Longtime Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings Dies At 84

Source: Congressional Quarterly / Getty

Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida has died after a years long battle with cancer according to his chief of staff Lale M. Morrison who confirmed the news with CNN on Tuesday. He was 84 years old.

News of Hastings’ death was first reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings,” Bernard said during a moment of silence before the start of Tuesday’s commission meeting. “Congressman Hastings was a dedicated public servant and leader. We are very thankful for his service and contributions to Palm Beach County and all of the residents of Palm Beach County and the 20th congressional district.”

Hastings lived a life of controversy and redemption, appointed as the state’s first Black federal judge by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979. 10 years later Hastings was removed from the bench by the Senate after he was impeached on corruption charges, even though he was acquitted through a criminal trial.

Hastings appeared again in the political sphere in 1992, becoming Florida’s first Black congressman since after the Civil War. Hastings went on to be reelected 14 times.

In Congress however, he faced more accusations of misconduct when he was accused of sexual harassment and nepotism.

Hastings was one of Florida’s most senior members in Congress and represented majority Black communities outside of Miami for almost three decades. As a lawmaker, Hastings was known for speaking what was on his mind. He was a progressive who pushed for affordable day care, universal heath care, family and medical leave and also was a huge advocate for banning assault weapons.

Hastings scaled down his appearances after finding out he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2018. In Congress he served as Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

He began his career as a civil rights lawyer in the south, defending Black people who were denied food service over the color of their skin, and leading the charge to desegregate schools.

Hastings attended Fisk University, a historically Black college for undergrad and continued his education at “The Mecca,” Howard University. He eventually finished law school at another HBCU, Florida A&M, in 1963.

Hastings received a bachelor’s degree in 1958 from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., one of the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) whose students played a major role in the civil rights movement of the mid-20th Century.

Due to Hastings’ death, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will determine when a special election will be held to fill his seat. The vacancy means House Democrats maintain a slim majority margin over the GOP, with 218-211.

“While we mourn the loss of our brother, his life and legacy will continue to be a part of our power and our message, and will serve as a motivation for those who will follow in his footsteps – as leaders, fighters and advocates who represent the best of what our nation has to offer,” CBC Chairwoman Joyce Beatty said in a statement obtained by NewsOne.

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