Mobile, June 22 (RHC)-- The founder of the U.S.-Cuba sister cities movement, Jay Higginbotham, has died in Mobile, Alabama at the age of 79.

World traveler, author, historian and environmentalist, Jay had developed Parkinson’s and had been struggling with it for a number of years. 

A statement issued by activists in the U.S.-Cuba solidarity movement said Jay made a huge contribution to the normalization process between the two countries.  He began a nationwide movement that inspired thousands to get involved in establishing community-engaged ‘sister cities’ programs with the people of Cuba, working as partners. 

Friends close to Jay Higginbotham say the best way to honor him is to continue the strategy of building bridges to Cuba, to which he devoted an important part of his life.