Congressman Alcee Hastings, after career of triumph, calamity and comeback, dies at 84

Alcee Lamar Hastings was a trailblazer throughout his career serving as Florida’s first Black federal judge and one of the first African Americans elected to Congress from Florida since the post-Civil War period. Judge Hastings graduated from Fisk University (C '58) and earned his law degree from Florida A&M University (C '63).  (James E. Clyburn @WhipClyburn)

Congressman Alcee Hastings, after career of triumph, calamity and comeback, dies at 84 https://t.co/xjWNERP6qg

— Dbandman (@Dbandman2) April 6, 2021

Al Lawson, Larry Robinson mourn Congressman Alcee Hastings, a FAMU Law grad https://t.co/oeOszQSVZZ

— Tallahassee Democrat (@TDOnline) April 6, 2021

Today Florida lost a committed public servant and the nation lost a passionate patriot.

We in the Congressional Black Caucus have lost a giant and I have lost a dear friend of more than 60 years.

— James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) April 6, 2021

For nearly three decades, he represented his constituents with dignity, grace and an unwavering commitment to the fight for justice.

I knew on the day we met as college students that he would make an indelible impact and I was right.

— James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) April 6, 2021

Alcee Hastings received a BS degree from @Fisk1866 and was one of the 57 original graduates of @FAMULaw in 1963. He was appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and became the first African-American federal judge in the state of Florida. We mourn his passing. https://t.co/hn2fYOaTBH

— Larry Robinson (@LRobinsonFAMU) April 6, 2021