Kosecki, jezz will conference washington, d. C. , the Nations Capital. The chaplain let us pray. In the book of proverbs chapter 10, we are taught, he who gathers in summer is a sun who acts wisely this wise pursuit to the wisdom of solomon has built our nation. Of this season, the africanamerican poet from dayton ohio, Paul Lawrence dunbar writes, oh summer has clothed the earth in a cloak from the loom of the sun. And a mantle, too, of the skys soft blue and the belt where the river run. Oh ye who toil in town and ye who moil in the mart, hear the artless song and your faith made strong shall renew your joy of heart. The fruits of the earth from the bounty of our land are all your gift and we praise you this day o god, for all who labor for our sustenance and those who govern our nation. Amen. The speaker pro tempore the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. I will now lead our pledge to the United States of america. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The chair lays before the house a point of communication. The clerk the honorable the speaker house of representatives sir. Pursuant to the permission granted in clause h of rule 2 of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on july 17, 2015, at 1 46 p. M. That the Senate Passed senate 192. That the Senate Passed senate 139. With best wishes, i am, signed sincerely, karen l. Haase. Haas. The speaker pro tempore without objection the house is back at noon for speeches and let us lead of business at 2 00 right here on cspan. Lets get back to the state department, still waiting for secretary kerry and the Cuban Foreign minister to come out. They were scheduled to get started about 1 45, we expect the momentarily. It looks like everyone in their seats, live coverage here on cspan and of course, any of the cuban coverage we have come at you can always find on cspan. Org. Apparently, just a couple of minutes away from secretary of state john kerry and the Cuban Foreign minister, Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez parilla coming before the the state department. Their joint News Conference marking the day that formal diplomatic relations are reestablished with the flag raising at the Cuban Embassy and you may have seen the video we had of that, of the flag being placed among the other flags at the hole in the state department, the hall of nations where all the countries with which the u. S. Has diplomatic relations are represented by a flag. The flag of cuba in place there in the u. S. State department overnight it now takes its place alongside the other flags. We expect this to get underway momentarily and we will bring you live coverage of the entire event here on cspan. As we wait for secretary kerry in the Cuban Foreign minister, lets show you real quick what it looked like outside the Cuban Embassy on 16th street in northwest washington dc this morning about 10 30 this morning, a lot of folks gathered in the cuban flag was raised in front of their embassy. [cheers] [applause] [indiscernible] [chanting in spanish] [cheers] [applause] [singing in spanish] [cheers] [chanting in spanish] secretary kerry in the Cuban Foreign minister running about a halfhour later this point. Which is not necessarily unusual as state Department Events go. We are planning on live coverage, we will stay right here the state department waiting for Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez parilla and secretary john kerry doubledigit to hold a joint News Conference. As we wait for the Cuban Foreign minister this afternoon less show you as much as we can of what we had to say this morning after the raising of the cuban flag at the Cuban Embassy. [applause] mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] her excellency, mrs. Roberta jamieson, assistant secretary of a, officials of the u. S. Government the company her. Honorable members of congress, esteemed members of the u. S. Movement and institutions who have made huge efforts in favor of the change in the u. S. Cuba policy, and the improvement of bilateral relations. Esteemed representatives of the organizations and movements of the community and immigration. Conference of the cuban delegation. Officials and workers of the human embassy. Esteemed friends. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] translator the flag and we were very the engines of this room is the same that we have had been kept in florida under the company of a family of liberators, and has kept ever since then in the eastern city and is stored premonition that this day would certainly come, flying once again in this place is the flag that speaks of sacrifices made for more than 100 years by people for their National Independence and full determination. Facing the most fierce challenges and risk. Today we pay homage to all those who died, and who renew the commitment of the present generation, who served with honor. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] [applause] [speaking in spanish] translator we invoke the memory of him who was fully devoted to the struggle of cuba and is able to give us knowledge of the United States. In his work, he made a vivid description of a great nation to the north and extolled its virtues. He also bequeathed to us the warning against its extended craving for domination confirmed by a long history of his agreements. We have been able to make it to this day through the leader of the cuban revolution, who we revere with all loyalty. In april of 1959, with the purpose of promoting clear unilateral negotiations. Purposes that brought him to this country are the same that have been pursued throughout these decades and coincide exactly with the ones we pursue today. Many in this room, politicians, journalists, upstanding personalities in the field of art or science, the students that are American Social activists have been able to treasure unlimited hours of enriching talks with the commanders with a better understanding of the recent goals and decisions. