It is our duty to support democracy and be a voice for those 11 million Cubans oppressed throughout the island. By appeasing dictators. we have disappointed people all over the world who are struggling to achieve freedom. and the White House has betrayed core American values and principles: the respect for human rights and the right for people to choose their own destiny. As the first Cuban Americanborn Member of Congress who went from being a political refugee. fleeing the oppressive and brutal Castro regime. to a senior Member of this hallowed and cherished body. I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that the cause for freedom and democracy in Cuba is not forgotten. Until the oppressive yoke of tyranny installed by the Castro brothers has been lifted and the regime has been replaced by a representative democracy like the one we have here in our cherished Nation.