April 6, 2021

Our community mentor, hero, voice for the voiceless, and civil rights giant is gone. When many discouraged me, Alcee Hastings encouraged me. Congressman Hastings’ unapologetic passion for his constituents was inspiring to me and so many others who have come behind. Alcee paved the way for me and so many others. He opened the doors and created so many possibilities for me and so many others in the Black community. Alcee’s relentless perseverance and how he never let setbacks deter him from helping those most in need are an inspiration to the next generation. We owe him a debt to continue to help others reach those heights.

Congressman Hastings was the collective community’s patriarch who governed with strength, care, fortification and an abundance of life stories. No one could tell a story or build up to the moral of a story like Congressmen Hastings — his punchlines were of epic and grand proportions. The sense of pride and satisfaction in his voice after the last election cycle when we made history — will forever be a memory that I will cherish. I hold our countless discussions near and dear to my heart because he would always leave me gems. Congressman Hastings last told me to “never forget who you are and to be unapologetic when doing what’s right.” In line with 2 Timothy 4:7-8 : “You  have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith.”

Contact: Paula McMahon, spokeswoman for the Broward State Attorney’s Office
mediarelations@sao17.state.fl.us or 954-831-7910
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