PATERSON – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today made the following statement in response to the resignation of Fidel Castro:

“Fidel Castro’s resignation holds the potential for Cuba to move out from the shadow of an oppressive regime and towards a new era of change, opportunity and democracy.  It will be incumbent upon Cuba’s next leader to act in the best interest of the Cuban people instead of the broken ideology of a failed successor.”

“I will work in Congress to apply whatever assistance or pressure is necessary to break decades of Communist rule and negotiate a new beginning for our Cuban neighbors.”

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