Alcee L. Hastings represents his native state of Florida by serving as Congressman for District 23, which includes parts of Broward, Palm Beach, Hendry, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties. Congressman Hastings was first elected in 1992 and most recently reelected in 2002, capturing 77% of the vote. Born in Altamonte Springs, he attended Florida's public schools, and graduated from Fisk University in 1958. He earned his law degree from Florida A&M; University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Known to many as "Judge," Congressman Hastings has distinguished himself as an attorney, civil rights activist, judge, and now Member of Congress. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, he became the first African-American Federal Judge in the state of Florida, and served in that position for ten years. Since his election to Congress as the first African-American from Florida since the Civil War period, Congressman Hastings has been an outspoken advocate for making our country safer and more secure; ensuring that our election systems are easier and more fair; creating tax incentives for small businesses; expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit; providing job training and reeducation for displaced workers; banning assault weapons; funding Head Start and education programs; making Social Security an independent agency; and providing family and medical leave to all workers. Known throughout the world as an expert in foreign policy, Hastings has introduced legislation advocating diplomacy before military action to settle disputes with established and emerging nations. Throughout his lifetime, Congressman Hastings has championed the rights of minorities, women, the elderly, children and immigrants.

Congressman Hastings is a member of the powerful House Rules Committee and is a senior Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). On the HPSCI, Hastings is the Ranking Democratic Member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security. The Terrorism Subcommittee is the primary committee in Congress which has direct oversight of the programs and activities of the intelligence community that relate to U.S. homeland security and to counterterrorism, including capabilities, resources, policies and procedures.

As a Senior Democratic Whip, Hastings is an influential member of the Democratic Leadership. The Congressman also serves as one of only four House Democrats on the U.S. Helsinki Commission. Working closely with his Florida colleagues, Hastings is Vice Chair of the Florida Delegation. Having distinguished himself in international affairs, Congressman Hastings was chosen to represent the U.S. Congress in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, where he serves as Vice President. More recently, Hastings served as Vice Chairman of the Democratic Select Committee on Election Reform.

Congressman Hastings' honors are too numerous to name, and they come from all over the country and the world. His philosophy is simple when it comes to governing: he firmly believes that progress and change can be achieved through mutual respect and appreciation; on the ability of individuals and communities to see beyond the limits of parochialism; and on the ability of nations to better understand each other.

• To view a video greeting from Congressman Hastings, click here.
• To read the text of Congressman Hastings' video greeting, click here.