[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5486-5487]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DANIEL B. HASTINGS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2013

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of 
the late Daniel B. Hastings, Jr. of Laredo, Texas--a well-known, local 
businessman and philanthropist.
  Daniel B. Hastings was born January 8, 1948 in Laredo, Texas to 
Daniel and Irma M. Hastings. Daniel Jr., was the third child and only 
son among the couple's five daughters. Daniel graduated from Martin 
High School in 1965, and continued his education at Laredo

[[Page 5487]]

Junior College and later received his B.S. degree in chemistry with 
minors in both math and physics from Texas State University (formerly 
then, Southwest Texas State University).
  At the young age of 13, Mr. Hastings, Jr. began working in Laredo for 
the U.S. customs brokerage firm, Daniel B. Hastings, Inc. The company, 
established by his great-aunt, provided him and other members of the 
Hastings family a strong livelihood. It was not long until Daniel, Jr. 
moved up in ranks from running errands and performing warehouse duties 
to officially joining the firm as a partner in 1973. Seven years later, 
in 1980, he would follow his father's footsteps and assume ownership.
  Mr. Hastings has been highly regarded for having a strong network of 
personal, business, and religious relationships. His dedication and 
work ethic have earned him numerous awards for his contributions to 
business and educational development including the Laredo Chamber of 
Commerce Small Businessman of the Year (1989), Junior Achievement Hall 
of Fame (2001), Alumni Achievement Award from Texas State University 
(2010) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Border Champion Award 
(2012). As a founding member of the Laredo Community College Education 
Foundation and endowment fund Mr. Hastings' mission will continue to 
touch the lives of many.
  Mr. Hastings is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mrs. Gloria V. 
Montemayor Hastings; their loving children, Daniel B. Hastings III 
(Lucina), V. Nicole Hastings and David B. Hastings; and grandchildren 
Daniel B. Hastings IV and Dillon B. Hastings. A noble friend to the 
people of my district and hometown; there is no doubt that Mr. Hastings 
will be missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the opportunity to recognize 
the late Daniel B. Hastings, Jr. His hard work and generosity have 
truly impacted many lives and our community.

                          ____________________