Posted on 05/07/2005 8:51:43 PM PDT by The Bronze Titan
MIAMI -- Rafael L. Diaz-Balart, a Cuban exile politician who fervently opposed Cuban President Fidel Castro -- his former brother-in-law -- and was father to two U.S. congressmen, died Friday. He was 79.
Diaz-Balart died at his home in Key Biscayne after a long battle with leukemia, a family spokesman said.
Diaz-Balart was an attorney and politician who rose to the position of majority leader in Cuba's House of Representatives before Castro seized power in 1959. After leaving Cuba, Diaz-Balart founded the White Rose Party that was dedicated to fighting Castro's government and also was a diplomat for Costa Rica and legal adviser for Spain.
"His death constitutes another reason to continue to fight for Cuba's freedom, which was the ideal of his life, and of so many Cubans who have died longing for free Cuba," said his son, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.
One of Diaz-Balart's other sons, Mario, also represents Florida in the U.S. House.
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., called...
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Farewell to a true hero.
ping for a.m. coffee
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