[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2036-H2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE ALCEE 
                              L. HASTINGS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) is 
recognized for the remainder of the hour as the designee of the 
majority leader.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairwoman so very much 
for yielding tonight, and I thank her for establishing the uniqueness 
of this Special Order.
  It is a special Special Order in tribute and in remembrance of Alcee 
Lamar Hastings, a tireless fighter for justice and equality, dean of 
the Florida Congressional Delegation, former United States District 
Court judge, first African American elected to Congress from Florida 
since Reconstruction, vice chair of the Committee on Rules, and former 
member of the Intelligence Committee, chairman of the Helsinki 
Commission, Member of Congress for 28 years, mentor, beloved colleague, 
and dear friend.

[[Page H2037]]

  Madam Speaker, tonight, with humility, gratitude and a broken heart, 
I rise to anchor this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order in 
remembrance of Congressman Alcee Hastings, a senior member of the 
Committee on Rules, a man who traveled the world. Most of all, he loved 
his family, he loved his country, he loved his State of Florida, loved 
his friends and his colleagues. We humble ourselves today to honor him.
  Madam Speaker, I will reserve my words and tribute so that I can 
acknowledge one of his dear friends, the Honorable Bennie Thompson. 
Bennie Thompson, the chair of the Homeland Security Committee, a 
distinguished gentleman from Mississippi, a fighter for justice 
himself, but as well, the opportunity to be able to lead this country 
into safety.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. 
Thompson), and if I might say, the gentleman with the white jacket as a 
member of the great Divine Nine, the Kappas.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the 
gentlewoman allowing me to talk about my friend, Alcee Hastings.
  Madam Speaker, Alcee Hastings to a lot of us, is what we call a 
Renaissance man. When you knew Alcee, you knew somebody who knew 
exactly what he was talking about at all times. I carried Alcee 
Hastings to the Second District of Mississippi a number of times. You 
know, for a Florida boy, he could have been a Mississippi boy. He knew 
Bobby Rush, the blues singer. He knew how to go to catfish fries. He 
could just about adapt to any situation. But Alcee Hastings, more 
importantly, provided significant direction and guidance to a number of 
us who came to this body.
  Madam Speaker, so today I rise to pay a special tribute to a close 
and dear friend that I shared many memories with: The Honorable 
Congressman Alcee Hastings.
  Alcee was a champion civil rights legend, who served the people of 
Florida and this country for over 28 years as a Member of Congress. He 
dedicated his life to uplifting and empowering his constituents, 
colleagues, and our Nation. All of us have at least one Alcee Hastings 
story. Some of us have two or three or more Alcee Hastings stories, and 
they all are memorable.
  All through my district, he was one of those individuals who people 
wanted to know what was Alcee Hastings like. And the only thing I can 
tell you is you have to meet him because you really can't describe him. 
The dictionary doesn't provide enough adjectives to give you who he is, 
but that is the kind of person Alcee Hastings was.
  To Patricia and the kids: We all miss him. Absolutely, I know that 
all of you will miss him, too.
  You know, I wonder what Alcee would be saying to us right now. I have 
a good idea. And he probably would say: ``Look, I don't have time for 
all that noise. Get on with the business of helping our people.''
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those words 
of reminding us how forthright and direct Alcee Hastings was.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), 
distinguished majority leader of the House, who gave an eloquent 
portrayal this morning at our celebration service of his relationship 
with Congressman Hastings and his understanding of Congressman 
Hastings' contribution and value to all of us.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and 
for her service. I thank Chairwoman Beatty and members of the 
Congressional Black Caucus for organizing this Special Order tonight.
  Madam Speaker, Alcee Hastings was a dear friend, a close friend, a 
wonderful supporter, adviser, counselor, a friend who will be greatly 
missed not only by me, but by so many with whom he served on both sides 
of the aisle.
  Madam Speaker, he and I served together in this House for 28 years, 
almost three decades. Over the course of that time, I came to know him 
very well. I visited his district. I know his wife. I saw his passion 
for public service, his sharp intellect and ability as a legislator, 
and his kindness and decency as a human being.

