Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) participated in the 4th Annual Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day. He was shadowed by Ms. Ke’Onda Johnson of Riviera Beach, FL and made the following statement in regards to the experience: "It was a great honor to meet Ke’Onda and have the opportunity visit with her and hear her story. Supporting foster youth is a priority of mine. I always enjoy participating in the shadow day program. I believe that this program is mutually beneficial. The day gi...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement regarding the death of Cassandra and Catherine Colon in the 18 May Pahokee Fire: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the surviving family members of Cassandra and Catherine Colon. Words cannot express how sorry I am for this tragic loss and the injuries that were sustained by their mother. “I want to applaud and thank all of the first responders who worked so quickly to rescue the family from the fire. “Every family should have the...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement regarding the 50th Anniversary of the Head Start Program: “Investing in the education of our nation’s youth builds stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger nation. Since its inception, Head Start has served more than 32 million children and their families in urban and rural areas all over the country. “I am extremely proud of all the Head Start centers around the country that work with families to ensure they have t...
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Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) Co-Chairs of the Congressional Tunisia Caucus, released a joint statement on their amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016, expressing the sense of Congress that the United States assist and cooperate with the Republic of Tunisia as it combats the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings: “The United States must stand ready to a...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) reintroduced the Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act of 2015. The bill aims to support job growth for qualified wildlife and zoo veterinarians, as well as advance a robust public health policy across the country. (Please find attached a copy of the bill). “Wildlife and zoological veterinarians enhance global wildlife and public health through their involvement in conservation efforts, dissemination of important information on potential health t...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement regarding the train derailment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers and crew members who were on board the derailed Amtrak train last night. Words cannot express how sorry I am for those who lost loved ones and for those injured. “I want to applaud and thank all of the first responders and passengers who worked so quickly to bring medical attention to those in need. “I am encouraged by t...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) offered an amendment to H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, calling for additional funds to be directed to Jordanian border security and military activities. (Please find attached a copy of the amendment): “I am proud to have offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would provide an additional $25 million both to Jordanian border security efforts and enhanced military capability, r...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) introduced the Ending Corporal Punishment In Schools Act of 2015, which would end corporal punishment in our nation’s schools (Please find attached a copy of the legislation): "Corporal punishment is disproportionately used as a form of punishment for African American students and children with disabilities. Although it is currently banned in 31 states, on average about 838 students are hit each day in public schools and this must be stopped. "Schools are sup...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) will travel to Israel as the senior member of a bipartisan delegation from May 2 – 8, 2015. Hastings, who serves as the Ranking Democratic Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chair of the Democratic Israel Working Group (DIWG), plans to meet with Israeli and Palestinian government officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The delegation w...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Co-Chairmen of the Florida Congressional Delegation sent the following letter with Florida members to the Director of the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Richard Cordray. Please find below and attached a copy of the letter: April 28, 2015 The Honorable Richard Cordray Director United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 1700 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20552 Dear Director Cordray: We writ...
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