[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 124 (Thursday, July 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALAN S. BECKER

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2020

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and 
legacy of my dear friend, co-founder of Becker and Poliakoff law firm, 
Alan S. Becker. Alan's quest for a law degree brought him to Florida 
where he attended the University of Miami School of Law. Alan graduated 
in 1969 and scored the highest grade on that years legal Bar exam. 
Early in his career he worked in the Office of the Attorney General and 
as an assistant public defender.
  At the age of 26, Alan became the youngest person elected to the 
Florida House of Representatives, serving three terms from 1972 to 
1978. Alan pioneered community association law with his long-time 
business partner, Gary Poliakoff, initially working out of the trunk of 
a car representing condo owners. Their law firm has since grown into 
one of the largest in Florida, with offices in New York, New Jersey, 
and Washington, D.C.
  The official accolades and honors for Alan are too numerous to count, 
however, I want to highlight a few. Alan passed the Czech Republic Bar 
exam in 1992 and served as honorary counsel there until 2016. He was a 
passionate writer, teacher and painter. He authored two books, taught 
``The Business of Law'' at the University of Miami School of Law, and 
lectured on leadership at Keiser University. Alan sat on the Board of 
Directors for Enterprise Florida and received the Governor's Business 
Ambassador Medallion for his contributions to economic development.
  Madam Speaker, Alan was a lifelong Democrat, but always reached 
across the aisle and worked in conjunction with others to find the best 
solution for our community, a quality that I honor and respect and is 
one of the many outstanding qualities of his character that made me 
proud to call him a friend. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Alan's 
family and friends and I pray that they find comfort during this 
extremely difficult time. Alan will be dearly missed.

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