Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Wishing the delegation of Madisonians visiting our Sister City, Camagüey, Cuba, in January 2020 much success in their endeavors to maintain the links of friendship between our communities and calling for a Return to Engagement as policy in US-Cuba relations.
Body
WHEREAS the City of Madison has enjoyed a sister city relationship with Camagüey, Cuba since 1994; and,
WHEREAS, nearly two thousand Wisconsinites have traveled to Cuba over these 25 years under the auspices of the Madison-Camagüey Sister City Association and its humanitarian partner, the Wisconsin Medical Project; and.
WHEREAS, many citizens of our City and State have developed lasting ties of friendship to our Island neighbors; and,
WHEREAS, the policies of engagement adopted by the Obama Administration in 2014 recognized Americans’ right to travel to Cuba in purposeful travel, and proved to be consequential and beneficial to both Cubans and Americans; and,
WHEREAS, the current Administration has rolled back many such policies, in effect taking away food from the table of Cuban families who depend on foreign visitors; and,
WHEREAS, the arbitrary restrictions on family remittances sent by Americans to families and friends in Cuba is significantly hurting their well-being and progress; and,
WHEREAS, the new tensions between our governments only encourage the enemies of the United States and could lead to more instability in the Region; and,
WHEREAS, a group of 50+ Madisonians is preparing to go to Camaguey in January 2020 for a Music and Cultural Exchange in Support for the Cuban People; and,
WHEREAS, the people of Madison have repeatedly supported such exchanges over the years,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison wish the delegation of Madisonians visiting our Sister City in January 2020 much success in their endeavors to maintain the links of friendship between our communities; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Madison urges the President of the United States and our Wisconsin Congressional Delegation to return to engagement and dialog with our Cuban neighbors, respecting the sovereignty of Cuba and ending the policy of Embargo and isolation that results in hardship to the Cuban people; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk send copies of this resolution to each Member of our Congressional Delegation and to the President of the United States.