Latest news with #LincolnDiaz-Balart
Miami Herald
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Cuban-American Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart measured up to his name
In naming Lincoln Diaz-Balart upon his birth, his parents perceptively foreshadowed his life of outstanding public service. Like President Abraham Lincoln's service to our nation more than a century earlier, his service emphasized human rights and the rule of law. He addressed such issues in his native homeland of Cuba but did not focus exclusively on Cuba. His human rights advocacy spanned the globe until his death this week at 70. Perhaps the best example of his leadership in this field was his successful advocacy of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, or the Helms-Burton Act, which he did as my colleague and a member of Congress from South Florida. While many people worked on this act, Lincoln Daiz-Balart was the leader who brought these disparate individuals together to pass this historic legislation over the latent hostility of the State Department and the administration. He was the mover behind this surprising legislative victory. On Feb. 24, 1996, the Cuban regime planned and executed the shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue small private planes in international airspace over international waters, which searched for 'rafters' fleeing the dictatorial oppression of communist Cuba. Lincoln Diaz-Balart immediately perceived that this murderous act by the Cuban government, which killed three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident, could coerce the Clinton administration and the reluctant Congress into some positive action. Somewhat embarrassed by its lack of any significant response whatsoever, the Clinton White House was vulnerable to his advocacy for a Cuba policy bill that had been percolating among anti-Castro lawmakers for some time but had never gained sufficient traction within broader political circles. But now, would leaders in Congress and the administration, including the president, risk appearing to 'defend' the Cuban regime after its blatant execution of the South Florida fliers? Diaz-Balart knew this was the time to move, assembling colleagues and supporters to pass the LIBERTAD Act on March 12, 1996. The act condemned the shootdown as a 'criminal act by Castro's air force'. It went on to place into law several policies that several presidents had adopted over the years, but that seemed in jeopardy of being weakened or eliminated entirely at the hands of appeasers within the executive branch. Thanks to Diaz-Balart, specific provisions were codified, thus placing them in the control of Congress rather than any president. From then on, real steps toward democracy and freedom would have to be demonstrated by the Cuban regime before certain restrictions on commercial activity and travel could be lifted, ensuring that such a loosening of control did not simply fund and support the totalitarian regime. Steps toward the normalization of relations between the two countries could only occur as progress was made on the island toward competitive political parties, free elections, a competitive economy and personal political freedoms, such as free speech. In meetings with the administration, Diaz-Balart gained grudging agreement by asking participants about the value of freedom, which they found difficult to avoid. One of my favorite memories of my dear friend in action is the closed-door debates we had on the provisions of the Helms-Burton bill, where Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) was the host and present was former U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), among others. Once Helms saw that Diaz-Balart was knowledgeable on the bill, he left us alone to hammer out all the details. He knew that the legislation that carried his name was in good hands. The real work in that beautiful Senate ceremonial room was left to Diaz-Balart and we helped him along. The Helms-Burton bill enshrined the embargo on Cuba into U.S. law. That was one of Lincoln Diaz-Balart's finest legislative accomplishments. The LIBERTAD Act is unquestionably one of only two instances in which Congress has successfully asserted its full constitutional role in American foreign policy. (The only other instance is the Taiwan Relations Act.) Lincoln Diaz-Balart's impact on U.S. foreign policy will outlast his unfortunate premature passing. His values, integrity, leadership and perseverance are outstanding traits for us to follow. For this we are grateful. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is a former Republican Cuban-American congresswoman from Miami. For years, she served in Congress alongside U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
Washington Post
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Former US Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a champion of democracy in Cuba, dies at 70
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Cuban American who fought tirelessly for a free Cuba and who spent 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of a politically powerful South Florida family, has died after battling cancer, his family said Monday. He was 70. His brother, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, said in a statement on the social platform X that his brother was 'a defender of the silenced and oppressed, author of the democracy requirement for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship.'