                              {time}  1900

  Alcee was someone who held strong convictions, as all of us know, and 
he would impart those to you, and he fought hard for what he believed 
in. One of those convictions was that all people on this Earth deserve 
the same basic freedoms and access to democracy as Americans are 
privileged to enjoy.
  Madam Speaker, he and I served together on the U.S. Commission on 
Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Alcee later served as its 
chairman, as I once did. He was the first African American to lead that 
body. And he was also honored, Madam Speaker, by legislators from 57 
different nations when he was chosen as president of the Organization 
on Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly. The 
only American, the only African American, obviously, to have had that 
honor, and the only person of African descent to have that honor.
  Before the pandemic, Alcee traveled the world to promote democracy 
and human rights where they were newly enjoyed or not yet achieved. 
Wherever he went, he brought his deep commitment to constitutionalism, 
rule of law, equality, justice, and opportunity for all.
  In doing so, he was an excellent envoy of this House of 
Representatives, the people's House, and the democratic mission it 
embodies to the nations of the world.
  I want to take a moment to speak about a part of Alcee's life that 
shows his true character. It is no secret that Alcee faced difficult 
and painful rebuke earlier in his career. I am not going to go into the 
specifics. Most people know the outlines.
  But what stands out, Madam Speaker, for me and for others more than 
anything about what happened is that most people, after having been 
through such an experience, might have turned away from public service 
and harbored a debilitating anger and self-pity. Not our friend Alcee 
Hastings.
  He was determined to continue giving back and serving his State and 
his country. So he ran for Congress and received the imprimatur of his 
neighbors and friends and constituents as a person of great worth whom 
they wanted to represent them. He served his constituents faithfully 
and with great ability for 28 years and, indeed, prior to that as well.
  Those he served and those with whom he served are grateful that he 
made that choice. We are grateful that he persisted and persevered. And 
we are so fortunate, Madam Speaker, to have been blessed in our own 
lives by the wonderful life of service and contributions by Alcee 
Hastings.
  I join others in offering my condolences to his wife, Patricia; to 
his family; to his devoted staff; and to the communities of southern 
Florida he represented so skillfully in this House.
  Another Representative of southern Florida, my dear friend, Debbie 
Wasserman Schultz, will be relating from her personal experience 
serving with him from southern Florida the extraordinary impact that he 
had on Florida and that region.
  Madam Speaker, I spoke this morning at a memorial service led, again, 
by the Congressional Black Caucus for Alcee, and I related the story 
that a few days before his death, I had called Patricia and talked to 
her about how Alcee was doing, and she said: Not well.
  Two days later, I called her back. It was probably 7 o'clock, about 
this time, in the evening. I said: How are things?
  She said: Not good.
  I said: Can I talk to him?
  She said: I don't think he will understand you and I don't think he 
will be able to respond, but I will put the phone to his ear and you 
can say something to him.
  She did that, and I said a few words very briefly, and then I closed 
with the sentiment that I have today and that I had for most of the 
time that I had known him. I said to him: I love you, Alcee.
  I said this morning that I don't know whether he could hear or 
understand what I said at that point in time, but the good news for me 
is I knew that he knew that I loved him. He was a man of great worth, 
of great feelings, of great expectations, of great service, of great 
vision. I will miss Alcee, my friend.
  May Alcee's memory be a blessing and inspiration to us as we continue 
to work here in this institution that he loved and served so well.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the majority leader for that

[[Page H2038]]