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez parilla this translator this has been made possible through the Historic Works of our people and the strength of a cuban nation and its culture. Several generations of the revolutionary equality have conversed in this effort and offer their martyrs. The example in fiber and speech of the chancellor of dignity have continued to inspire Cuban Foreign policy and we remain forever in the memory of the Younger Generation and future diplomats. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] translator i bring greetings from president fidel castro as a notion to move forward. Given the difference is that extend between both govern governments, which makes it possible to solve bilateral problems and for those corporations in the development mutually beneficial Relations Just as both peoples desire and deserve. We know this would contribute to peace, development, equity, and stability in the continent. The and limitation of the purposes and principles enshrined in the u. N. Charter and the proclamation of latin america and the caribbean, which was signed at the second summit of the community of latin american and caribbean estates held in havana. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] translator today, the reestablishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of embassies complete the first stage of the bilateral compromise and pave the way for the long process of bilateral negotiations. There never been normal relations between the United States and cuba, in spite of the 1. 5 century link that has existed between both people. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] translator the amendment in 1902 under a military Occupation Forces the liberation experts efforts of quite a few american citizens [indiscernible] in 1959, the United States refuse to accept the existence of a fully independent small and neighboring island, and a few years later, a socialist revolution that was forsters forced to defend itself. Mr. Parilla [speaking in spanish] translator i have referred to history to reaffirm that today an opportunity has opened up to begin working in order to establish new bilateral relations quite different from what has been in the past. The cuban government is fully committed to that. The economic, commercial and financial blockade which has caused so much suffering to our people, the return of the occupied territory of guantanamo and sovereignty will land will lend some meaning to the historic event we are witnessing today. Every step forward will see the favorable acceptance of our people in government and the approval of latin america and the caribbean and the entire world. Mr. Parilla [speaking spanish] translator we reaffirm cuba possible willingness to move toward normalization with the United States to proceed in a Constructive Partnership without any interference that falls under the exclusive sovereignty of cuba to insist in the attainment of goals only hoping for a change in the methods will not favor the National Interest of the United States or its citizens. However, should that be the case, we would be ready to face the challenge. We will engage as written by roll castro in his letter to president obama, encouraged by the developing of intentions between our peoples and government. Mr. Parilla [speaking spanish] [applause] [speaking spanish] translator we will continue to work hard to promote cultural, economic scientific relations as well as friendly ties between our people. We would like to convey the cuban governments respect to the president of the United States were urging u. S. Congress to lift the blockade and the change of policy he has announced, particularly for the disposition he has showed to make use of his executive powers for that purpose. We are reminded of president carters decision to open the respective intersections of september, 1977. I express my gratitude for having extended the cuban interests for the last 24 years. Mr. Parilla [speaking spanish] translator on behalf of the government of the people of cuba, i would like to extend my gratitude to the members of congress, religious leaders Business People and so many u. S. Citizens who worked so hard for so many years so that these days would come. For the majority of cubans residing in the United States will have a hope for a different kind of relationship, we would like to express our gratitude. They will remain faithful to supporting the ideas of independence. Mr. Parilla [speaking spanish] translator we would like to express our gratitude toward our latin american and caribbean brothers and sisters who have supported our country and called for a new chapter in the relations between the United States and cuba as was done with extraordinary perseverance from a lot of friends around the world. I reiterate our gratitude to the Diplomatic Court and the u. N. General assembly that made a decided contribution. Mr. Parilla [speaking spanish] [applause] translator all [indiscernible] his ideas which were vindicated continue to be the free relations that move us along the half our people have chosen. Thank you very much. [applause] mr. Kerry good afternoon everybody. I am pleased to welcome to the state department my colleague, bruno rodriguez, the foreign minister of cuba. I apologize for our being a little late, but we were downstairs. We had