Meek Honors Rafael José Diaz-Balart

Legislation recognizes lifetime achievements of U.S. Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart’s grandfather

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) introduced legislation honoring Rafael José Diaz-Balart, grandfather of fellow Miami Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), who will be posthumously recognized on February 10, 2007 when Florida International University College of Law dedicates the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall.

“Rafael José Diaz-Balart was the patriarch of a proud family with a strong tradition of public service and a long record of impressive achievements.  His son, Rafael Lincoln, was a prominent Member of the Cuban House of Representatives, and his four grandsons, U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, journalist Jose Diaz-Balart, and investment banker Rafael Diaz-Balart have carried on the proud family tradition of achievement and public service,” Meek said.

Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart remarked, “This kind gesture by Congressman Kendrick Meek demonstrates the friendship and respect that unites the Florida delegation across party lines.”

Speaking on the House Floor, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart thanked Congressman Meek, stating, “On behalf of the Diaz-Balart family, I want to thank you for this deep honor and for this deep privilege.  This will be a day that we will not soon forget.”

Rafael José Diaz-Balart was a native of Santiago de Cuba, and completed his studies at the University of Havana with a law degree in 1919. While maintaining his law practice, he was elected City Council President and Mayor of Banes, and later, to the Cuban House of Representatives.

After the 1959 coup in Cuba, Rafael José Diaz-Balart lived in exile, eventually becoming a proud citizen of the United States.  He died in Miami, Florida, in 1985.

On Saturday, February 10, 2007, the Florida International University College of Law will dedicate its new law center as the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall, which was designed by the internationally renowned architect Robert A. M. Stern, Dean of the School of Architecture at Yale University.

The entire Florida delegation joined Congressman Meek as co-sponsors of H. Res. 131.

A copy of H.Res. 131 follows.

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HOUSE RESOLUTION 131

Mr. Meek of Florida.  Recognizing and honoring the lifetime contributions of Rafael José Diaz-Balart on the dedication of the Rafael Diaz-Balart-Hall at the Florida International University College of Law.

Whereas, a native of Santiago de Cuba, Rafael José Diaz-Balart completed his studies at the University of Havana with a law degree in 1919;

Whereas, soon after joining the Bar, he became a municipal judge in the city of Palma Soriano, where he served with distinction for four years until, by civil service examination, he obtained the post of civil law notary in the town of Banes in eastern Cuba;

Whereas, while maintaining his law practice, Rafael José Diaz-Balart was elected City Council President and Mayor of Banes;

Whereas he was later elected Congressman and transferred his law practice to the city of Holguín and subsequently to Havana, where he founded the law firm of Diaz-Balart, Diaz-Balart and Amador, with his son, Rafael Lincoln, and Rolando Amador;

Whereas, years later, also by examination, Rafael José Diaz-Balart assumed the post of Land Registrar, a prominent achievement for lawyers in many civil law countries, including Cuba;

Whereas Rafael José Diaz-Balart lived in exile after 1959, and became a proud citizen of the United States of America;

Whereas, along with his son, Rafael Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Rafael José Diaz-Balart commenced law school at the University of Madrid, Spain, and in 1965, at age 66, earned a second Law Degree;

Whereas Rafael José Diaz-Balart died in Miami, Florida in 1985;

Whereas Rafael José Diaz-Balart instilled not only in his son, but his four grandsons a sense honor and service, which led them to become prominent members of American society;

Whereas his son, Rafael Lincoln, was a prominent member of the Cuban House of Representatives, and his grandsons sons, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart were elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1992 and 2002, respectively; Jose Diaz Balart became a prominent journalist as the Washington bureau chief for Telemundo Network and as the first US journalist to host daily Spanish and English language newscasts; and Rafael Diaz Balart became a prominent Miami investment banker;

Whereas, on February 10, 2007, Florida International University will dedicate the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall as the new home of the College of Law;

Whereas Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall will provide a state-of-the-art facility for teaching, research and study, as well as scholarly and social interaction;

Whereas the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall was designed by the internationally renowned architect Robert A. M. Stern, Dean of the School of Architecture at Yale University;

Now, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the lifetime accomplishments and legacy of Rafael José Diaz-Balart for his numerous contributions to a free and democratic Cuba, and recognizes the Florida International University dedication of the Rafael Diaz-Balart-Hall at the College of Law as an appropriate tribute in his memory.

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