personal tribute of the bond of love between his friend, Alcee 
Hastings, and himself. I thank him for that story and tribute.
  Madam Speaker, it is now an honor to yield to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the co-chair of the Florida 
delegation, the cardinal of the Appropriations Committee, but I think 
this evening what she would most want to be known as, certainly a 
mentee of earlier years, but a very dear friend of Congressman Alcee 
Hastings.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor one of the 
foremost fighters for justice Florida has ever known, Congressman Alcee 
Hastings.
  Throughout my public service, I have been proud to be associated with 
and stand alongside this fierce but gentle and courageous statesman. 
The shadow he casts in my own political life is long. It started at the 
University of Florida, when I ran for Student Senate side by side with 
his son, Alcee ``Jody'' Hastings, II. Twenty years later, I had the 
honor and pleasure of serving alongside his father, a man who was my 
dear friend and mentor.
  Alcee revered this institution, and he loved his 20th District, from 
Belle Glade to Broward, and the Sawgrass to Sistrunk. Anyone who knew 
him knew he was Florida through and through, and he brought that to 
these Halls of power. He valued every part of the cultural and ethnic 
mosaic that enriches our great State, and he contributed to that 
throughout his life.
  With his passing, his constituents lost a brilliant, fearless, and 
giant-hearted advocate for the community he so dearly loved. Our folks 
back home will miss their ``on his mind, on his tongue,'' firebrand 
voice in these Halls of power.
  The common refrain among anyone unfortunate enough to follow Alcee 
Hastings on a speaking program was: Well, this is the last place on a 
program you want to be.
  He was a powerful, impactful orator. Here in Congress, as you all 
know too well, each of us lost a wise, patient, and humane statesman; 
and our delegation lost a seasoned, thoughtful, forceful leader.
  Personally, I lost a treasured friend and trusted teacher. I can't 
count the times I leaned on him for his honest, perceptive counsel. 
Even when I didn't know I needed that advice, Alcee did, and he 
provided it generously. Afterwards, I was always grateful for his words 
of wisdom.
  Alcee Hastings devoted his life to righting the world's wrong. He 
championed the most vulnerable, and he himself knew what it meant to 
overcome. He fought for human rights at home and abroad. Alcee was a 
champion of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and a steadfast friend to the 
Jewish community. He knew that Jews and African Americans were much 
more alike than we were different, and we often joked about the 
similarities.
  Years ago, as police brutality stretched the fabric holding our 
community together, he and I joined together to ensure that law 
enforcement and our people would be able to pledge to protect one 
another and had a safe forum to communicate.
  When it came to protecting the world's most unique tropical wetlands, 
Alcee always spearheaded our Everglades restoration efforts. In just 
the last month, he led the delegation in a letter to the President 
advocating for record-level funding. Even on battles dearer to me, he 
poured his own heart in it.
  Alcee was one of my most fierce allies in battling breast cancer. 
These last 10 months, I spoke to him almost every day. It was an honor 
to cast his proxy vote. Good days or bad, he made sure he personally 
told me his vote preferences. Some days he might say in his Alcee kind 
of way: Why are we even voting on this?
  And I left out some of the choicer words.
  I cherished catching up with him every opportunity. Other days, he 
would just share his vote, and that call would end far too quickly. No 
matter how he felt, he always ended those calls by saying: ``Debbie, 
thank you for this.''
  He was always gracious, always grateful. But it was I who was 
grateful for the gift of this man.
  I was also so proud to swear him into this 117th Congress. He took 
what he must have known was his final oath with such pride, dignity, 
and authority.
  In our last conversation, he told me he was at peace.
  And why shouldn't he be?
  He rose from a young man in the orange groves of the segregated South 
to become the first African-American Federal jurist in Florida and part 
of a historic 1992 class of the United States Congress. His political 
life took him as far off as the Parliamentary Assembly in Europe.
  Congressman Hastings did it his way, and he leaves an immense 
personal and political legacy, both in these Halls and in our hearts. I 
know that I and this hallowed body are better off from having been in 
Alcee's midst. And that lasting impression he left behind, we will 
always carry with us. May his memory be for a blessing.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, it is certainly a privilege as well.
  I thank Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for the personal stories she 
has shared with us, and her friendship.
  Madam Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Bishop), known as an expert on all things agricultural; a 
civil rights leader; as well in this place, in this House, a cardinal 
himself. But I believe what he will share with us tonight is a personal 
relationship with Congressman Alcee Hastings, a Kappa. And, yes, 
Congressman Bishop is a Kappa.
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding.
  Shakespeare wrote: All the world is a stage. And all the men and 
women, merely players. Each has his entrance and his exit. One man in 
his time may play many parts.
  So it was with our beloved Alcee Hastings. He was a son, father, 
grandfather, husband, civil rights activist, attorney, judge, Member of 
Congress, international parliamentarian, colleague, my brother in Kappa 
Alpha Psi fraternity, a faithful friend, and a fearless foe.
  His performance in each of these roles was always par excellence. His 
was a life well-lived. He was authentic, brutally frank, but always a 
powerful advocate for marginalized humanity. He did so much for so many 
for so long. We will miss him, but the world is a better place because 
of the life of Alcee Lamar Hastings.
  My wife, Vivian, and I send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, 
Patricia, his other family, his staff, and all who mourn his loss.

