November 18, 2009: HIV/AIDS Community Discussion in Fort Lauderdale, FL On Friday, Mr. Jeffrey Crowley, director of the White House Office of National AIDS policy, will hold a discussion on HIV/AIDS at Dillard High School in my district. Mr. Crowley is the President’s lead advisor on HIV/AIDS policy and is responsible for coordinating disability and health policy issues for the Domestic Policy Council. Please find below details for the event: WHO: WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: REGISTRATION:
The passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act by the House on Saturday was an historic event for our nation, and an important step in insuring that health care is not simply a privilege for some, but a guaranteed right for all. This success, however, did not come without disappointments. Although the bill includes provisions that will expand access to affordable and high-quality care, the inclusion of the Stupak amendment restricts access to comprehensive women’s health services, and is a regressive departure from our nation’s long-standing policy on abortion. The Affordable Health Care for America Act should be a symbol of America’s progress and commitment to building a health care system that combats the inefficiency, exploitation and discrimination that prevented millions from receiving the care that they needed and deserved. It is unconscionable that we can preserve an individual’s right to choose their health care provider while eliminating a woman’s “right to choose” in the new Health Exchange. As we embark on the next chapter of health care reform, we must not dilute our fundamental principles that ensure health equity in the name of compromise. It is my sincere hope that my colleagues in the House and Senate will work together to deliver a bill to the American people that preserves what works while creating the foundation for us to meet our needs and goals in the 21st century.
Hastings Honors KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity, Inc. with Resolution that Passes House On Tuesday, October 13, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 392 to 0, a resolution that I introduced, H.Res.659. My resolution congratulated the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on 98 years of local community service and for enriching the lives of collegiate men throughout the nation. Ten distinguished African-American gentlemen had the vision to foster leadership through fraternal brotherhood and Christian ideals. These men were serious minded and had a determination to defy customs in pursuit of a college education and careers during an oppressive time in American history for African-Americans. As a result, on January 5, 1911, they founded the collegiate Greek-letter fraternity; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (KAΨ) on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Since its inception the brothers of KAΨ have fostered relentless support to our Nation’s communities. Through its Kappa League and National Guide Right programs, the fraternity has provided thousands of at-risk youth in communities throughout the nation with role models, mentors, and scholarships for higher education; which in return encourages our youth to make positive contributions to society through leadership roles. Kappa Alpha Psi holds its annual Holiday Food Drive to provide citizens of undeserving communities with food, clothing, and toys throughout the United States. The men of Kappa Alpha Psi volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis) though hands on partnership. On any given day you can see the notable accomplishments from my brotherhood in Congress, each day as members we strive to ensure that our brotherhood continues to exemplify achievement in every field of human endeavor. KAΨ sponsors events such as Kappas on Kapitol Hill to increase member awareness about the political process, as well as an undergraduate leadership institute to enhance the skills and abilities for the fraternity’s top student leaders. I am proud to be a part of such a distinguished brotherhood that continuously contributes to the improvement of society. Yielding a membership of 150,000 college trained men on more than 360 university campuses, with alumni chapters located in 347 cities, and having representation in 5 foreign nations. Again, I say congratulations to my brothers of KAΨ for their 98 years of serving local communities and enriching the lives of collegiate men throughout the Nation.
