Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Encyclopedia
Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart (born Lincoln Rafael Díaz-Balart Caballero on August 13, 1954) was the U.S. Representative
for from 1993 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives
and the Florida Senate
. He retired from Congress in 2011, and his younger brother, Mario Diaz-Balart
, succeeded him.
, Cuba
to the late Cuba
n politician Rafael Diaz-Balart
and Hilda Caballero Brunet. His aunt, Mirta Diaz-Balart
, was the first wife of Fidel Castro
. Her son, and his cousin, is Fidel Ángel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart. His uncle is the Cuban-Spanish painter, Waldo Díaz-Balart
.
He was educated at American School of Madrid, Madrid
, Spain
; New College of Florida
; and Case Western Reserve University
, from which he earned a law degree. He was involved in a Miami private practice for several years before holding elective office.
seat for District 113 as a Democrat
and lost to the Republican, Humberto Cortina.
Díaz-Balart as well as his immediate family were all members of the Democratic Party. Díaz-Balart was the former president of the Dade County Young Democrats and the Florida Young Democrats, as well as a member of the executive committee of the Dade County Democratic Party.
On April 24, 1985, Diaz-Balart along with his wife and brother Mario switched their registration to Republican.
Díaz-Balart served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1986 to 1989 and served in the Florida Senate
from 1989 to 1992.
(ACU). His lifetime rating from the ACU is 73.
In 2006, he voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment
and in 2007 voted for the Matthew Shepard Act
, which expanded the federal hate crime law to include sexual orientation and disability. In December 2010, Diaz-Balart was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the United States military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell
" ban on openly gay service members.
He was a sponsor of the Homeland Security Act. He is a sponsor of The American DREAM Act which seeks to facilitate access for illegal immigrant students to post-secondary education by allowing states to have power to determine requirements for in-state tuition. 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.
He has achieved passage into law of historic pieces of legislation – such as the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), and the codification of the U.S. embargo on Cuba (requiring that all political prisoners be freed and multi-party elections scheduled in Cuba before U.S. sanctions can be lifted). Diaz-Balart took to the floor of the House for passage, the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security, and the extension (for 25 years) of the Voting Rights Act.
Diaz-Balart is a staunch advocate of a federal prohibition of online poker
. In 2006, he cosponsored H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.
, and was active in the attempt by relatives of Elian Gonzalez
to gain custody of the six year old from his Cuban father.
During his career Diaz-Balart has advocated a naval blockade to be deployed against Cuba, also calling for the United States to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro
. Diaz-Balart has defended Velentin Hernández, convicted of murdering Luciano Nieves, a fellow Cuban exile
who supported negotiations with the Cuban government, 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
, helping organize an "Orlando Bosch day" to gain support for his release. He also attempted to block Jimmy Carter
's visit to the island in 2002.
Congressman Diaz-Balart is a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus
in 2006. In 2004 Diaz-Balart won with 73% of the vote. In 2006, Diaz-Balart won with 59% of the vote.
In 2004, Gonzalez ran for U.S. House as the Libertarian Party candidate and spent around $12,000 and earned 54,736 votes or 27% of the total.
In 2006, Gonzalez managed to earn 45,522 votes or 41% according to the Florida Department of State's Division of Elections website.
. It was initially thought that Diaz-Balart would face his toughest race to date. Although the 21st District is considered the most Republican district in the Miami area, Martinez was thought to be very popular in the area. Nevertheless, Diaz-Balart won re-election with 58% of the vote.
, ran to replace him and won.
, previously represented the 25th district of Florida but now represents the 21st district. He has two other brothers, Jose Diaz-Balart
, a journalist, and Rafael Díaz-Balart, a banker.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for from 1993 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
and the Florida Senate
Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
. He retired from Congress in 2011, and his younger brother, Mario Diaz-Balart
Mario Diaz-Balart
Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart Caballero is the current U.S. Representative for , serving since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2010 to succeed his brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The district includes the city of Hialeah, along with several of Miami's southwestern suburbs...
, succeeded him.
Early life and education
Diaz-Balart was born in HavanaHavana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
to the late Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n politician Rafael Diaz-Balart
Rafael Diaz-Balart
Rafael Lincoln Díaz-Balart y Gutiérrez was a Cuban politician. Díaz-Balart served as Majority Leader of the Cuban House of Representatives and Minister of the Interior during the presidency of Fulgencio Batista....
and Hilda Caballero Brunet. His aunt, Mirta Diaz-Balart
Mirta Diaz-Balart
Mirta Francisca de la Caridad Díaz-Balart y Gutiérrez was Fidel Castro's first wife, the daughter of Rafael José Díaz-Balart, a prominent Cuban politician and mayor of the town of Banes, and wife América Gutiérrez...