a lot to talk about, not just u. S. Cuba relations, and i think we had a very constructive conversation. This is the first visit to the department by a Cuban Foreign minister since 1958. Today marks as well the resumption of normal diplomatic ties between our countries and the reopening of our embassies after a rupture that has lasted 54 years. So it is an historic day, a day for removing barriers. [speaking spanish] of course, this milestone does not signify an end to differences that still separate eight still separate our governments. It does reflect the reality that the cold war ended long ago and in the interest of both countries are better served by engagement than estrangement and that we have begun a process of full normalization that is sure to take time but will also benefit the people in both cuba and the United States. This shared resolve to look ahead is what drove our conversation today and what has brought us to this moment. The foreign minister and i touched on a wide range of issues of mutual concern including cooperation on lawn forstmann, counter narcotics telecommunications, the internet, environmental issues, human rights, and we also discussed the openings of our embassies. We want to make sure those embassies are able to function fully and im confident diplomats from both countries will have the freedom to travel and converse with systems of all walks of life. I am encouraged we have a first rate embassy team in cuba led by jeff deller and this, one of our finest and most experienced Public Servants, and i and and i congratulate on foreign minister rodriguez on the opening of the embassy here in washington. I look forward to making my first trip as secretary of state to cuba and holding a comparable ceremony at our embassy in havana. Before closing, i want to thank our colleagues from switzerland for the vital role they have played as the protecting power for what has obviously proven to be a much longer time than originally anticipated. I think our friends around the hemisphere who have urged us, in some cases for decades, to restore our diplomatic ties and have warmly welcomed our decision to do so. And i am grateful for the outstanding leadership of Roberta Jacobson and the efforts of the many u. S. And cuban representatives whose hard work made this day possible. I want to knowledge the commitment of all the care about u. S. Cuba relations whether they disagree whether they agree with the decision to normalize or not, changes rarely easy, especially when earlier positions have been so deeply ingrained and so profoundly felt. Although we can and must learn from the past, nothing is more futile than trying to live in the past. President obama believes and so do i that our citizens benefit far more from policies that aim to shape a better future. There is, after all, nothing to be lost and much to be gained by encouraging travel between our nations, the free flow of information and ideas, the resumption of commerce, and the removal of obstacles that have made it harder for families to visit their loved ones. Make no mistake in the process of fully normalizing relations between the United States and cuba will go on. It may be long and complex. But, along the way, we are sure to encounter a bump here and there, and moments even of frustration. Patients will be required. But that is all the more reason to get started now on this journey, this long, overdue journey. Today, with the opening of our embassies in the visiting of the foreign minister, we are taking an historic and longoverdue overdue step in the right direction. To keep moving forward, both governments must proceed in a spirit of openness and each will respect. I can assure the world including people of cuba, that the United States will do its part. [speaking spanish] and now it is my pleasure to yield the floor to our guest bruno rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez good afternoon. Sorry for being late. We just had a respectful meeting with secretary john kerry, with the secretary of state we had an exchange on the issue discussed between president raul castro and barack obama during their historic juncker encounter in panama. The current status of the bilateral relations and the progress achieved since the announcement of december 17 2014, including cubas removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the expansion of official exchanges on issues of common interests and the establishment of diplomatic relations and reopening of embassies. I conveyed the recognition of our people and government to president obama for his determination to work for the lifting and urging congress to eliminate and his willingness to adopt executive measures that modify the implementation of some aspects of some of these policies. The scope is Still Limited but it is headed in the right direction. We have emphasized in the meantime that the president of the United States can continue using his executive powers to pay a significant contribution to the dismantling and not to pursue changes in cuba, something that falls under our exclusive sovereignty and attends to the interest of u. S. Citizens. I emphasize that totally lifting , the return of the legally occupied territory of guantanamo and the full respect of cuban sovereignty and the compensation to our people for human and economic damages are crucial to be able to move forward in the normalization of relations. We both ratified our interest in normalizing relations knowing that this would be a long and complex process which will require the willingness of both countries. There are profound differences between cuba and the United States with regard to our views about the exerci