Associated Press
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Former US Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a champion of democracy in Cuba, dies at 70
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Cuban American who fought tirelessly for a free Cuba and who spent 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of a politically powerful South Florida family, has died after battling cancer, his family said on Monday. He was 70. His brother, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, said in a statement on the social platform X that his brother was 'a defender of the silenced and oppressed, author of the democracy requirement for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship.' A public mass memorial will be celebrated at a later date, the family said. 'Lincoln's profound love for the United States and his relentless commitment to the cause of a free Cuba guided him throughout his life and his 24 years in elected public service, including 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives,' Mario Diaz-Balart said in the statement. Lincoln Diaz-Balart served in the Florida state House from 1987 to 1989, the state Senate from 1989 to 1993 and represented South Florida in Congress from 1993 to 2011. During his time in Congress, Diaz-Balart significantly affected U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, including codifying into law the Cuban embargo and enacting the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act. The act provided deportation protections and immigration benefits to Cubans, Nicaraguans, Salvadorians and Guatemalans. The Diaz-Balarts have deep roots in both Miami and Cuba. Their father, Rafael Diaz-Balart, was a prominent Cuban politician who opposed Fidel Castro and who founded the first anti-Castro organization La Rosa Blanca. Rafael Diaz-Balart's sister was Castro's first wife, making the younger Diaz-Balarts the dictator's nephews.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart dies at 70, family says
Former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Republican who represented a district along Florida's Treasure Coast from 1993 to 2011, has died. Diaz-Balart, 70, was the brother of current Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who posted a statement from the family online Monday morning in English and Spanish, praising the late lawmaker as a 'defender of the silent and oppressed.' 'Lincoln's profound love for the United States and his relentless commitment to the cause of a free Cuba guided him throughout his life and his 24 years in elected public service, including 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives,' the statement read. 'We will miss him infinitely.' A public memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date, according to the family statement. The late Diaz-Balart was the architect behind Congress enshrining the long-standing U.S. embargo against Cuba. He was born in Havana, but the prominent political family moved to the U.S. after Fidel Castro seized power in 1959. He was chair emeritus of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, which he cofounded in 2003. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Rep Lincoln Diaz-Balart, brother of sitting congressman, dead at 70
Former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., has died at the age of 70, his brother and current House member Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., announced. "Defender of the silenced and oppressed, author of the democracy requirement for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship, and the author of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA). Lincoln's legacy of achievements will endure for generations, and continues the work of the Congressional Hispalic Leadership Institute (CHLI) which he co-founded in 2003," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said in a statement about his brother. Lincoln Diaz-Balart served Floridians as a member of the Republican Party. The Cuban refugee first got into politics by "leading the Florida Young Democrats and running an unsuccessful campaign for the Florida legislature as a Democrat in 1982," his congressional biography states. He formally switched his party allegiance in 1985 and was elected to the Florida legislature in 1986. Then, he "sponsored laws strengthening sentences for crimes against law enforcement officers, increasing penalties for drug-related money laundering, providing low-interest loans for home construction, creating a statewide program to combat substance abuse, and establishing disclosure rules for Florida companies doing business with Cuba," according to the biography. White House Will Not Release Visitor Logs During Trump's Second Term He was sworn into Congress in January 1993 and served until his retirement in 2010. That same year, his brother Mario won the election to succeed him in the 21st Congressional District. Read On The Fox News App Diaz-Balart leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Cristina; his son Daniel; two grandsons and three brothers. He was preceded in death by his first son, Lincoln Gabriel. Rubio Signs Declaration To Expedite $4B In Arms To Israel 'Wrongly Withheld' By Biden "Lincoln's profound love for the United States, and his relentless commitment to the cause of a free Cuba, guided him throughout his life and his 24 years in elected public service, including 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives," Mario's announcement said. "We will miss him infinitely."Original article source: Former Rep Lincoln Diaz-Balart, brother of sitting congressman, dead at 70
