FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 6, 2004
FOR MORE INFORMATION: (305) 592-7768
CANF
EXPRESSES SORROW AT
THE
PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN
It is with great sorrow the Board of Directors of the Cuban American National Foundation express its condolences to Mrs. Nancy Reagan on the passing of former President Ronald Wilson Reagan. Our hearts and prayers are with Mrs. Reagan and the entire Reagan family during this very difficult time.
The world will remember President Reagan as the leader whose strength and tenacity led to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, as a man whose compassion and morality inspired our nation to greater heights and whose wit and wisdom captured our hearts and minds.
For the Cuban American National Foundation, President Reagan was not only the admired leader of our nation, but a friend and a tireless defender of Cuban freedom.
We had the honor of hosting President Reagan at various events, one of the most notable when he spoke at a celebration of Cuban Independence Day on May 20th, 1983. Addressing the thousands that had gathered to hear him speak, President Reagan said: “Cuban Americans understand perhaps better than many of their fellow citizens that freedom is not just the heritage of the people of the United States. It is the birthright of the people of the hemisphere.”
“He understood, like few do, the important responsibility that rests upon those of us fortunate enough to live in freedom to shine a light upon repression and tyranny wherever it may be found, to be a beacon of hope and inspiration to those who do not yet breathe free,” said Jorge Mas Santos, Chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation.
President Reagan worked closely with the men and women of the Cuban American National Foundation to take the Cuba issue to the international stage, bringing attention to the regime’s egregious human and civil rights violations and its contempt of international norms. It was through this close working relationship that we succeeded in uncovering, for the world, the true nature of Cuba’s ruthless regime.
“History will record President Reagan’s contribution to the higher ideals of liberty and democracy, and we will never forget his efforts to see Cuba set free, nor the bonds of friendship and mutual respect that existed between us. It is a sad day for our community who has lost a dear friend and ally in our cause,” concluded Mas Santos.
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