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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In 2015, President Barack Obama restored U.S.
3diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba and issued
4regulatory changes that allowed increased commercial relations
5and a move towards normalization of travel to Cuba for American
6citizens; these changes were widely supported by businesses in
7Illinois and the United States; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The administration of President Donald Trump has
9imposed new restrictions on American travel, remittances,
10intellectual exchanges, and trade with Cuba, reversing the
11Obama administration's normalization of relations with Cuba;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Under the new Trump rules, a number of visits by
14individuals to Cuba will no longer be allowed; citizens from
15the United States will no longer be able to travel to Cuba
16under the popular people-to-people license once recognized by
17the U.S. Department of Treasury; as articulated by a number of
18Illinois and U.S. organizations, these actions are a tragic
19blow for U.S. citizens' freedom to travel; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Along with cruise ships, the United States has
21also banned private planes and boats from traveling to Cuba
22from the U.S.; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The Trump rules "are intended to steer economic
2activities away from the Cuban military, intelligence and
3security services" and "encourage the government to move toward
4greater economic freedom for the Cuban people"; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The people of Cuba are now suffering economically,
6even more than before, due to the change in U.S. policy; Cuba
7is a different country than it was in 1959, and the Cuban
8people deserve the opportunity for open trade with other
9countries; normalizing the relationship between the United
10States and Cuba could help the infant small private businesses
11in Cuba and provide opportunities for the citizens and
12businesses of Illinois; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Illinois has shown two decades of bi-partisan
14effort in encouraging U.S. normalization with Cuba for the
15benefit and enrichment of the people of Cuba and Illinois,
16which includes commerce and mutual cultural understanding;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we urge President Trump to return to normalizing the
21relationship between the United States and Cuba; and be it
22further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That we urge Governor Pritzker to lead a
2delegation to visit Cuba in support of the Cuban people as soon
3as possible; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
5delivered to President Donald Trump and Governor JB Pritzker.