny and suppression which has replaced the once sovereign right of the university to teach and maintain the hardwon freedoms of Jose Marti. and Whereas the citizens of the United States recognize and esteem education at all levels. particularly the university level where international educational exchange programs have been operated for many years with great success. and Whereas the aforementioned students. even if able to locate employment in order to continue their studies. will still need additional financial assistance to accomplish this: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring). That the President is requested to exercise his authority under the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and the Mutual Security Act of 1954 to establish and operate a program to be known as the "University of Free Cuba." under which assistance in the pursuit of education will be furnished to college students in the United States from Cuba in need of such assistance because of the severance of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. or because they are refugees in the United States from Cuba. The President is requested to enter into such cooperative agreements and arrangements with colleges. universities. and public and private associations as he deems necessary to carry out such program. be it further Resolved. That. concurrent with the administration and operation of this program. the President is requested to .examine the feasibility and desirability of establishing on a permanent basis. a "University of the Americas." under which the facilities of such an institution would be accessible to students and professors of all nations of the Western Hemisphere under a curriculum specially drawn to impart deeper understanding of those legal. social. commercial and political problems common to the nations of the Western Hemisphere.