                              {time}  1915

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Bishop for 
letting us know that the world is a better place because of Alcee 
Hastings.
  Now it is my privilege again to introduce another of Congressman 
Hastings' dear, dear friends, the chairwoman of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee as well as a proud member of the Divine Nine and a 
great Texan.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson).
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I simply cannot eulogize the 
life and legacy of Congressman Hastings every single minute, but I will 
try my best.
  Alcee and I came to Congress together in the class of 1992, and 
almost instantly I knew that I was in the presence of a giant.
  Our class doubled the size of the CBC.
  Alcee let everyone know that he came from humble beginnings. But I 
can say this: he carved for himself a path to success first in the 
field of law and ultimately in Congress.
  As many have already noted, he was a man of sharp words, and perhaps 
sharp is an understatement.
  Who could forget his infamous declaration that Texas is a crazy 
State?
  We shared so many laughs and quiet whispers. A story that many may 
not know is that I convinced him to come to Texas and speak in our 
crazy State, to which he responded, ``Y'all may want to hear me speak 
now, but after I'm done, you won't ever invite me back.''
  Well, it was colorful.
  Alcee and I cofounded the Congressional Homeless Caucus and served as 
co-chairs together until his passing. Because of his tireless advocacy 
on behalf of the homeless, more constituents in his district and mine 
and across the

[[Page H2039]]

country now sleep with a roof above their heads.
  His wife and I were close, and we shared many social occasions 
together.
  So I say: So long my dear friend, rest in peace. And kudos from the 
30th District of Texas based in Dallas.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas 
for her recognition of Alcee's complimentary words about Texas, but he 
was still our friend. I thank Congresswoman Johnson for that tribute.
  Again, this is a very special tribute, and I might say special, 
special tribute to our friend, the late Alcee Lamar Hastings.
  To provide another tribute is one of our members of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, a member of the leadership of the cochair of the 
Democratic Policy and Steering Committee, a cardinal on the 
Appropriations Committee, and it is known that often people say: 
Barbara Lee speaks for me.
  The Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee is from California, a State 
that loves Texas as well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jackson 
Lee for yielding. I also was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, so I 
thank my sister.
  Let me say tonight that I rise to celebrate the remarkable life of 
our dear friend, a dedicated public servant and a warrior for justice, 
the Honorable--he truly was the Honorable--Alcee Hastings.
  I thank Congresswoman Beatty for organizing this Special Order to 
honor our friend this evening.
  I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Congressman Hastings' 
family; his wife, Patricia; his staff; all of his loved ones; his 
children; and his grandchildren. I know that this loss is deeply felt, 
and I am praying for the Hastings family and also for his constituents 
whom I had the honor to meet during my visits to his district.
  Congressman Hastings was a trailblazer, and he lived a life of firsts 
as the first African-American Federal judge appointed to the State of 
Florida and the first African American to lead the Helsinki Commission.
  I have had the privilege to travel with Alcee to Europe several times 
and to work with him to establish a transatlantic dialogue to improve 
social and political inclusion of people of African descent in Europe 
and the United States. This was a visionary idea that Congressman 
Hastings wanted to see happen in his lifetime, and he has made so much 
progress toward achieving that goal and his dream.
  Alcee's political and diplomatic acumen was strengthened by his very 
warm and caring spirit. Many may not be aware, but while he was 
fighting the fight for human rights and democracy, he was also a 
devoted caregiver to his ailing mother. When I was struggling with the 
health challenges of my own beloved mother, he was there to offer 
comfort and guidance. He made me realize how blessed I was to be able 
to take care of her during her last years on Earth. For that I will be 
deeply grateful.
  When I first met Judge Hastings back in the 1980s, even before I was 
an elected official, I knew I had met someone special. He gave me his 
honest opinion and offered guidance without hesitation even before I 
was elected to office.
  Despite his no-nonsense attitude and direct nature, myself, like all 
of us, had our own inside jokes. He called me Bob. I loved his socks--
like so many of us--so much so that he gave me six pairs for my 
birthday. They are my Alcee socks which I will always cherish and wear.
  Congressman Hastings always supported and guided me when I presented 
my bills to the Rules Committee, and he encouraged me by always saying: 
``I'm with you, Bob. I'm with you, Bob.'' Even if he disagreed with my 
progressive bills, he would say: ``I'm with you, Bob. I'm with you, 
Bob. We are going to get this out.''
  He taught me some colorful words to use during very challenging 
times.
  I feel beyond blessed to have known Alcee Hastings. His loss will be 
felt not only in Florida, in his district, throughout the country and 
here in Washington, D.C., but also around the world. He was truly a 
beloved and brilliant world leader.

