Item P6
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
U.S. House of Representatives
2160 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
July 1, DRAFT I
Dear Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen,
We are writing to request your assistance in expediting a Cuba travel license request on behalf
ofMr. (first name?) Benvenuti. Mr. Benvenuti has submitted the proper license request forms to the
Office of ??? at the Department of Commerce for a planned boat trip to Cuba for humanitarian
purposes. However, recent changes in trade and travel regulations to Cuba have mired Mr.
Benvenuti's request in red tape and threaten to prevent his humanitarian trip to the island.
Congresswoman, Mr. Benvenuti has made fifteen humanitarian trips to Cuba, during which he
has delivered hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds of medical supplies, clothes, and other materials to
the truly needy in that country. He is a world-renowned photographer and has done much media work
in the Keys, and his humanitarian work is a true asset not only to the Keys but also to the entire
Southern Hemisphere. The Members of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County are
grateful for the work this man has done for our citizens and for the residents of Cuba, and we fully
support his request to make yet another humanitarian trip to Cuba.
Mr. Benvenuti submitted to the Office of?? at the Department of Commerce the required
application forms for Export Boat Licenses on (submission date?) (copy attached). The case has been
assigned a Correspondence Control Number of??, but all indications are that, without proactive
involvement from your office, a decision will not be made in time for Mr. Benvenuti's next trip,
scheduled for ??
The Members of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners would appreciate it
greatly if you would assist Mr. Benvenuti in pressing for an early response to his license application.
Should you require any additional information, Mr. Benvenuti can be reached directly at ???- ???- ????
Sincerely,
?~