Yesterday we sent about 130 emails to Rep. Donnelly regarding ENDA, HR 3017. A phone call to his office at the end of the day suggests he is still undecided. You might want to call him at 574-288-2780. And now...
Today's LEGISLATOR OF THE DAY
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Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
In many ways a staunch Republican on social issues, he is a fair-minded one when it comes to jobs, voting for ENDA in 07. But he's playing it close to the vest on HR 3017 this time around. He needs a little tug to loosen that vest.
Please email him at http://bit.ly/... His zip code is 33175-3436.
Tel: 305-225-6866
And while you're at it, call your own Members of Congress once in a while. You never call, you never write... http://bit.ly/...
According to Wikipedia, Diaz-Balart is the son of the late Cuban politician Rafael Diaz-Balart. His aunt, Mirta Diaz-Balart, was the first wife of Fidel Castro. Her son, and his cousin, is Fidel Ángel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart. His uncle is the Cuban-Spanish painter, Waldo Diaz-Balart. His brother, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, is also a congressman, representing the 21st district of Florida. He currently lives in Miami with his wife and son.
Mario Diaz-Balart's voting record is somewhat more conservative than that of the other two Cuban-Americans who represent Miami--Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (a co-sponsor of ENDA this year) and his elder brother (Lincoln). During his first three terms, he was one of two voting Latino members of the House--the other being Trent Franks of Arizona -- known to be a member of the conservative Republican Study Committee.
He is a founding member of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, a caucus of Hispanic Republican congressmen.
His reelection in 2008 was by the fairly small margin of 53-47 against his Democratic challenger.
He voted yes on the previous hate crimes bill, and yes on ENDA in 2007.