  I am reminded of 2 Timothy 4:7. I am reminded of Alcee tonight as I 
think about and read this Scripture: ``I have fought the good fight, I 
have finished the race, I have kept the faith.''
  Yes, our brother, our friend, our colleague, our warrior for justice 
and for peace fought the good fight, and now may he rest in peace and 
may he rest in power.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jackson Lee for yielding and for 
this Special Order tonight.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. We will be reminded of those colorful socks. That 
was his trademark, and that is very special. This is a special tribute 
to Congressman Alcee Hastings.
  Our next tribute presenter is Gwen Moore from the great State of 
Wisconsin. Gwen Moore has been a fighter for the vulnerable and serves 
on the distinguished and powerful Ways and Means Committee. I thank my 
colleague and friend on the Helsinki Commission.
  Madam Speaker, may I ask how much time I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Texas has 25 minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).
  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
Texas for yielding, and I want to thank the chairwoman of the 
Congressional Black Caucus for pulling this all together.
  I am Gwen Moore from the great State of Wisconsin, and I was first 
elected in 2005. I was so excited about becoming a Member of Congress 
and especially excited about becoming a member of the Congressional 
Black Caucus.
  Every year the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosts a great 
gala, and I was eager in September of 2005 to march across the stage 
with the likes of John Lewis, Barbara Lee, and Maxine Waters with my 
brand new classmates, Cleaver, G.K. Butterfield, Al Green, and Senator 
Obama. I was ready for the pageantry. All my relatives were coming to 
see me curtsy in my African outfit made with red and gold African 
wedding cloth. But then I learned that all but one member of the 
Congressional Black Caucus would suit up. Then when I discovered that, 
I commissioned myself to implore him not to ruin the evening with his 
recalcitrance.
  Mr. Alcee Lamar Hastings' prompt and declarative declination was 
peppered with his famous street vernacular. Even though he was 
disinterested in the pomp and ceremony of the CBCF gala, he attended 
CBC meetings regularly. His excellent judgment, powers of discernment, 
and strategic thinking silenced the room every time and had Members on 
the edge of their seats as he weighed in on tactics and strategy.
  I wondered: Where in the world did this man get his confidence that 
he exhibited on a daily basis?
  Where did he get the courage?
  His swagger was more than just his socks and his tie. There was 
something that I wanted to know about him.
  Well, fortunately for me, Mr. Hastings drew me in as a mentee. He was 
familiar with my legislative agenda around equity and justice for women 
and people of color. So he invited me to accompany him in 2006 to the 
annual session of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
Europe, held in Brussels that year, wherein he was serving his third 
term as parliamentary assembly president of the Organization for 
Security and Co-operation in Europe.
  He was first elected in 2004. You have heard from other speakers, 
Madam Speaker, that this is an international organization of 57 member 
countries, and he is the only person of African descent to ever hold 
this position and he is the only American to ever hold this position. 
He would have to whip and get votes and everything, and Alcee did that.
  When I saw him, I was stunned to witness on this international stage 
the mastery of his indefatigable leadership. He commandeered the agenda 
on human rights to take a deeper dive into minority rights, and not 
just Black versus White, but Jews and other ethnic minorities, gypsies, 
women, and migrants.
  In fact, under his leadership the OSCE broadened its mandate to 
address human rights to include intolerance, migration, and organized 
crime.

