Lincoln Diaz-Balart
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| Lincoln Diaz-Balart | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | None (District created after the 1990 census) |
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| Born | August 13, 1954 Havana, Cuba |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cristina Diaz-Balart |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Lincoln Rafael Diaz-Balart (born August 13, 1954), an American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing Florida's 21st congressional district (map).
He was born in Havana, Cuba and is the son of the late Cuban politician Rafael Diaz-Balart. He was educated at American School of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; New College of Florida; Cambridge University; and Case Western Reserve University. He was a lawyer and a state legislator before entering the House.
In 2000 and 2002, he ran for re-election without opposition. Both in 2004 and in 2006, he was unsuccessfully challenged by Frank J. Gonzalez [1], a Libertarian Party candidate in 2004 and Democrat in 2006. On January 16, 2008, Richard Allbritton, a national management consultant and former ship Captain, filed with Florida's Division of Elections as the only Democrat challenging Lincoln Diaz-Balart. A couple of weeks later the former City of Hialeah Mayor, Raul L. Martinez Despite having a long record of Corruption including a Felony conviction, announced that he is running for the 21st District.
He was a sponsor of the Homeland Security Act. He is a sponsor of The American DREAM Act which seeks to facilitate access for immigrant students to post-secondary education by allowing states to have power to determine requirements for in-state tuition.[1] He is also a steadfast proponent of comprehensive immigration reform. He has been a key figure in south Florida bringing millions of dollars to the community most notably one hundred million dollars to the US Southern Command, which is housed in district 21.[citation needed]
Diaz-Balart is married to Cristina Diaz-Balart, and has two children: Lincoln and Daniel. His brother, Mario Diaz-Balart, is also a congressman, representing the 25th district of Florida.
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[edit] Committee Assignments
- Committee on Rules
- Legislative & Budget Process Subcommittee (Ranking Member)
[edit] Cuba
Diaz-Balart plays a prominent role in the Cuban-American lobby, and was active in the failed attempt by relatives of Elian Gonzalez to gain custody of the six year old from his Cuban father.[2] He is a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus.
During his career Diaz-Balart has advocated a naval blockade and military force to be deployed against Cuba,[3] also calling for the U.S. to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro.[4] Diaz-Balart has defended Velentin Hernández, convicted of murdering Luciano Nieves, a fellow Cuban exile who supported negotiations with the Cuban government,[5] and lobbied extensively for the release and pardon of Cuban exile Orlando Bosch, who has been accused of involvement in the 1976 bombing of Cubana Flight 455, which killed 73 people, helping organize an "Orlando Bosch day" to gain support for his release.[6] He also attempted to block Jimmy Carter's visit to the island in 2002.[7]
[edit] Haiti
Diaz-Balart has also been an advocate for the improved treatment of Haitian immigrants[8]. He was a strong supporter HRIFA, legislation that provided for the legalization of many Haitian immigrants. More recently, Diaz-balart has called for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to include Haitian nationals. TPS provides immediate and temporary relief from deportation.
[edit] References
- ^ Lincoln Diaz-Balart - United States Congressman
- ^ Politicization of Elian Gonzalez Often at Cross-Purposes With Law. CNN transcripts.
- ^ Ann Louise Bardach. Cuba confidential. p50
- ^ Congressman Diaz-Balart Says U.S. Should Consider Assassination of Fidel Castro. Wayne Smith. CIP senior fellow. March 31, 2004.
- ^ Our Man's in Miami. Patriot or Terrorist? Washington Post. April 17, 2005.
- ^ The ghost of terror past. Salon.com.
• Who is a terrorist? South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Wayne S. Smith. May 31, 2002.
° Congressman Diaz-Balart Says U.S. Should Consider Assassination of Fidel Castro. Wayne Smith. CIP senior fellow. March 31, 2004. - ^ Ann Louise Bardach. Cuba confidential. p351. "Ignoring the growls of the Reich team and attempts by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-Balart to block the visit, the Bush administration reluctantly granted approval"
• Will Jimmy Carter Become First President to Visit Castro in Cuba? CNN transcripts. - ^ Lincoln Diaz-Balart - United States Congressman
[edit] External links
- Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart official U.S. House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
| Preceded by District Created |
Representative of the 21st Congressional District of Florida 1993–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
