Mario Diaz-Balart

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true leader and a dedicated public servant, Miami-Dade Police Department Director Robert Parker. After honorably serving his country in the Army, Robert Parker continued his service by joining the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1976. With his hard work and dedication to the police department and to the residents of south Florida, he was able to earn his way through the ranks, eventually being appointed as the director in 2004. As director, Robert Parker was in charge of the eighth largest police department in the country with more than 4,700 sworn and non-sworn personnel serving almost 2.5 million residents and visitors. Director Parker's retirement culminates a long and illustrious career serving and protecting the residents of Miami-Dade County. The Mortgage Fraud Task Force initiated by Director Parker's department has become a national model of success in targeting mortgage fraud crimes. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking Director Robert Parker for his dedicated service to the great people of south Florida and wish him and his family well in his retirement.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize the impassioned advocate and the sponsor of this legislation for 5 minutes, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan), who has been pushing for this resolution.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, unemployment has reached 10.2 percent in our great country, and what is the response of this Congress and this administration? Well, a bill that includes $730 billion in tax increases on small businesses and on the middle class that will cause millions more of Americans to lose their jobs. And adding insult to injury, Mr. Speaker, the Pelosi bill would actually raise the cost of insurance premiums on American families. Mr. Speaker, the American people are not stupid. They know what's in this bill. They know what effects this bill will have on themselves, on their families, and on their country. And that's why the American people have rejected it and are saying ``no'' to this bill. Congress needs to do the right thing, the responsible thing, and also say ``no'' and reject this irresponsible piece of legislation.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this 2,000-page health care bill is not a health care reform bill. It's a monstrosity. It contains three-quarters of a trillion dollars in tax increases on small businesses and the middle class, which will lead to more people losing their jobs. It contains half a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare for our senior citizens. This bill increases the Medicaid costs on our already hard-hit States, which will inevitably have the result of cutting education funding and funding for our first responders on the State level. This bill actually increases the cost of health care, Mr. Speaker. You know, the American people understand that this bill will make the Wall Street bailout, known as TARP, the government takeover of the car industry, and the failed stimulus pale in comparison. Mr. Speaker, the American people have already rejected this bill. Congress needs to listen to them and do the same.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank the distinguished gentlewoman and I want to thank Congressman Buchanan for bringing this up. Madam Chair, as you have heard before, this is a nightmare. This Chinese drywall is a nightmare. These people can't live in their homes; they can't sell their homes; they can't rent their homes. There are potential health hazards while they are there. This amendment would really provide immediate assistance to a number of homeowners to allow them to repair their homes. Again, Congress has to do everything we can to help these individuals who are stuck in this horrible nightmare situation. This is a very, very good, commonsense amendment. I encourage this Congress to adopt this amendment.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a lot has been said, but a lot needs to be said. I would like to thank the chairman and everyone else for bringing this resolution to the floor. We have heard from both of the speakers previously about the great and positive impact that Hispanics have had in this country. Yes, it is a large population and a growing population. It is important that this celebration, which started in 1968 when Congress authorized President Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration. It is important that we recognize and celebrate the contributions of this important part of our country. The chairman mentioned some notable people who have done so much for this country, but you don't need to frankly look too far from Capitol Hill, or too far from this room, this Chamber right now, to recognize some of those who have done so much for our country. One of the families that I greatly admire is the family of the person who is Speaker right now, the Salazar brothers, who have given so much for this country, generation after generation. Previously, Justice Sotomayor was mentioned as another one of the those notable Hispanics whose contributions have been felt for many, many years, and who will continue to be felt for many, many years. It is appropriate that we are here celebrating, and that today Congress joins this celebration, this recognition of such an important part of the fiber of the United States of America, of the Hispanic community of this great country. I thank all of you for bringing this forward. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a little memory check: Do we remember when the administration promised that by spending almost $1 trillion, unemployment would go no higher than 8 percent? Well, now it's close to 8 percent. But not only has this administration failed to create jobs, it is rushing to enact other bills, other legislation that would lead to the loss of millions of more jobs. The cap-and-trade bill would cost the loss of 2 to 3 million jobs a year here in the United States. This health care proposal could cost Americans 4.7 million jobs and lead to $1 trillion in new spending and cuts in Medicare. Mr. Speaker, it's time to stop spending trillions of dollars in wasteful government programs. It's time to stop targeting our senior citizens. What will it take, Mr. Speaker, for this administration and this Congress to finally start focusing on creating jobs?