[[Page H2040]]

  The global consensus around the plight of Blacks at the hands of 
police was a topic of this international body. Indeed, I learned that 
racial oppression was global, and Alcee shepherded this international 
body through dozens and dozens of resolutions around global racial 
equity.
  I was hooked. I went with Alcee every time. What I found is that 
language was not a barrier, culture was not a barrier, and even 
adversarial relationships with people like the Russians or some of the 
other known dictators who attended the meetings did not prevent him 
from engaging them in side meetings to advance the international 
dialogue.
  Because of my association with Mr. Hastings, I have met around 300 
parliamentarians of African descent in Europe, Spain, Italy, Germany, 
Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada just to name a 
few.
  The last trip I took with Mr. Hastings--we all knew it was his last 
trip--we went to London, and we gathered in a circle with 
parliamentarians from Britain. We talked about the historic 
relationship of the United States and Britain, and indeed that same 
connection that Barbara Lee referred to, he made us promise to continue 
the Atlantic engagement with our brethren. We have to keep that promise 
to him because he gave birth to those relationships over 30 years.

                              {time}  1930

  Do you know what? I figured out where he got his swagger from. He was 
not concerned with little things and petty things, what people thought, 
and pomp and circumstance.
  He was a universal human rights leader. When I thought about him, I 
don't know why I thought of this song that I first heard Sarah Vaughan 
singing. But some of the lyrics in ``Universal Prisoner'' were:

     Most people go around thinking they're free
     Believing it's an easy way to be
     They run in guilt and fear
     From all the things they truly hold dear
     The question is asked, do you give the love that is inside
     Or do you run to the phony world where most people hide?

  Mr. Hastings embodied the universal precepts of equality, equity, and 
justice. He was a true humanitarian.
  Enjoy your flight into the universe, Mr. Hastings.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin for her kind words. Those were memorable times, and the 
historic nature of his leadership was not only national; it was 
international.
  I am privileged again in this very special tribute to be able to 
yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia. States are quite close to each 
other, and of course, her passion matches the deep passion of 
Congressman Alcee Hastings. That is the obvious reason for her kinship 
to Congressman Hastings, but also the ability to have suffered in loss 
but stand up to fight for justice, and that is our friend and 
colleague, Lucy McBath, from Georgia.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).
  Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for 
yielding to me.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in celebration of the remarkable life of our 
dear friend and colleague, Congressman Alcee Hastings, known 
affectionately as The Judge. People called him that long before I got 
here. He was the first African-American Federal judge in the State of 
Florida, appointed by President Jimmy Carter, where he served for 10 
years before being elected to Congress in 1992.
  I know that a lot of my colleagues and persons in this great Chamber 
tonight might wonder what kind of a relationship I would have had with 
Alcee Hastings. I would have only been here for 2 years. But what I do 
know is that I recognize Alcee truly from his spirit.
  He and I both had cancer. I was a cancer survivor, and oftentimes, 
here on the floor, every single day, I would come to his side and sit 
next to him, and I would say: ``How are you doing today?''
  He would say: ``Not so good today,'' or he would say: ``Today is a 
great day.''
  But I remember his kindness, and I remember his words of wisdom to 
me, always telling me: ``You are doing the right thing. You are 
standing up. Stay strong. Look forward.''
  I am really grateful for even that 1 year that I had to stand and to 
serve with a giant such as Alcee Hastings.
  Alcee and I were both very proud to serve in the House together as 
fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus. We talked about it, 
and oftentimes, I said to him: ``I still can't believe I am here. I 
cannot believe I am here, but I am so grateful to be here to serve with 
you.''
  As I said, we were also bonded over our shared kinship as cancer 
patients because I understood what he was going through. I understood 
the treatment and the pain and the suffering. But what I admired about 
him the most is his tenacity, his strength, and his fortitude to come 
here every single day in spite of it and to push his way through for 
the sake of this Chamber, for the sake of this body, for the sake of 
the people who he loved so dearly in his community.
  He offered me encouragement, telling me to stay the course and to 
continue to work on behalf of the American people. I remember he said 
to me: ``I may not be here when you pass that gun bill, but you must 
pass it.''
  I will always be grateful to him for his friendship and for the 
wisdom and leadership that he shared with this body and with me.
  I always find that I am so grateful to be in this body, to be among 
some of the most wise, intelligent, compassionate, and driven people I 
have ever met in my life, particularly those of the Congressional Black 
Caucus like Alcee Hastings, a giant among us.
  Madam Speaker, I am so grateful today to be able to stand here and 
pay reverence to him, the giant among us.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for that 
sense of kinship, with her tribute and a reference to his kindness and 
his wisdom.
  I hope everyone knows that we are telling a very special story this 
evening. To join us in that is a Floridian. I always like to pronounce 
it in a way that indicates the bonding of Floridians, but, certainly, 
Floridians of a certain kind, like Alcee Hastings with the 
distinguished former chief of police, Val Demings, a senior member of 
the Intelligence Committee, a member of the Judiciary Committee and 
Homeland Security Committee, and a Floridian with deep roots and a 
friend of Congressman Hastings.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings).
  Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Congressman Alcee Hastings.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``The ultimate measure of a 
man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but 
where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.''
  Madam Speaker, what we all know in this Chamber is that Congressman 
Alcee Hastings was never afraid to stand during times of challenge and 
controversy. You see, Congressman Hastings was born in central Florida 
in Altamonte Springs. He was always so proud to share his stories with 
me about growing up in a city not far from the district I now 
represent.

