Alcee Hastings
Alcee Hastings
Alcee Lamar Hastingsis the U.S. Representative for Florida's 20th congressional district, serving in Congress since 1993. The district, numbered as the 23rd District from 1993 to 2013, includes most of the majority-black precincts in and around Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He served as a judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida from 1979, until his impeachment and removal from that post in 1989...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth5 September 1936
CityAltamonte Springs, FL
CountryUnited States of America
I am convinced that religious and spiritual understanding plays a positive role in facilitating trust and overcoming political differences.
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned that many regions of this world are suffering from the effects of armed conflicts with religious aspects. I believe that the differences of faith are not the real reason for these conflicts.
While few religious leaders and scholars would doubt the commonalities that exist among the various religious groups, the followers of these religions unfortunately struggle in their effort to peacefully coexist.
Given the fact that most religions share basic values, it is most unfortunate that religious people can be played off against each other so easily. One possible reason for this may be that people do not know enough about other people's beliefs.
Moreover, I want us to urge political and religious leaders, and all peoples of the world, to move forward in a conciliatory spirit, to deal with religious matters in a responsible and balanced way, and to focus on their common grounds.
Usually, it is not my habit to address religious issues on the floor. I strongly believe in a person's right to religious freedom, as well as the separation of church and state.
As a matter of fact, religious differences are actually exploited to convince people to participate in primarily political conflicts.
These elections can only be described as free and fair.
Beyond the court-sanctioned injustices that we experienced in Florida, let's face it: Vice President Al Gore won this election, ... The American people are looking to us not only for public outrage, but also for leadership. In this case, leadership calls for courage.
Continuing to do nothing in the face of continued threats to our people and our way of life is hardly what the American people elected us to do.
The absence of clear and consistent regulations... will undoubtedly lead to further confusion and unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses to cities and counties in Florida and throughout the country.
because of the overwhelming evidence of official misconduct, deliberate fraud, and an attempt to suppress voter turnout by unlawful means. I felt the necessity, as do my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus and other members of the House of Representatives, to object to the kinds of errors against democracy ... that were permitted in the state of Florida.
Nothing in our intelligence suggests that Iraq is ready to attack Washington or Fort Lauderdale,
Maybe he'll go back to Washington where he's supposed to be.