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I want to thank you for those words. And, again, what we keep talking about is that there is a solution. There is a very simple solution. There's a very simple answer to this crisis, and that's the answer and the solution that men and women for generations, American men and women for generations have given their lives for, and that's for the ability of people to elect their leaders, for free and clear multiparty elections. There are people that are in that process already, a process that has been going on for over a year, a process that has not been interrupted. How we cannot support that process is, frankly, beyond me. I don't know. Maybe the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter), who is one of the keen intellects in this body, can have some explanation as to how elections are not, all of a sudden, the answer, why the Honduran people should not have the right to elect their next President. It is a privilege to have you, sir. I recognize Mr. McCotter.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I think you were very clear in illustrating exactly what did take place. You mentioned what is the end game, what is the solution? What is it that we should all strive for? It's elections. That solves the issue. Those elections are going to take place on November 29. That is a solution we should be applauding. We should be supporting those elections. Unfortunately, this administration is trying to do everything in its power to try to stop those elections from taking place. Now, frankly, one of the people I most admire in this process who has done so much to help push for elections, particularly where they have not been able to do so for generations, who was an advocate of freedom around the world, I am anxious to hear, Mr. Burton, what you have to say, because nobody knows and has fought for elections around the globe like you have. It's a privilege to have you here.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I want to thank the gentleman. The gentleman mentioned bewilderment and that the Honduran people are, frankly, in awe, wondering what is going on. All they want to do is to continue to have their democratic process--to have their elections that were prescheduled. A person who asked that question and who tried to get some real answers is an individual you already met and who went with you to Honduras. He is a person who is, obviously, dedicated, who is young, but who has led a very productive life in public service. So I would like to recognize the other gentleman from your State, who was also down there with you--Mr. Schock. It's interesting. I know you had some of the same questions. I guess you asked the Library of Congress to look into it, right?

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. You just mentioned the election that's going on. It is accurate to say, is it not, that that's a process that's been going on for about a year? And those candidates that you met with are the same candidates that have been in this process that were elected in open primary elections to represent their respective parties. So that has not changed. There is no change there. That process is the same, clean, clear democratic process that has been going on way before any of this controversy has been going on, and they're the same candidates, are they not?

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is no secret that there are many challenges to democracy in our hemisphere. There are a number of anti-democratic regimes within our hemisphere that are doing everything they can to expand their influence, to expand their anti- American, anti-democratic, anti-freedom agenda across the hemisphere. But tonight I want to speak about a little country in Central America that is fighting a heroic battle to stop that trend, to keep their democracy alive, to keep their freedoms, their rule of law, their electoral process intact, and that is Honduras. The people of Honduras, Madam Speaker, have for decades had a democratic process. It has been a process that, frankly, has been a model for many around the world. They have great established democratic institutions. They have had presidential and other elections on regular cycles. And that took place again in November of 2005 when a new President was elected. Mr. Manuel Zelaya was elected. What happened though, unfortunately, Madam Speaker, is that president then started going in the same direction as other authoritarian regimes had gone, like Mr. Chavez in Venezuela. And he started violating the Constitution. He started violating the rule of law, not to mention obviously, other things like massive corruption and theft and allegations of ties with the narco--with drug trafficking. But again, he also was violating the Constitution. On March 23, 2009, right almost at the end of this man's term, he then started an illegal effort to try to change the Constitution so that he could stay in power, remain as President after his term had expired. Now, it's very interesting, we need to understand something, that because Honduras had had dictatorships in the past, their Constitution, which is revered by the people there, was very clear that you could not do that. You could only serve one term as President and that's it for life. You could not do it again. Article IV of that Constitution states very clearly that a President's term may never--is one term, and that that part of the Constitution can never be amended. In other words, a President cannot try to stay on after his term. March 25, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, as again I mentioned, because President Zelaya tried to start the process so that he could remain in power, the Office of the Public Prosecutor begins investigating what President Zelaya is doing, focusing on the legality or the possible illegality of that proposed referendum to change the Constitution. May 2009, because President Zelaya's actions were a clear violation of the Constitution, the Attorney General also petitioned the Administrative Law Tribunal to annul, to stop this illegal process that President Zelaya was trying to do, a referendum again so that he could keep himself in power. May 11, 2009, the Office of the