The Honorable Alcee L. Hastings, J.D. 1936–2021 U.S. Congressman, 59 th Laurel Wreath Laureate, Federal Judge, Civil Rights Lawyer
By Aaron Williams
C ongressman Alcee L. Hast- ings (D-FL), the 59 th Laurel Wreath Laureate, served his congressional constituents in the Broward and Palm Beach counties for over a quarter-century. Hastings champi- oned civil rights, support for the home- less, women's rights, racial justice, access to affordable health care and was an outspoken force to his political opposition during his time on Capitol Hill. He was also known for his expertise in foreign policy and administrative, legislative rules within Congress. U.S. Representative, the Honorable Alcee L. Hastings, the 59 th Laurel Wreath Laureate, entered the Chapter Invisible at 84 on April 6, 2021, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The Hastings family statement after the announcement of Brother Hastings's passing, "He lived a life of triumph over adversity, and his brilliance and compas- sion was felt amongst his constituents, colleagues, the nation and world.
Newkirk Jr. on Fisk alumnus Hastings, "The loss of Congressman Hastings is a loss to many communities across the nation, including the Fisk community. Congressman Hastings was not only a fierce fighter for civil rights and racial justice but dedicated his life to helping others and his community, his powerful legacy will live on forever." The 46 th President of the United States, Joseph Biden on "Hastings was a trail- blazing lawyer who grew up in the Jim Crow South and was outspoken because he was passionate about helping our na- tion live up to its promise for all Ameri- cans. Across his long career of public service, Alcee always stood up to fight for equality, and always showed up for the working people he represented. And even in his final battle with cancer, he simply never gave up." The Fraternity statement, "Although Brother Hastings has transitioned to the Chapter Invisible, his lasting contribu- tions and leadership in Congress helped make the United States a better and
fairer place to live, work and retire for all Americans. He was a very proud Kappa man who will be missed, but he will never be forgotten." Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) (Mu Kappa 1989) "Rep. Alcee Hastings has departed us for that great assembly in Heaven. He taught me a lot about public service and life. Rep. Hastings loved the people he served and championed the plight of the least, the lost and the left behind. May he forever Rest in Power." The son of Mildred L. (née Merritt) and Julius "J. C." Hastings, Alcee Lamar Hastings was born in Altamonte Springs, FL, on September 5th, 1936. He gradu- ated from Crooms Academy in Sanford, FL, in 1953 and graduated from historic Fisk University in 1958 with a B.S. de- gree. Hastings did graduate work in zool- ogy at Howard University and attended its Law School. He later transferred to Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL, where he earned a J.D. degree and passed the bar exam in 1963.
Fisk University President Dr. Vann
58 | SPRING 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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