[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 148 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DANTE B. FASCELL NORTH-SOUTH CENTER ACT OF 1991

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 12, 1998

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
support of legislation that renames the University of Miami's North/
South Center in honor of my good friend Dante B. Fascell. Dante Fascell 
worked tirelessly to help create and fund the North/South Center during 
his tenure as the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 
Throughout his service in Congress, Dante Fascell was a constant 
advocate for the cause of democracy and open dialogue among the nations 
of the Western Hemisphere. Our Nation owes him a debt of gratitude for 
his years of service.
  Dante Fascell's support for the creation of the North/South Center 
stemmed from his strong belief that the free exchange of ideas would 
strengthen our Nation's security, competitiveness and economic 
vitality. The North/South Center provides a forum for research and 
policy analysis that is unparalleled by any other institution in the 
country and promotes better understanding and relations between the 
United States, Canada, and the nations of Latin America and the 
Caribbean.
  In 1990, with the passage of the North/South Center Act, Congress 
authorized the establishment of the Center as a place for ``cultural 
and technical interchange between North and South.'' Dante Fascell's 
dream was to focus the country on the pursuit of policies which 
strengthen our national economic policy, trade practices, and relations 
with the countries of the Western Hemisphere.
  The North/South Center plays many roles. It is a think-tank, a 
foundation, a public resource center, and a repository of information. 
The work of the Center informs our national debate regarding topics of 
major significance, such as trade, economic growth, immigration, drug 
control policies, and the spread of democracy.
  There is no greater way that we can thank Dante Fascell for his vital 
contributions to the North/South Center than naming it in his honor. 
Dante Fascell served his constituents in Florida and the Nation as a 
whole for 36 years. He is, indeed, worthy of this tribute and I would 
like to thank my colleagues for passing H.R. 4757.

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