  Alcee Hastings was a giant in our State, the dean of the delegation. 
When I think about what it meant for Alcee, being the dean was a lot 
more than being the longest serving Member.
  Alcee Hastings was a giant of a man in Florida, but he was a giant of 
a man around the Nation and a giant of a man in our world.
  As you have heard, he was the first Black person, period, man or 
woman, appointed as a Federal judge in Florida. We all know the joys 
and the pain of being a first and paving the way for others to follow, 
paving the way for other boys and girls and men and women, regardless 
of the color of their skin, paving the way for them as a first.
  I remembered that appointment. I was working at the Orlando Police 
Department, and I was so proud to know of this giant of a man who was 
appointed as the first Black man to serve as a Federal judge. We were 
all so proud of him.
  One of the things I most appreciated about Congressman Hastings, my 
colleague from Florida--and hear me clearly, there were many things 
that I loved and appreciated about him. But

[[Page H2041]]

one of the things was that he was big enough to share his space with 
you regardless of whether you were a freshman or you had been here for 
a considerable amount of time. Congressman Hastings never hesitated to 
share his space with you. He never hesitated to give advice. He never 
hesitated to mentor, and he genuinely wanted you to do well.
  Congressman Hastings was a true friend, and it didn't matter if he 
agreed with everything you said. He didn't have to. If you were his 
friend, he understood that friends didn't always agree on everything 
because, see, Alcee was his own man. We heard the song earlier today, 
and he did it his way.
  He was his own man with his own beliefs, his own principles. He 
allowed me to be my own woman with my own beliefs. He allowed all of 
us, in our respective places. That is the kind of man, the giant of a 
man, that he was.
  Congressman Hastings didn't waste a lot of time fighting over trivial 
matters. He was on a mission. He was fighting for justice. I really 
can't remember a time he was not fighting for justice. He didn't mind 
fighting for women's rights even after he had made it himself. He 
didn't mind fighting for equal rights. He didn't mind fighting for 
human rights. He didn't mind fighting for the LGBTQ community. He 
didn't mind standing up and fighting for people who were different from 
him.
  Congressman Hastings dedicated his life to fighting for a better 
Florida and, therefore, fighting for a better Nation.
  I say to my colleagues that if you were in a fight, you wanted 
Congressman Hastings on your side. Madam Speaker, as we know, someone 
will take his space, but I don't believe that anyone can ever take his 
place.
  I would like to close with just a short scripture from Psalm 56 that 
says: ``In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? I 
am under vows to You, O God; I will present my thank offerings to You. 
For You have delivered me from . . . stumbling, that I may walk before 
God in the light of life.''
  Congressman Hastings was not afraid, and we are forever grateful for 
his life well lived.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. We are truly grateful for his life.
  Madam Speaker, how much time is remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Texas has 4 minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I will bring this Special Order to a 
close, and I want to remind our colleagues of this very special Special 
Order led by Chairwoman Joyce Beatty. Then, we heard from Debbie 
Wasserman Schultz, Sanford Bishop, Bennie Thompson, Eddie Bernice 
Johnson, our Majority Leader Hoyer, Barbara Lee, and Gwen Moore. We 
heard from Lucy McBath and Val Demings, and we heard from others in 
their voices throughout the day and in their statements.

