releases: http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/nolan-lauds-renewed-diplomatic-relations-with-cuba-release-of-prisoner
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/nolan-lauds-renewed-diplomatic-relations-with-cuba-release-of-prisoner | Nolan Lauds Renewed Diplomatic Relations With Cuba, Release of Prisoner Alan Gross | 2014-12-17 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | (WASHINGTON, DC) – U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today lauded President Obama’s decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, along with the announcement that U.S. contractor Alan Gross has been freed by the Cuban government after three years in captivity. Nolan received the news earlier today in a call from the White House. Nolan, who as a Member of Congress traveled to Cuba in 1977 and personally negotiated the release of five U.S prisoners during an all night to early morning meeting with then President Fidel Castro, termed the decision to normalize relations with Cuba after 53 years of diplomatic estrangement “a monumental step forward for both nations, allowing us to resume exports and trade, create more good paying jobs in the United States and move forward in our relationships with the entire Western Hemisphere.” The five U.S. prisoners Nolan helped free after they had languished in a Cuban prison for 17 years were the last to be held as part of the ill fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961. Nolan noted that as a positive gesture in conjunction with his agreement with Castro, an exchange program was established between the University of Minnesota and Havana Schools of Agriculture. “At the time, my visit and the exchange program between the U of M and Havana Schools of Agriculture was looked upon in many circles as an important step toward reconciliation between our two nations. Yet when I met with President Castro in Havana, he predicted it would take another thirty years for our two nations to resume normal diplomatic relations. I thought him overly pessimistic at the time, but he proved to be correct. This is tremendous news for our two nations, separated by only ninety miles of water, and most especially for almost two million Americans of Cuban descent who have longed to see this happen,” Nolan continued. Nolan, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, pointed out that “Up until the trade embargo was instituted in 1961, Cuba was America’s fourth largest agricultural trading partner – so this is especially good news for farmers in Minnesota and around the nation, as well as for our manufacturing and high technology industries that will soon enjoy access to new markets in a nation that hungers for U.S. products and services.” Nolan said he hopes to travel to Cuba sometime next year to meet with Cuban officials and discuss trade opportunities with top officials in Havana. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |