Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after receiving the First Focus Campaign for Children’s “Defenders of Children” award. First Focus honors the top 100 Members of Congress every year for leadership on issues important to the education and development of our nation’s children. “I am proud to accept this year’s Defenders of Children award from the First Focus Campaign for Children. Issues affecting children are critical, and Congress must continue to act to redu...
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Today, Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Co-Chairs of the Florida Delegation, sent a letter to Governors Phil Bryant of Mississippi, Rick Scott of Florida, Robert J. Bentley of Alabama, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Nikki Haley of South Carolina, and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, expressing support for their federal lawsuit challenging the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to unilaterally raise flood insurance premiums before completing an affo...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement after reintroducing the National Commission on Employment and Economic Security Act. Joining him as original co-sponsors of the resolution were Representatives John Conyers Jr. (MI-13) and Barbara Lee (CA-13). (Please see a copy of the legislation attached). “I am pleased to reintroduce the National Commission on Employment and Economic Security Act, legislation that establishes a national commission to examine the issues of econo...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings made the following statement commemorating the life of Nelson Mandela: “Today, the world mourns the loss of a great leader, a Nobel laureate, and a champion of equality. A commanding advocate for equal rights and opportunities, Nelson Mandela led the charge against institutional racism and discrimination in South Africa, fighting apartheid and fostering an era of peace and reconciliation. Truly, the name Nelson Mandela has become synonymous with peace, justic...
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Today, Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent the following letter to Congressman Collin Peterson, Ranking Democratic Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, and Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, opposing additional cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the 2013 Farm Bill conference report. (Please see below and attached a copy of the letter). Joining Hastings and Johnson in signing ...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement in recognition of the 25th annual World AIDS Day: “Twenty-five years after observing the first World AIDS Day, we find ourselves at a turning point in the ongoing struggle against this devastating disease. On one hand, AIDS remains a significant public health challenge here at home and abroad. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 35.3 million people around the world are currently living with HIV, wit...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement recognizing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: “Today, nations all around the world are observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women remains a global pandemic, and seven out of every ten women worldwide will experience violence or abuse in their lifetime. “Up to two million people, 80 percent of whom are women, are trafficked annually and fo...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement in honor of National Adoption Day: “Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, thousands of families across the country finalize the adoptions of children in the foster care system. Since 2000, nearly 40,000 adoptions have taken place on National Adoption Day, and this year, the National Adoption Day Coalition expects 4,500 children to be formally adopted by the end of the day. “Today, I am especially proud to honor the t...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following remarks in observance of the 15th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, which were entered into the Congressional Record: “M. Speaker, I rise today in observance of the 15th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. “Fifteen years ago, the tragic murder of transgender musician Rita Hester in Boston offered our nation a glimpse into the daily struggle and injustice suffered by transgender Americans. In honor of her memory, transgender a...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after hosting a screening and discussion of The List. The film documents the efforts of Kirk Johnson, a former employee of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission in Iraq and founder of The List Project. Kirk Johnson and film Director Beth Murphy joined Congressman Hastings at the screening for a discussion of the Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa Program backlog. “The United States completed its mili...
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