, was the first wife of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
. Her son, and his cousin, is Fidel Ángel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart. His uncle is the Cuban-Spanish painter, Waldo Díaz-Balart
Waldo Diaz-Balart
Waldo Díaz-Balart is a Cuban painter living in Madrid, Spain.Díaz-Balart studied accounting and political science and economics in Havana before moving to New York to pursue art studies in 1959. From 1959 to 1962 studied art in the Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA...
.
He was educated at American School of Madrid, Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
; New College of Florida
New College of Florida
New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college located in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded originally as a private institution and is now an autonomous honors college of the State University System of Florida.-History:...
; and Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
, from which he earned a law degree. He was involved in a Miami private practice for several years before holding elective office.
Political career
In 1982, he ran for a Florida House of RepresentativesFlorida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
seat for District 113 as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and lost to the Republican, Humberto Cortina.
Díaz-Balart as well as his immediate family were all members of the Democratic Party. Díaz-Balart was the former president of the Dade County Young Democrats and the Florida Young Democrats, as well as a member of the executive committee of the Dade County Democratic Party.
On April 24, 1985, Diaz-Balart along with his wife and brother Mario switched their registration to Republican.
Díaz-Balart served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1986 to 1989 and served in the Florida Senate
Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
from 1989 to 1992.
Congressional committee assignments
- Committee on RulesUnited States House Committee on RulesThe Committee on Rules, or Rules Committee, is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. Rather than being responsible for a specific area of policy, as most other committees are, it is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor...
- Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget ProcessUnited States House Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget ProcessThe Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process is a subcommittee within the House Rules CommitteeAccording to the Committee rules, this Subcommittee has general responsibility for measures or matters related to relations between the Congress and the Executive Branch.-Members, 112th...
(Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process
Party leadership
- House Republican Policy CommitteeSteering and Policy Committee of the United States House of RepresentativesIn the United States House of Representatives, the House Democratic Caucus includes a Steering and Policy Committee. Its primary purpose is to assign fellow party members to other House committees, and it also advises party leaders on policy...
Political positions
In general, Diaz-Balart's voting record has been moderate by Republican standards. Over the past two years, he has received scores of 60 from the American Conservative UnionAmerican Conservative Union
The American Conservative Union is an American political organization advocating conservative policies, and is the oldest such conservative lobbying organization in the country.-Organization:...
(ACU). His lifetime rating from the ACU is 73.
In 2006, he voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment
Federal Marriage Amendment
The Federal Marriage Amendment H.J. Res. 56 was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have limited marriage in the United States to unions of one man and one woman...
and in 2007 voted for the Matthew Shepard Act
Matthew Shepard Act
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act, is an American Act of Congress, passed on October 22, 2009, and signed into law by President Barack Obama on October 28, 2009, as a rider to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010...
, which expanded the federal hate crime law to include sexual orientation and disability. In December 2010, Diaz-Balart was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the United States military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Don't ask, don't tell
"Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on homosexuals serving in the military from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while...
" ban on openly gay service members.
He was a sponsor of the Homeland Security Act. He is a sponsor of The American DREAM Act which seeks to facilitate access for illegal immigrant students to post-secondary education by allowing states to have power to determine requirements for in-state tuition. 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.
He has achieved passage into law of historic pieces of legislation – such as the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), and the codification of the U.S. embargo on Cuba (requiring that all political prisoners be freed and multi-party elections scheduled in Cuba before U.S. sanctions can be lifted). Diaz-Balart took to the floor of the House for passage, the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security, and the extension (for 25 years) of the Voting Rights Act.
Diaz-Balart is a staunch advocate of a federal prohibition of online poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
. In 2006, he cosponsored H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.
Cuba
Diaz-Balart plays a prominent role in the Cuban-American lobbyCuban-American lobby
The Cuban-American lobby describes those various groups of Cuban exiles in the United States and their descendants who have historically influenced the United States' policy toward Cuba...
, and was active in the attempt by relatives of Elian Gonzalez
Elián González
The custody and immigration status of a young Cuban boy, Elián González , was at the center of a heated 2000 controversy involving the governments of Cuba and the United States, González's father, Juan Miguel González Quintana, González's other relatives in Miami, Florida, and in Cuba, and Miami's...
to gain custody of the six year old from his Cuban father.
