(13 of 17)
Meek, a daughter of sharecroppers and a granddaughter of slaves, ignited a small fire storm when she used a one-minute speech to question the propriety of a Newt Gingrich book deal. Republicans had her remarks struck from the Congressional Record, but that hasn't quelled her ardor for the underdog, whom she continues to champion by promoting federal jobs programs.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "We black folk should never forget that our forefathers were slaves."
WELLINGTON ROLLE (R) District 17
BORN: Jan. 17, 1933, Pompano EDUCATION: Florida A&M U, 1950-51, 61-63 FAMILY: Divorced, one child RELIGION: Protestant MILITARY: Air Force, 1951-61 OCCUPATION: Business consultant POLITICAL CAREER: Candidate for Dade County commission, 1972, 1976, 1978; candidate for Miami mayor, 1973; candidate for Florida House, 1979 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 420201, Allapattah Station, Miami 33142. Tel.: 305-634-0747
Rolle, an African American who has lived in the 17th District nearly all his life, says he is concerned that too many retail and service-sector jobs have been taken from longtime black residents of the district by recent immigrants. He thinks the disparity can be alleviated if these old-line residents could get small-business loans. Rolle has a long history of civic involvement, but given the district's overwhelming Democratic slant, he will have his work cut out for himself in November.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The black community is naturally conservative."
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R) District 18 (Southeast--parts of Dade County; part of Miami)
BORN: July 15, 1952, Havana, Cuba EDUCATION: Miami-Dade Community College, A.A., 1972; Florida International U, B.A., 1975, M.S., 1987 FAMILY: Husband, Dexter Lehtinen; two children, two stepchildren RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Teacher; private-school administrator POLITICAL CAREER: Florida House, 1982-86, Senate, 1986-89; U.S. House, 1989- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 52-2784, Miami 33152. Tel.: 305-460-3245 The first Cuban American in Congress, Ros-Lehtinen helped pass the Helms-Burton bill, which penalizes those who profit from property confiscated by the Castro regime. With no Democrat in the race, she will probably keep her seat.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "[A]n anti-immigrant sentiment is growing from an unreal perception that immigrants only come to the United States to take advantage of our generous society and become a burden on the state...Nothing could be further from the truth."
BEVERLY KENNEDY (R) District 19 (Southeast--parts of Palm Beach and northern Broward counties; Boca Raton)