Center for Democracy in the Americas

The Center for Democracy in the Americas

Personnel

As of August 27, 2010, the following worked for the organization:

Board of Directors

• Curtis Schaeffer, Board President, Famine Early Warning Systems Network
• Tracy Sturdivant, Board Secretary, Center for Progressive Leadership
• Deborah Barry, Board Treasurer, Center for International Forestry Research and Rights and Resources Initiative
• Dr. Dan Hellinger, Webster University
• Francesca Jessup, Polity Working Group, El Salvador
• Sgt. Carlos Lazo, Cuban American Commission for Family Rights
• Christopher Oechsli, Institute for Policy Studies
• Robert Van Heuvelen, VH Strategies

Advisory Board

• Dr. Philip Brenner, School of International Service, American University
• Dr. Margaret Crahan, The Institute of Latin American Studies, Columbia University
• David Dreyer, TSD, Inc
• Robert Kerrigan, Kerrigan, Estes, McLeod & Rankin
• Conrad Martin, Fund for Constitutional Government
• Wynn Segall, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
• Dr. Julia Sweig, Council on Foreign Relations

Staff

• Sarah Stephens
• Kendra Seymour
• Patricio Zamorano
• Collin Laverty
• David E. Dreyer
• Linda Garrett
• Anna Schickele

Sponsoring Congressional Trips to Cuba

1. From June 30 to July 3 2007, Representative for the 7th District of Washington, Jim McDermott traveled with staffer Sean Hughes in Havana, Cuba on a "fact-finding trip. The cost of the trip, $3,603.60 was paid by the Center for Democracy in the Americas.

1. From May 27 to June 1 2007, Communist Party USA connected Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 3rd district of Connecticut, Rosa DeLauro travelled in Havana, Cuba, with the purpose: "to examine the transition that is occurring in Cuba and the impact of that transition on U.S. policy, as well as to examine agriculture and trade with the island." The cost of the trip, $1,906.50 was paid by the Center for Democracy in the Americas. Her trip was approved by Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Chairwoman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Also invited on the trip were: Marion Berry, Bob Etheridge, Rodney Alexander, Collin Peterson, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Jack Kingston, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Ray LaHood and Zach Wamp.

Chart of Trips Sponsored

Sponsored trips:

