U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL14) has been asked by President Barack Obama to join him and First Lady Michelle Obama on his historic trip to Cuba, scheduled for March 20-23. President Obama will become the first sitting U.S. president in almost 90 years to visit the island, located less than 90 miles of the coast of Florida.

“This monumental and historic step is needed to help turn the page on a failed policy of isolation and move forward with greater engagement and normalizing relations with Cuba,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “President Obama and the congressional delegation’s visit will encourage further economic and human rights changes on the island.”

U.S. Rep. Castor’s congressional district includes the Tampa Bay Rays, which will play the Cuban national team for an exhibition game March 22, scheduled to coincide with President Obama’s visit to the island.

“This is a wonderful goodwill gesture between the United States and Cuba.  Everyone who has a passion for baseball and a passion for positive change are looking forward to it,” U.S. Rep. Castor added.

For years, Tampa Bay has been at the forefront of greater engagement with Cuba. U.S. Rep. Castor wrote to then President-Elect Obama about travel to Cuba, calling for him to lift the restrictions that limit Cuban-Americans traveling to the island nation. She also advocated for increasing travel through broadening general licenses and successfully pushed the Administration to designate Tampa International Airport as an entry/exit point for charter flights to the island nation. Multiple weekly charter flights now connect directly to Havana, Cuba, and have been a boost to Tampa Bay’s economy. TIA is now very well-positioned to expand its air service to Cuba with new commercial flights that will soon begin. U.S. Rep. Castor has been in constant contact with the Administration to convey Tampa Bay’s loud and clear message about the importance of these flights to the region’s families and the economy.

U.S. Rep. Castor visited Cuba in 2013 and again last month, returning more committed than ever to pass the bipartisan Cuba Trade Act in Congress to lift the embargo. U.S. Reps. Castor and Tom Emmer (R-MN06) intend to continue to build the coalition necessary to pass this bill that will lift the embargo.

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