Longtime Florida Congressman and Civil Rights activist Alcee Hastings passed away at the age of 84, according to his Chief of Staff. He was being treated for pancreatic cancer since January of 2019 and was planning on remaining in office while being treated. Representative Hastings began representing South Florida in 1993 and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and House Rules Committee.
The Black Caucus released a statement of Twitter calling him, “a fearless fighter for his District and a leading voice in the fight for civil and voting rights.”
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, the head of the House Democratic Campaign, called Hasting a trailblazer who dedicated his life to serving the people of South Florida.
Before becoming a congressman, he was appointed a Federal Judge in Florida by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, becoming the states first African American federal judge. He earned his law degree from Florida A&M University.
Rep. Hasting, however, did have controversy when he was impeached and removed from his position as a federal judge. He was charged with conspiracy and perjury.
“Florida has lost a brilliant, fearless, giant-hearted advocate for this state that he dearly loved, and Congress has lost a wise, patient and compassionate statesman." said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who also represents Florida.
Memorial Services have yet to be announced.
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