Name	Approved by	Date	Cost	Purpose
Rep. Marion Berry	Rep. Marion Berry	05/27/07-06/01/07	$1,906.50	"This trip will partially focus on agriculture and trade with Cuba. This trip will also examine the political transition ocurring on the island and the impact of U.S. policy."
Rep. Rosa DeLauro	Rep. Rosa DeLauro	05/27/07-06/01/07	$1,906.50	"The purpose of the delegation was to examine the transition that is occurring in Cuba and the impact of that transition on U.S. policy, as well as to examine agriculture and trade with the island."
Rep. Bob Etheridge	Rep. Bob Etheridge	05/27/07-06/01/07	$1,906.50	"The trip will focus on the transition ocurring in Cuba and the impact on U.S. policy, as well as agriculture and trade with the island."
Rep. Rodney Alexander	Rep. Rodney Alexander	05/26/07-06/01/07	$1,906.00	"To examine the transition that is occuring in Cuba and the impact of that transition on U.S. policy, as well as to examine agriculture and trade in Cuba."
Rep. Jim Cooper	Rep. Jim Cooper	03/15/07-03/19/07	$1,775.00	"Visited sites of historical, social and economic importance and met with government and cultural leaders."
George A. Sullivan	Rep. Jose Enrique Serrano	03/15/07-03/19/07	$1,825.00	"To examine U.S. policy toward Cuba, the impact of the American trade embargo and the economy of Cuba."
Paul S. Block	Sen. Herb Kohl	07/17/09-07/20/09	$1,681.70	"Attended site visits to evaluate ways of improving U.S.-Cuban relations"
Jacqueline Dailey Cottrell	Sen. Pat Roberts	07/17/09-07/20/09	$1,681.70	"Attended fact-finding mission to learn more about Cuba as well as the potential impact of easing travel restrictions to Cuba"
Christopher Lynch Watson	Sen. Ben Cardin	07/17/09-07/20/09	$1,681.70	"Fact-finding trip"
Thomas Allen Hawks	Sen. Thad Cochran	07/17/09-07/20/09	$1,681.70	"Fact-finding trip for congressional staff to gain a better understanding of Cuba to evaluate U.S. foreign policy"
David S. Ramseur	Sen. Mark Begich	07/17/09-07/20/09	$1,681.70	"As chief of staff, traveler advises Sen. Begich on foreign policy issues, including policy on Cuba"
Amanda A. Renteria	Sen. Debbie Stabenow	07/17/09-07/20/09	$1,681.70	"Attended fact-finding mission to learn more about Cuba's leadership transition and ongoing program of reforms in Cuban government"
Marc B. Hanson	Rep. Sam Farr	06/28/08-07/02/08	$1,668.00	"To meet with academics, journalists, embassy officials, religious leaders and government officials to discuss human rights, the effect of U.S. policy on Cuba and U.S-Cuba relations"
Harry Jay Hulings	Rep. Jane Lakes Harman	06/28/08-07/02/08	$1,668.00	"To attend educational meetings and events focused on better understanding Cuba and U.S. policy toward Cuba"
William A. Tranghese	Rep. Richard Neal	06/28/08-07/02/08	$1,910.00	"Traveler attended educational meetings focused on better understanding Cuba and U.S. policy toward Cuba."
Andrew McCanse Wright	Rep. Henry Waxman	06/28/08-07/02/08	$1,668.00	"Fact finding mission to Cuba"
Myron H. W. Yuen	Sen. Daniel Inouye	06/28/08-07/02/08	$1,468.00	"To participate in a fact-finding mission to address issues about Cuba and U.S. policy toward Cuba"
Rep. Jim McDermott	Rep. Jim McDermott	11/09/07-11/13/07	$1,903.80	"To participate in a fact-finding mission to Cuba"
Sean Hughes	Rep. Jim McDermott	11/08/07-11/13/07	$1,699.80	"To meet with government officials and journalists to discuss the Cuban health system and the effects of the embargo"
Rep. Yvette Clarke	Rep. Yvette Clarke	10/05/07-10/09/07	$1,620.00	"To gain extensive knowledge of the impact of U.S. policy toward Cuba and of the Cuban health care system"
Sarah Higdon Drake	Rep. Roger Wicker	07/06/07-07/10/07	$1,573.25	"We examined the current reality in Venezuela and the impact of that reality on U.S. policy. We also examined the role that oil plays both in Venezuela and in foreign relations."
Scott C. Graves	Rep. Michael Conaway	07/06/07-07/10/07	$2,458.50	"Met with foreign investors in Venezuela and examined Venenzuelan and American policy and how it was affecting foreign investment in Venezuela with specific regard to the energy and oil sectors"
