Mario Diaz-Balart

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I also stand to support the nomination of Mr. Miguel Estrada. We just heard his incredible qualifications as a lawyer, a person who has lived the American dream, who came to this country as a teenager barely speaking a word of English but through his work, his hard work, his dedication, bettered himself to become a highly respected attorney in society. Mr. Speaker, some of those now objecting to his confirmation have not been able to find one good reason in over a year that this process has taken place, one good reason why Mr. Estrada should not be on the bench, and yet we have heard a number of discussions d'jour about why Mr. Estrada should not be there. I want to mention some of those, Mr. Speaker, that I think are rather, frankly, amusing if I may say. Some have actually said that Miguel Estrada has never served as a judge before; therefore, he is not qualified to hold this position in this prestigious court. But, Mr. Speaker, five out of the eight judges in that same court where Mr. Estrada has been nominated by this President also never had judicial experience in the past. Why was it okay for them to not have that experience and why is it not okay for this Hispanic brilliant attorney, why does he have to have experience that the other five did not have, Mr. Speaker? I do not know. It begs the question. Mr. Speaker, some people that I admire and care for greatly who were born in the United States of Hispanic origin like I was have actually said publicly that one of the reasons that Mr. Estrada should not be a judge is because he is not Hispanic enough or ``he is Hispanic by name only.'' Some of the people who are saying that, again like I am were born here in the United States and frankly are just not all that fluent in Spanish, and they say that Mr. Estrada, who got here when he was 17 years old, barely speaking English, is not Hispanic enough, is Hispanic by name only? Mr. Speaker, I find that to be frankly offensive, personally offensive. I have no problem that people would object if they find something objectionable in Mr. Estrada's record, but they have been able to find nothing, not one iota of evidence, nothing that should disqualify this young brilliant attorney, Mr. Speaker. I support Mr. Estrada because it would be a wonderful thing for the country. It would be a wonderful thing for Hispanics. It would be a wonderful thing for diversity. A vote for Mr. Estrada is a vote for diversity. And, Mr. Speaker, I hope that we can all united support the nomination of this brilliant, young, talented Hispanic. He deserves it, the people of the United States deserve it, and our court system clearly also deserves to have Miguel Estrada.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, on December 21, 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 exploded in the skies over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 innocent people. Sadly, the government that sponsored this terrorist act only fifteen years ago--Libya--has now been selected to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Unfortunately, the hypocrisy of this reaches far beyond the Pan Am tragedy. Libya continues to stand in consistent violation of international human rights treaties. It's not just that torture and random executions are not condemned by Libya, such gross violations of human rights are heavily practiced and supported by high ranking government officials. Libyans--especially those that freely express their political opinion--live in fear of their own government every day. Torture, abuse and unfair detainments are common practice within the Libyan system of justice, yet Libya has not admitted to a single case of human rights abuses within their country. The preamble of the United Nations' Charter appropriately states: ``We the peoples of the United Nations determined to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.'' As Libya assumes the chair of the U.N.'s Commission on Human Rights, it is clear that this faith has been seriously compromised. It is appalling that a nation with a clear and consistent record of complete disregard for human rights now stands in this key role in helping combat human rights violations. I believe that the legitimacy of this Commission has been lost and thousands of innocent men and women across the world, who fall victim to harsh and unfair treatment every day, will continue to suffer without hope as long as nations like Libya lead the fight to protect human rights by chairing this commission. I join my colleagues in supporting H. Con. Res. 27, which condemns the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to honor the men and women tragically lost on the space shuttle Columbia. These seven astronauts represent the very principles--honor, bravery and dedication--that Americans have looked up to since the beginning of space travel. These heroes are the epitome of what every child in modern times aspires to be. Exploring the last undiscovered frontier is one achievement that only few have done, but all have eagerly sought to do. While America will mourn the loss of these brave heroes for years to come, let us never forget the importance of space travel. Like explorers from Columbus to Amelia Earheart, the crew of the space shuttle Columbia reached frontiers that are only a dream to most of us. In doing so, they have provided mankind with a better understanding of a world we have only begun to discover. These young men and women leave behind families that have been equally dedicated to the goals of this crew and the future of space travel. I extend my deepest gratitude to these families for the sacrifices they have made in order to help this crew achieve their dreams of space travel. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the seven members of the space shuttle Columbia crew who have brought the heroic bravery of past explorers to the horizons of future frontiers.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 5 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''