Yahoo! News
December 7, 2001
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. 6 (AP) - Citing the Elian Gonzalez case, Cuban-American
members of the Florida House walked out of the chamber Thursday after former
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno was introduced as a visitor.
Reno, a Democratic candidate for governor, was watching from the visitors
gallery as lawmakers worked in special session to cut the state budget.
It was not immediately clear how many Cuban-American lawmakers, all
Republicans, left the chamber. Three Republicans who are not Cuban-Americans
also walked out.
"We decided that we had to demonstrate ... that we did not welcome Ms.
Reno to the House of Representatives considering the manner in which she treated
Elian Gonzalez,'' said Rep. Carlos Lacasa of Miami.
Elian was rescued in November 1999 off the Florida coast after his mother
and most of the passengers traveling illegally from Cuba to the United States
died when their boat capsized. He was taken in by relatives in Miami but his
father in Cuba pressed for his return.
Under Reno's leadership, the Justice Department ordered Border Patrol
agents to raid the relatives' home in April 2000 and take the boy from his Miami
relatives. Elian eventually was reunited with his father and returned to Cuba.
"I know they feel very strongly, but I made a decision based on what
was right for a little boy and his daddy,'' Reno said after leaving the chamber.
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