Public Prosecutor publicly states that the referendum violates the Constitution. On May 12, 2009, the Administrative Law Tribunal issues a temporary injunction, prohibiting this referendum that President Zelaya is trying to do to keep himself in power from taking place. May 27, 2009, the Administrative Law Tribunal rules that the referendum violates the Constitution and orders suspension of all acts in its support. May 28, 2009, despite the referendum already having been declared illegal by the Administrative Law Tribunal, then President Zelaya continues to advocate for that referendum so that he can stay in power. On May 29, 2009, the Administrative Law Tribunal clarifies its previous May 27 ruling, explaining that any and all acts that would lead to any vote or poll similar to the referendum that President Zelaya was trying to put forward is a violation of the Constitution. On June 9, 2009, the appellate court, now, of the Administrative Law Tribunal unanimously, unanimously rules that Zelaya's actions violate the Constitution. I think you're starting to see a pattern here; that there is a broad consensus in the courts and everywhere that what Mr. Zelaya's trying to do to keep himself in power is in violation of their country's Constitution. June 19, 2009, the Honduran appeals court orders the Honduran Armed Forces to not provide any support for this proposed referendum that the President was trying to do to keep himself in power. June 24, 2009, Zelaya orders the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense to violate the constitution and to carry out the referendum, which again has already been ruled unconstitutional. You know, why would he ask the Armed Forces to do that? Because under article 272 of that country's Constitution, it states that the Armed Forces is the one that carries out the elections and helps in the election. But the Armed Forces says, No, Mr. President, we're not going to violate the Constitution and the court rulings. So when the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense refuses to carry out the illegal orders of the President to violate the Constitution, what does President Zelaya do? He fires them both. On June 25, 2009, the Office of the Public Prosecutor files a motion with the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice to reinstate the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Mr. Velazquez. June 25, same day, the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice now unanimously rules that Zelaya's dismissal of General Velazquez is another violation of the Constitution. Again, this constitutes one of multiple violations of the Constitution by President Zelaya, and he's trying to do all this so that he can stay in power, despite the Constitution. Now, since this referendum that President Zelaya continues to try to do had been ruled illegal and they can't print the ballots, what does President Zelaya do? He has ballots printed in Venezuela by Hugo Chavez. Everybody in our country knows who Hugo Chavez is. Those ballots are then flown into the country to try to go ahead with this illegal referendum to change the Constitution, I repeat, so that Mr. Zelaya can stay in power. Well, June 25, 2009, the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal declares that the referendum violates the Constitution, once again, and orders that the Armed Forces take custody of those illegal ballots printed in Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. The same day, June 25, the Office of the Public Prosecutor files a criminal complaint against President Zelaya for treason, abuse of authority, and usurpation of power. June 26, 2009, Zelaya makes public a secret executive order rescinding his original intent referendum, replacing it with another one, and basically, again, continuing to go forward to try to change the Constitution so that he can stay in power and stay in power as President. I don't know for how long he had the intention of staying in power. June 27, Zelaya then leads a mob of supporters because, remember, the Armed Forces had held these illegal ballots. Well, he then leads a mob in violation of court orders of the Supreme Court, et cetera, and he breaks into where those ballots had been held by the military, a military base, and he takes them out with the intention of starting to distribute them, despite the fact that there had been multiple court rulings saying that they're illegal. Well, then, June 28, 2009, the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice issues an arrest warrant for President Zelaya and orders the Armed Forces, orders the Armed Forces to arrest him. Remember, this is a court order by the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice ordering the military, and I mentioned before that the military are the ones in their Constitution who are responsible to enforce that. They order the military to go ahead and arrest him. So, yes, the Armed Forces carry out those orders. Now, June 28, the legislature, the Congress of that country votes 124-4 also to remove President Zelaya because of his violation, multiple violations of the Constitution. June 28, 2009, a special congressional commission issued a report on Zelaya's action, a special congressional commission, and based on this report the Congress votes 124-4 to remove Zelaya and replace him with the person who, in their Constitution, was next in line. And that was, who was available was the Speaker of the House, Mr. Micheletti. He becomes the President. June 28, the Armed Forces, as a defender of the Constitution, decides that instead of imprisoning Mr. Zelaya as they had been told to do, following those court orders, instead of imprisoning him, what they do is they put him on an airplane and they send him to neighboring Costa Rica. Now, that is what has happened. The democratic process continues in Honduras. The elections that were convened before this whole issue and this whole crisis started, those have continued to go forward. So here's the good news, that despite that challenge, the Honduran people, the democratic institutions, that democratic country is going forward with their elections. Those elections are going to be taking place the 29th of November. And obviously, we here in the