Pittsburgh lawmaker heads delegation to Matanzas
Representative Michael (Mike) F. Doyle (D-Pa.) is the latest U.S. legislator to visit Cuba, where he plans “to explore possible partnerships that would be of benefit to southwestern Pennsylvania,” as he wrote in his Congressional website.
Doyle represents the 14th Congressional District, which includes the city of Pittsburgh. He and his group arrived in Havana on Thursday (Nov. 12) and left immediately for Matanzas, which has been Pittsburgh’s sister city since 2001.
On Saturday (Nov. 14), he told the Cuban news agency ACN that he and his 20-member delegation are looking for “possible academic, economic and sports associations.” He spoke at the Matanzas offices of the Provincial Assembly of the People’s Power.
His host, Mario Sabine, vice president of the provincial Assembly, said that Matanzas was ready to work toward the normalization of relations between Cuba and the U.S., and described to Doyle the province’s potential for development.
Their talks dealt with the possibilities of charter flights between Pittsburgh and Cuba, academic connections between the universities of Matanzas and Havana with schools in Pennsylvania, and exchanges involving the preservation of natural resources.
[For background on Doyle’s district, click here.]
The American delegation, which included specialists on energy, transport, industry, education and sports, then proceeded to tour sites of historic interest in Matanzas.
“The changing relationship between the United States and Cuba could open up significant economic opportunities for our region,” wrote Doyle in his website before leaving for Cuba.
“The Pittsburgh delegation has meetings scheduled with Cuban government, education, and business leaders in which we hope to explore opportunities for investment in sectors like energy innovation, telecommunications, agriculture, and sports, as well as to lay the groundwork for student exchanges and increased travel opportunities between Pittsburgh and Cuba.”
Doyle, 62, is currently serving his 11th term in Congress.
[“A lot of challenges, but a lot of potential,” Doyle said of Cuba, after returning to Pittsburgh. “There’s tons of opportunity on the energy side and the telecommunications side.” For comments from Doyle and other members of the delegation, click here.]
