2008 Woodie Awards
Cuba Mission put on hold indefinately
Dan Socha
Issue date: 12/7/04 Section: News Stories
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This past July, the Pastors for Peace, an American inter-religious volunteer group, traveled to Cuba to deliver over 100 tons of humanitarian aid. The volunteers, disobeying American trade and visitation laws, delivered supplies ranging from food, medicine, and clothing to computers and bicycles. Some Americans felt that the work of the Pastors for Peace was misguided, arguing that the best method of helping Cubans in need is to politically reform the government and abolish the dictatorship of Fidel Castro. In other words, the humanitarian problems are a "symptom" of the communist government of Cuba, and as long as communism continues to exist in Cuba, so too will the humanitarian problems. President Bush and his current administration have taken this stance, and students here at Assumption are now feeling the effects.
For the past three years the Campus Ministry has sent three student groups on the Cuba mission trip.
"It was amazing. They were so welcoming," said Senior Elizabeth McGovern who went on the mission trip last year.
This year however, Assumption was unable to obtain the license that permits student groups to travel to Cuba.
Until this past year, college groups were allowed to travel to Cuba using an academic license. This past June, President Bush was responsible for passing new laws that restricted travel to Cuba, limiting the use of an academic license.
"The new rules require a 10-week minimum stay for undergraduates. So, currently travel to Cuba is out of reach for us," said John Fleming, Director of Missions and Chapel Ministries.
Mark Bilotta, Executive Assistant to the President who is responsible for obtaining the academic travel license, is upset with the recent changes in legislation.
"The Cuba mission had been a wonderful addition to our mission programs and was supported by all of us here at Assumption," said Bilotta. "Unfortunately, President Bush has different ideas."
The new laws are part of President Bush's aggressive attitude towards American adversaries. In May of 2002 John R. Bolten, the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security spoke on the matter.
For the past three years the Campus Ministry has sent three student groups on the Cuba mission trip.
"It was amazing. They were so welcoming," said Senior Elizabeth McGovern who went on the mission trip last year.
This year however, Assumption was unable to obtain the license that permits student groups to travel to Cuba.
Until this past year, college groups were allowed to travel to Cuba using an academic license. This past June, President Bush was responsible for passing new laws that restricted travel to Cuba, limiting the use of an academic license.
"The new rules require a 10-week minimum stay for undergraduates. So, currently travel to Cuba is out of reach for us," said John Fleming, Director of Missions and Chapel Ministries.
Mark Bilotta, Executive Assistant to the President who is responsible for obtaining the academic travel license, is upset with the recent changes in legislation.
"The Cuba mission had been a wonderful addition to our mission programs and was supported by all of us here at Assumption," said Bilotta. "Unfortunately, President Bush has different ideas."
The new laws are part of President Bush's aggressive attitude towards American adversaries. In May of 2002 John R. Bolten, the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security spoke on the matter.