During his career Diaz-Balart has advocated a naval blockade to be deployed against Cuba, also calling for the United States to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
. Diaz-Balart has defended Velentin Hernández, convicted of murdering Luciano Nieves, a fellow Cuban exile
Cuban exile
The term "Cuban exile" refers to the many Cubans who have sought alternative political or economic conditions outside the island, dating back to the Ten Years' War and the struggle for Cuban independence during the 19th century...
who supported negotiations with the Cuban government, and lobbied extensively for the release and pardon of Cuban exile Orlando Bosch
Orlando Bosch
Orlando Bosch Ávila was a Cuban exile militant, former Central Intelligence Agency-backed operative, and head of Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations, which the FBI has described as "an anti-Castro terrorist umbrella organization". Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh called...
, who has been accused of involvement in the 1976 bombing of Cubana Flight 455
Cubana Flight 455
Cubana Flight 455 was a Cuban flight from Barbados to Jamaica that was brought down by a terrorist attack on October 6, 1976. All 78 people on board the Douglas DC-8 aircraft were killed in what was then the deadliest terrorist airline attack in the Western hemisphere...
, helping organize an "Orlando Bosch day" to gain support for his release. He also attempted to block Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
's visit to the island in 2002.
Congressman Diaz-Balart is a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus
Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus
The Cuba Democracy Caucus is a bicameral and bi-partisan congressional group that was created in 2004 with the stated purpose of "promoting discussion and proactive policies designed to hasten Cuba's transition towards a free and democratic society."...
Haiti
Diaz-Balart has also been an advocate of the improved treatment of Haitian immigrants. 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.Healthcare
Diaz-Balart publicly called the passage of the health care bill in Congress on Mar. 22, 2010, “a decisive step in the weakening of the United States.”2008 financial crisis
On September 29, 2008, Diaz-Balart voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Division A of , commonly referred to as a bailout of the U.S. financial system, is a law enacted in response to the subprime mortgage crisis...
1992 through 1998
In 1992, Diaz-Balart defeated fellow State Senator Javier Souto in the Republican primary for the newly created 21st District. No other party put up a candidate, assuring Diaz-Balart's election. He was unopposed for reelection in 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2002 and defeated an underfunded Democrat, Patrick Cusack, with 75 percent in 1998.2004 and 2006
In both 2004 and 2006, Lincoln Diaz-Balart was unsuccessfully challenged by Frank J. Gonzalez http://www.electfrank.org, a Libertarian Party candidate in 2004 and DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in 2006. In 2004 Diaz-Balart won with 73% of the vote. In 2006, Diaz-Balart won with 59% of the vote.
In 2004, Gonzalez ran for U.S. House as the Libertarian Party candidate and spent around $12,000 and earned 54,736 votes or 27% of the total.
In 2006, Gonzalez managed to earn 45,522 votes or 41% according to the Florida Department of State's Division of Elections website.
2008
Diaz-Balart's Democratic opponent in 2008 was former Hialeah Mayor Raul L. MartinezRaul L. Martinez
Raul L. Martinez is a former mayor of Hialeah, Florida, United States. He is a Democrat and was mayor for 24 years, first elected in 1981 and was the Democratic congressional candidate for Florida's 21st congressional district in 2008.-Family:Former Hialeah Mayor Raul L...
. It was initially thought that Diaz-Balart would face his toughest race to date. Although the 21st District is considered the most Republican district in the Miami area, Martinez was thought to be very popular in the area. Nevertheless, Diaz-Balart won re-election with 58% of the vote.
2010
In February 2010, Diaz-Balart announced his intention to not to seek re-election. His brother, Congressman Mario Diaz-BalartMario Diaz-Balart
Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart Caballero is the current U.S. Representative for , serving since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2010 to succeed his brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The district includes the city of Hialeah, along with several of Miami's southwestern suburbs...
, ran to replace him and won.
Personal life
Díaz-Balart is married to Cristina Fernandez, and has two children: Lincoln and Daniel. His brother, Mario Díaz-BalartMario Diaz-Balart
Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart Caballero is the current U.S. Representative for , serving since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2010 to succeed his brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The district includes the city of Hialeah, along with several of Miami's southwestern suburbs...
, previously represented the 25th district of Florida but now represents the 21st district. He has two other brothers, Jose Diaz-Balart
Jose Diaz-Balart
José Díaz-Balart is a Cuban-American journalist and television anchorman. He is currently the anchor for Noticiero Telemundo, the network's news program as well as the network's Washington DC-based public affairs Sunday morning program Enfoque...
, a journalist, and Rafael Díaz-Balart, a banker.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart official U.S. House site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...