DETROIT — The Detroit Caucus welcomed the Cuban Delegation in Lansing yesterday to discuss building cooperative relations with Cuba in trade, education, health care, agriculture and the arts. State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit), chair of the Detroit Caucus, led the group in welcoming Cuban Diplomat Yanet Pumariega Perez.
“Our state and communities are made stronger by building cooperative relationships with our neighbors,” said Gay-Dagnogo. “By bringing the Cuban Delegation to the table and making it clear that we are supportive of efforts to exchange ideas and commerce with their country, we go a long way in establishing a productive relationship.”
Michigan is actively working to encourage an ongoing cooperative relationship between Cuba and the United States, as noted in Senate Resolution 70 of the 99th Legislature and a 2019 Detroit City Council Resolution.
“The purpose of my visit and meetings is to discuss about the potentialities of improving relations between our countries and to find opportunities of cooperation where is mutually beneficial in areas such as health, education, agriculture and trade,” said Diplomat Pumariega Perez.
Also attending the welcome reception were state Reps. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), Tenisha Yancey (D-Detroit), LaTanya Garrett (D-Detroit), Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint), Ronnie Peterson (D-Ypsilanti), Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), Jewell Jones (D-Inkster), and Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor).
“It was a great opportunity to learn about their medical, agricultural and educational programs,” said Garrett. “Our caucus is looking forward to learning ways to partner.”
A number of Detroit Caucus members plan to join Diplomat Pumariega Perez in Washington D.C. for the Congressional Black Caucus and in Cuba during the 2019-2020 legislative session.
“We look forward to creating educational opportunities for our constituents as we improve our relations with Cuba,” said Carter. “Reducing infant mortality is an issue that deserves all the resources available.”
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