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Diaz-Balart commends the Florida Legislature for denying hard currency to two oppressive regimes, Cuba and Syria

March 9, 2012

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement commending the Florida House Legislature for passing HB 959 (companion to SB 1144), State and Local Government Relations with Cuba or Syria bill. Diaz-Balart comments:

"I commend the Florida Legislature for passing the ‘State and Local Government Relations with Cuba or Syria’ bill,” said Diaz-Balart. This bill prevents Florida’s agencies and local governments from contracting for $1 million or more with companies that do business with Cuba and Syria, two U.S.-designated State Sponsors of Terrorism.“I want to particularly thank State Representative Michael Bileca for introducing the bill, State Senator Rene Garcia, Speaker Dean Cannon, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and Senator JD Alexander for their laudable efforts to pass this important legislation,” added Diaz-Balart.

This critical legislation would prohibit Florida’s State Board of Administration, which manages nearly $150 billion in state assets, from supporting an expansion of trade with Cuba or Syria. The bill also requires the termination of state and local government contracts with businesses that partner with Cuba or Syria.

“This legislation is an important measure to prevent state funds from propping up the dictators of terrorist states who ruthlessly oppress their own people," concluded Diaz-Balart.