On the motion and order, referred on May 11, 2022, Docket #0618, resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba and opening up of new travel and collaborative cultural, medical and academic opportunities between the two countries,” the committee submitted a report recommending the resolution ought to pass in a new draft. The report was accepted; the resolution was passed in a new draft; yeas 9, nays 3 (Flaherty, Flynn and Murphy), present 1 (Coletta).
Lucky number 0618 Council are for the following resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba and opening up new travel and collaborative cultural, medical and academic opportunities between the two countries. Thank you. The chair recognizes counsel of our counsel. Ira. You have the floor. Thank you, President Flynn. I'm excited to present this resolution here today. I'm going to give a little background on February 3rd, and I'm sure that most people know this. On February 3rd. In 1962, President John F Kennedy imposed the U.S. embargo on Cuba, the 60th anniversary of the embargo as a stark reminder of the United States policy failures and one of the longest lasting series of sanctions in its foreign policy history. Today, more than half a century since the embargo was put in place, the Biden administration continues to uphold what is ultimately a symbol of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba amid the most challenging humanitarian crisis on the island since the 1980s. In 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimated that the embargo cost the United States economy 1.2 billion per year in lost sales and exports. The Cuban government estimates that the embargo has cost the island 144 billion as of 2021. In 2014, the Obama administration lifted restrictions for Cuban-Americans to travel and send family donors, donate remittances. Excuse me, English is not my first language, so sometimes I put the wrong emphasis on the wrong syllables. Reestablish the U.S. Embassy in Havana. Remove Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list. It also expanded access to the Internet. It licenses a range of trade opportunities for US companies and beyond these specific policies. The shift in discourse by US presidential by U.S. president excuse me, really signaled what we consider to be the most significant change in U.S. Cuba policy in 60 years. It also led to 23 bilateral accords on issues that the United States and the government of Cuba consider of mutual interest. Of course, the Trump administration with a like with a lot of other things, undid all of that progress and imposed new restrictions. I am filing this resolution today because this embargo particularly complicates humanitarian assistance to Cuba. The complex licensing requirements effectively prevent food, medicine and medical equipment from reaching Cubans, and it discourages medical equipment sales to the islands. One particularly egregious example of this is that Cuba had a cancelation of ventilator sales by a Swiss company during the pandemic . These restrictive policies make it extremely difficult to send aid to Cuba, and it has damaged the Cuban health care system's ability to respond effectively to the COVID 19 pandemic and ultimately has had a toll on human lives. Although their development, including the research, production and rollout, was delayed because purchases of necessary supplies shipping were complicated by the embargo, Cuba managed to develop its own COVID 19 vaccines. The Biden administration's show of empathy with other countries during the pandemic led them to issue exemptions to certain sanctions that were already interfering with public health responses in Iran, Syria and Venezuela. But these same efforts were notably absent with Cuba. Despite all of these obstacles. Cuba has achieved a 90% vaccination rate with the vaccines that it developed. The city of Boston is home to some of the leading medical, public health and academic institutions in the entire country. And I think we would greatly benefit from the restoration of trade with Cuba by permitting the scientific, biopharmaceutical, medical and public collaboration and exchange, including the importation of Cuban products useful to Boston, such as lifesaving medicines like Herb Report PE, which is a medicine that treats diabetic foot ulcers and Simo backs, which is the Cuban developed vaccine against lung cancer. I think this is an incredible learning opportunity for the city council and our constituents. I think that there is an opportunity here to work towards dispelling myths about Cuba, about the embargo, about socialism, and which is why I am not requesting a suspension of the rules today for this resolution. And I would like to hold a hearing instead. I look forward to ongoing collaboration with my colleagues on this matter and to further building solidarity with the Cuban people. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you. Thank you, counsel. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? The chair recognizes. Counsel Fernandez innocent. Counsel Fernandez innocent. You have the floor. Alex, I'm so happy that you sit right across, Mr. Clarke, because I enjoy you, too. So, Counselor, you know, Laura's offering this resolution, and at the risk of sounding ridiculous, let me say that the true city counselor is guided by great feelings of love for this offer to put forward by counselor. I know those who have visited my office understand what I'm saying. It is past time that we end the embargo on Cuba. The embargo does no good while causing great harm to the people of Cuba. The idea that the embargo is maintained to support human rights is preposterous. As the federal government has supported far more brutal regimes over the years, including Suharto in Indonesia, Pinochet in Chile, Mobutu in Zaire, Congo and many others. Additionally, Cuba has world class health, education, sports, tourism that could mutually benefit to both of our countries. In short, I support my counselor Laura in bringing this forth and end the embargo on Cuba. Additionally, I just want to say Cuba actually offers way more supports to the tiny little archipelago archipelago of ten islands in Cape Verde and west coast of Africa than any other country in the world. And it is the reason why Cape Verde actually has doctors and teachers and professors and lawyers. So out of all the countries, Cuba, tiny little Cuba, it's a reason why keyboard actually has doctors and hospitals. So, again, I support this 100%. Thank you. Thank you. Counsel Fernandez Anderson. Anyone else like to speak on the matter or sign on to the matter if you raise your hand, please. Um. Mr. Clarke, please. Please add Council of Royal Councilor Baker. Councilor Borg. Councilor Braden. Council of Florida Councilors and Council here council. Murphy Council. Were all pleas out the chair. This docket will be assigned to the Committee on Labor, Workforce and Economic Development. Mr. Clarke, please read your code. 06190619 Council. As Brendan Murphy offered the following resolution, recognizing May six through 12, 2022 as National Nurses Week.