United States and the world should be applauding, applauding that heroic people, the way that they're following their Constitution, they're preserving their institutions, they're preserving the rule of law, their freedom and their democracy. But, unfortunately, Madam Speaker, that's not the case. Because of the pressure of individuals like the Castro dictatorship and Hugo Chavez, unfortunately, even the United States is now saying that the Honduran people should not have elections, that they don't deserve those elections, that they should not go forward with those elections. Now, Madam Speaker, think of the sacrifice of the American people, particularly our men and women in uniform who have done so much and sacrificed so much so that people around the world can have elections. And here we have a neighboring country, an ally of the United States, who is about to have elections, who is about to fulfill their people's dreams. They're going to have presidential elections, municipal elections, and congressional elections. Are we celebrating it? Are we encouraging them? Are we helping them? No. We're trying to stop them. We're trying to impose a dictatorship, and we're trying to stop them. How unfortunate and how shortsighted, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am joined today by a number of individuals that I have the highest admiration and respect for. I would like to first recognize Mr. Roskam from the State of Illinois. Mr. Roskam has been looking at this issue, has been analyzing this issue, speaking up on this issue. And it is a privilege to recognize him for 3 minutes.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida for really summing it up so well that, yes, regardless of what may have happened, the solution is there, it's evident. It's the elections that are coming up. The American people need to understand, need to know that this administration, unfortunately, is siding, siding, is on the side, is siding with Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro in trying to stop the democracy, the democratic process, the elections that are about to take place in Honduras. They need to know that. This administration needs to understand that history will judge this administration if it does not reverse itself and sides with the people of Honduras, with their election, with their freedom. And also the Honduran people need to understand that we have great admiration for them, that we respect their process, their Constitution, and we commend them for going forward with their elections, their free, democratic, multi-party elections. Thank you, Madam Speaker, and with that, I will yield back the remaining part of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank the gentleman. And also coming with us tonight is a person who also has a distinguished and effective record of fighting for human rights and freedom around the globe, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart).

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse and important historic contributions of women and integrating this rich heritage fully into our Nation's history in a place where everyone will be able to see, everyone will be able to visit right here in the heart of the Nation's Capital. Again, H.R. 1700 is intended to help pave the way for a women's museum in the Nation's Capital dedicated to recognizing the significant contributions of women throughout our wonderful and rich history. And despite the significant contributions of women throughout the history of our country, frankly, women continue to be underrepresented in exhibits featured in our museums. The stories and contributions of women are critical to understanding our history as a Nation. And this is one way, just one way, that we can ensure that this history is passed along to our sons and to our daughters. I think it is very befitting that this legislation would provide a prominent site for the National Women's History Museum near the National Mall, again, right here in our Nation's Capital. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill, along with approximately 50 other of my colleagues. I also want to recognize the work of not only Representative Maloney and Chairwoman Norton, who chairs our subcommittee with great distinction, but also Senator Susan Collins, who has worked tirelessly over the previous Congresses on legislation to secure a site for the National Women's History Museum. I support the passage of this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to do so same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, after hearing the eloquent explanation from the sponsor of the legislation, I thank him for his leadership on this bill and many others. This bill would designate a Federal building and courthouse in Laredo, Texas as the ``George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Judge Kazen has served on the District Court for the Southern District of Texas since 1979. From 1996 to 2003, Judge Kazen served as chief judge and, earlier this year he assumed senior status. Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Judge Kazen was in the private practice of law. Earlier in his career he served in the JAG Corp as a U.S. Air Force Captain and worked as a briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court. He received both his bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Texas. His career demonstrates his dedication to public service and the law. I have no objections to the passage of this legislation.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, Pastor Guillermo Maldonado is the founder of Rey Jesus International Ministry in Miami, Florida. It is recognized as the largest Hispanic church in the entire country. He, along with his wife, Ana Maldonado, who is joining us today in the gallery, are spiritual leaders for so many in our community. His dedication and commitment to serving God and to serving his fellow man is, frankly, unparalleled. It's a great honor, a huge honor to have Pastor Maldonado as our guest chaplain in the House today, for he is truly an inspiring figure. I am so glad that this House is able to benefit from the spiritual guidance that so many of us in south Florida have been able to do over the years.