Bill Text: NJ AR23 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress to enact H.R.188, "Cuba Reconciliation Act."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee [AR23 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR23-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to enact H.R.188, "Cuba Reconciliation Act."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Congress to enact H.R.188, the "Cuba Reconciliation Act."
Whereas, The "Cuba Reconciliation Act," H.R.188, seeks to lift the trade embargo with Cuba and to normalize United States relations with that country in other areas; and
Whereas, H.R.188 not only repeals the authority for the embargo, but also removes the prohibitions against United States exports to Cuba; eliminates barriers to the installation, maintenance, and repair of telecommunications infrastructure on the island, and the provision of telecommunications services, by United States companies; authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to take the actions necessary to provide direct mail services to and from Cuba; and removes the restrictions on travel to and from Cuba by citizens or residents of the United States; and
Whereas, While H.R.188 removes the restrictions against United States exports to Cuba, it also authorizes the President to impose export controls and to take other measures in the best interest of the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States; and
Whereas, The enactment by Congress of H.R.188 would significantly benefit the economy of the United States and of the State of New Jersey in many ways, as American businesses would expand their market for various exports; invest in telecommunications infrastructure and offer such services in Cuba; participate in the continued development of the tourism industry on the island; benefit from increased air travel to Cuba by United States citizens and residents; and reap many other economic and financial benefits; and
Whereas, In fact, many countries currently maintain economic and other relations with Cuba, with countries like Canada and Spain maintaining significant and successful economic ties; and
Whereas, The United States already exports agricultural products to Cuba, with exports to that country by American companies from various states amounting to approximately $700 million in 2008; and
Whereas, Cuba is our neighbor to the south, located about 90 miles from the coast of Florida, and should naturally become in the twenty-first century a country with which to partner in many important areas; and
Whereas, The United States, and the State of New Jersey, are in a perfect position to benefit from the normalization of relations with Cuba, and the availability of Cuba as a new trading and economic partner would yield significant benefits to both countries and to our State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly hereby respectfully urges the United States Congress to enact H.R.188, the "Cuba Reconciliation Act," in order to end the trade embargo and normalize United States relations with Cuba.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed be the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Congress to enact H.R.188, the "Cuba Reconciliation Act," in order to end the trade embargo and normalize United States relations with Cuba.
The "Cuba Reconciliation Act," H.R.188, would not only repeal the authority for the embargo, but also remove the prohibitions against United States exports to Cuba; eliminate barriers to the installation, maintenance, and repair of telecommunications infrastructure on the island, and to the provision of telecommunications services, by United States companies; authorize the U.S. Postal Service to take the actions necessary to provide direct mail services to and from Cuba; and remove the restrictions on travel to and from Cuba by citizens or residents of the United States.
The United States, and the State of New Jersey, are in a perfect position to benefit from the normalization of relations with Cuba, and the availability of Cuba as a new trading and economic partner in the twenty-first century would yield significant benefits to both countries and to our State.
