Dante Fascell

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Dante Bruno Fascell (March 9, 1917 – November 28, 1998) was an American politician from the state of Florida.

[edit] Early life

Fascell was born in Bridgehampton, New York. He moved to Florida in 1925 and, in 1938, he graduated from the University of Miami law school, where he was inducted into the prestigious Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor awarded at the university.

Fascell served in the Florida National Guard during World War II, serving in the African, Sicilian, and Italian Campaigns.

[edit] Political career

Fascell was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1950.

In 1954, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a Democrat in a district representing Dade County, Florida.

Fascell refused to sign the Southern Manifesto in 1956. Fascell began as a supporter of the Vietnam War, but he soon spoke out against the war. Fascell co-sponsored the War Powers Act and he won aid for Cuban-Americans who had settled in his district. From 1984 to 1993, Fascell was the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Fascell retired from the House after his 19th term ended in 1993. He died from colorectal cancer in 1998 at the age of 81.

Preceded by William C. Lantaff	United States Representative for the 4th Congressional District of Florida 1955–1967	Succeeded by Albert S. Herlong, Jr.
Preceded by William C. Cramer	United States Representative for the 12th Congressional District of Florida 1967–1973	Succeeded by J. Herbert Burke
Preceded by District Created	United States Representative for the 15th Congressional District of Florida 1973–1983	Succeeded by Clay Shaw
Preceded by District Created	United States Representative for the 19th Congressional District of Florida 1983–1993	Succeeded by Harry Johnston