Greta Hanson Joynes	Rep. John Shimkus	07/06/07-07/10/07	$1,720.00	"To examine U.S. policy toward Venezuela and to better understand how government policies are affecting foreign investment in the energy sector "
Saul Z. Hernandez	Rep. George Kenneth Butterfield	07/06/07-07/10/07	$1,573.25	"Examined the current reality in Venezuela and the impact of that reality on U.S. policy. Also examined the role that oil plays both in Venezuela and in foreign relations. "
Sophie Atlee King	Rep. Gregory Meeks	07/06/07-07/10/07	$1,606.25	"To examine U.S. policy toward Venezuela and to better understand how government policies are affecting foreign investment in the energy sector"
Rep. Jack Kingston	Rep. Jack Kingston	05/28/07-05/30/07	$2,043.90	"The purpose of the delegation was to examine the transition that is occurring in Cuba and the impact of that transition in U.S. policy, as well as to examine agriculture and trade with the island."
Jacqueline Dailey Cottrell	Sen. Pat Roberts	08/17/09-08/20/09	$1,681.70	"Attended a fact-finding mission to Cuba to learn about the impact of U.S. policy toward Cuba"
Brian R. Ahlberg	Sen. Tom Harkin	08/17/09-08/20/09	$1,681.70	"Attended tours and meetings to learn about the impact of U.S. policy toward Cuba"
Stephanie V. Williamson	Rep. Howard Berman	09/18/09-09/21/09	$1,898.64	"To meet with Venezuelan leaders on the current political and economic atmosphere in Venezuela to obtain recommendations for U.S. policies"
Eric A. Jacobstein	Rep. Howard Berman	09/18/09-09/21/09	$2,498.61	"To meet with government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives to learn about Venezuela's political and economic situation"
Diane M. DiSanto	Sen. Mark Begich	09/18/09-09/21/09	$810.71	"To attend meetings and events to understand the importance of U.S. policies toward Venezuela "
Emily L. Brunini	Sen. Thad Cochran	09/18/09-09/21/09	$810.71	"Attended meetings related to energy issues"
Henry Truong	Rep. Xavier Becerra	02/17/10-02/20/10	$2,219.70	"A fact-finding trip in Venzuela and other Latin American countries with the mission of fostering dialogue and improving U.S. policy and bilateral relations"
Michael Shank	Rep. Mike Honda	02/17/10-02/20/10	$2,219.70	"Fact-finding trip to Venezuela with the mission of fostering dialogue and improving U.S. policy and bilateral relations"
Adam Arguelles	Rep. Jim Clyburn	02/17/10-02/20/10	$2,219.70	"Fact-finding trip to Venezuela with the mission of fostering dialogue and improving U.S. policy and bilateral relations"
Katherine E. Winkler	Rep. Joseph Crowley	03/28/10-04/01/10	$2,127.40	"Fact-finding mission to understand the importance and culture of U.S. policy toward Cuba"
Aaron M. Popelka	Rep. Jerry Moran	03/28/10-04/01/10	$2,127.40	"Fact-finding mission to understand the importance and culture of U.S. policy toward Cuba"
Maura L. Keefe	Sen. Jeanne Shaheen	03/28/10-04/01/10	$2,127.40	"Fact-finding mission to understand the importance and culture of U.S. policy toward Cuba"
David Francis Grimaldi Jr.	Rep. Jim Clyburn	02/17/10-02/20/10	$2,127.40	"Fact-finding mission to understand the importance and culture of U.S. policy toward Cuba"
Alfred Dreyfus Samuelson	Rep. Tim Johnson	07/08/10-07/12/10	$1,514.80	"To learn about energy supply policy issues"
Stephen D. Ward	Rep. Jeff Bingaman	07/08/10-07/12/10	$1,514.80	"To learn about energy supply policy issues"
Daniel Z. Brito	Rep. Raul Grijalva	05/29/10-06/02/10	$4,107.39	"Assess the situation in Honduras and El Salvador and current U.S. policy implications in the countries"
Robert A. Fuentes	Rep. Barbara Lee	05/29/10-06/02/10	$4,107.39	"Assess the situation in Honduras and El Salvador and current U.S. policy implications in the countries"
Stephanie Gidigbi	Rep. Don Payne	05/29/10-06/02/10	$4,107.39	"Assess the situation in Honduras and El Salvador and current U.S. policy implications in the countries"
Rep. Mike Honda	Rep. Mike Honda	05/29/10-06/02/10	$4,107.39	"Assess the situation in Honduras and El Salvador and current U.S. policy implications in the countries"
Marilyn J. Dillihay	Rep. Steve Cohen	03/28/10-04/01/10	$2,127.40	"Fact-finding trip to understand the importance and culture of U.S. policy toward Cuba"