After returning from a visit to Communist Cuba, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-California) and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus were overflowing with praise for former Cuban President Fidel Castro, the Politico reports.

Hours after meeting with her idol in the class struggle, Lee, who chairs the liberal CBC, told reporters on Capitol Hill the tender reunion “was quite a moment to behold.” Lee’s been a friend of Cuba for years.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Illinois) was also filled with love. He said the retired dictator’s home was modest and his wife hospitable. “It was almost like listening to an old friend,” said Rush.

“In my household I told Castro he is known as the ultimate survivor,” said the congressman, a co-founder of the Illinois Black Panther Party.

Lee’s fellow Californian, Democratic Rep. Laura Richardson, was excited that like President Obama, Castro wants to move on to the next chapter in U.S. foreign policy.

“He listened. He said the exact same thing” as President Obama said about turning the page, she gushed. Castro even knew her name and her congressional district, said the starstruck lawmaker. “He looked right into my eyes and he said, ‘How can we help? How can we help President Obama?'”

After the meeting, Castro released a statement saying the CBC delegation told him that a chunk of American society “continues to be racist.” That section of the population shares the blame for the continuation of the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba, he said.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri) said Papa Fidel said no such thing. “That did not happen,” he said.