                              {time}  1945

  So let me try to summarize this life. This giant of a man was a 
Federal judge and a tireless fighter for justice and equality. He was 
the dean of the Florida delegation. He led an international 
organization never before led by an American, never before led by an 
African American.
  But let me tell you what I believe really meant something to Alcee's 
life. First, his beautiful wife, Patricia, and all of his family 
members who we pay tribute to for sharing him with us. But he was a 
Florida A&M man. He was a Fisk man. All over the country, I would hear 
Fiskites saying: ``Alcee Hastings went to Fisk.'' And Alcee Hastings 
would let you know he went Fisk University. He honored that university, 
and they honored him.
  As a member of the National Bar Association myself, that is where I 
got to know Alcee Hastings. Oh, as a little, small pip of a lawyer 
myself, I looked up to Alcee Hastings and the words that he would say. 
In his own organization, he would be a guest speaker, a civil rights 
lawyer, as well as a civil rights fighter.
  Yes, Alcee Hastings was born to a butler and a maid who left the 
South so that they could get money for him to go to school. And his dad 
said to him: ``Be your own boss.''
  As I said, he ultimately went on to law school. But he also sat at 
the sit-in counters: Walgreens, where the individuals put ketchup and 
smashed eggs on him. Oh, Alcee could have turned around with vengeance, 
but he understood the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that 
violence begets nothing, and he peacefully sat. But that didn't mean 
that he was going to allow them to get the best of Alcee Hastings.
  He went on to be a civil rights lawyer. He went on to file lawsuits 
and desegregate the schools and the Cat's Meow restaurant that he had 
gone to.
  Wasn't it poetic justice when he was named a circuit court judge and 
the investiture ceremony was at the high school that he had helped 
desegregate?
  Yes, he was a Federal judge. Yes, of course, he did great things. He 
stopped the deportation of 76 Haitians, when they thought they were 
gone.
  Then, in 1992, he made history again, becoming one of the first 
African Americans coming up to this great body from Florida since 
Reconstruction, joining Corrine Brown and Carrie Meek.
  The Helsinki Commission was a special love for him. Can you imagine 
an international organization led for the first time--they had to vote 
for him. And that was a place where they raised up the issue of 
slavery. They raised up reparations. They raised up human rights. They 
raised up stopping hatred around the world. Alcee set that tone.
  Then, of course, he continued to counsel, even in these times. I 
would come to him. Lucy McBath reminded me, as a cancer survivor, you 
would always check on him. But I tell you, he would walk in with those 
socks and those suits, and he would be having a pep in his step.
  But let me leave you with this: Continuing to do nothing in the face 
of continued threats to our people and our way of life is hardly what 
America elected us to do.
  So as I close, let me simply say: Deepest sympathy. But let me remind 
his family that those who die in the Lord--and I paraphrase--they will, 
in fact, rest from their labor, but their deeds will follow them. Alcee 
Hastings' deeds will follow him. A tribute to America, a Floridian, a 
son, and a great man, both of this Nation and as a freedom fighter.


                             General Leave

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special 
Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________