September 14, 2009: Hurricane Research Funding is Imperative We are in the peak of hurricane season, and I am reminded of the aftermath and devastation that our costal communities have suffered from the works of hurricanes Andrew, Ivan, Jeanne, and Katrina. People were unprepared and caught off-guard, because of these unfortunate circumstances. I believe it is about time that Congress pass legislation in support of hurricane research. Protecting our environment is crucial to the health of all Americans, and advancements in hurricane research will help lead the way. H.R. 327, the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2009, is a bill that I reintroduced this Congress with my colleague Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). This bill authorizes $2.35 billion in critical hurricane research funding to help scientists study and better understand how hurricanes form and intensify, as well as enhance early warning systems, infrastructure durability standards, and hurricane tracking and prediction capabilities. Floridians are acutely aware of the fact that it just takes one hurricane to wipe out a state, and therefore the protection of our coastal communities is crucial. Between 2002 and 2007, the US experienced over $180 billion in losses due to hurricanes. In my opinion, this issue has been overlooked for far too long. The current Federal investment in hurricane research is a drop in the bucket compared to our nation's increasing vulnerability. I remain committed to ensuring that Florida and the nation are better prepared to respond and mitigate the devastating impacts of hurricanes. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
September 14, 2009: Hastings Commemorates 15th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act
When the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 was enacted, we took a historic step forward in addressing sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking and other forms of violence against women. This legislation established new criminal and civil enforcement tools for holding perpetrators accountable and provided victims with the ability to seek justice and access to a network of support options. On September 13th, we marked the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. As we commemorate this historic milestone, it is important to note that women are now more likely to report incidents of rape, sexual assault and abuse, and domestic violence has declined overall in many parts of the country. However, the battle is far from over. Approximately 600 women are raped or assaulted in the United States each day, and countless incidents go unreported. Fifteen years after Congress passed this landmark bill, low-income women and women of color continue to be disproportionately affected by domestic violence, and domestic violence remains grossly underreported in the LGBT community. What’s more, the economic downturn and high unemployment have contributed to recent increases in domestic violence and child abuse. And, some states have been forced to cut funding for important domestic violence programs and services because of budget constraints. Simply put, we still have much work to do. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have fought to protect any victim of violence regardless of race, creed, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, status, or gender. I am a proud cosponsor of the Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act, which would help individuals access resources to address domestic and family violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the military. Violence against women negatively impacts a woman’s physical, mental and reproductive health, and threatens the overall health and development of families and communities. Advocates, organizations, and state, federal and tribal governments must work together to develop and maintain comprehensive and culturally competent strategies that prevent and stop violence against women in the home, military, workplace, campus and correctional institutions. Rest assured, I will continue to support efforts that guarantee the health and safety of women and children all across this nation. If you are the victim of domestic violence or know someone who is please call The National Domestic violence Hotline: 1.800.799. SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
September 14, 2009: TPS for Haitians Should be Granted Immediately! As we reach the height of this year’s hurricane season, I am reminded of the damage and destruction that befell Haiti, our Hemisphere’s poorest nation, just one year ago. Still recovering from a devastating food crisis, in 2008, Haiti was ravaged by four hurricanes and tropical storms in a span of just 30 days. Sixty percent of the country’s meager harvest was destroyed, and still today, the ability of the Haitian government to provide even basic services remains severely compromised. While I commend the United States for providing Haiti with significant amounts of humanitarian aid, our nation can and should do better. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would not only provide the Haitian people with substantial relief, it is also the least expensive, most immediate form of aid our government can provide. TPS would allow Haitians currently residing in the United States the ability to legally stay and work for a temporary period of time so that they may have a personal stake in rebuilding their nation. At a time when our own government advises of the physical dangers of travelling to Haiti, it is dangerous and irresponsible to repatriate Haitian migrants when Haiti’s government should be focusing all of its limited resources on its country’s recovery and sustainable development. This past January, I reintroduced H.R. 144, the Haitian Protection Act, a bill which would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant TPS to Haitians. Contrary to what critics believe, TPS will promote homeland security, democracy, and humanitarian efforts. The United States of America is the richest nation in the world, while Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere struggling to recover from years of political turmoil and multiple natural disasters. I have long fought to end our nation’s double-standard immigration policies, and by continuously denying Haitians TPS, the United States continues to send a clear message: The safety of Haitian lives is not a priority compared to a Honduran, Nicaraguan, or Salvadoran life Nationals from these countries and others have been granted TPS under circumstances similar to those facing Haiti. Why then should Haitian nationals be excluded? Haiti’s long-term stability is not only in Haiti’s best interest, it is in the best interest of the United States. Just 600 miles from our shores, political and economic instability in Haiti impacts our own economy, immigration levels, and national security, thereby making it our responsibility to work to ensure Haiti's long-term stability. It is outright shameful that our government has continued to reject Haiti's pleas for this vital assistance at a time when the Haitian government is doing everything possible to bring their country out of chaos and destruction. It is imperative that the United States seize every current opportunity to put our struggling neighbor on a path to sustained development and finally grant Haitian nationals TPS.
July 31, 2009: "Discharge" Don't Ask, Don't Tell Now! I would like to take this opportunity to explain what has happened in the past few days regarding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Earlier this week, I submitted an amendment prohibiting the use of funds in the Defense Appropriations Act to investigate or discharge our brave service men and women on the grounds of “telling” their sexual orientation. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell provides that a service member can be separated from the Armed Forces for stating that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual. While my amendment would not have repealed the law, withholding this funding would have brought us one step closer to the legislative repeal necessary to eliminate it once and for all. Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and the White House, I withdrew my amendment. I believe that we should not be booting out qualified service members just because they are honest about whom they are, let alone appropriating funds to this end. I, like so many others, am deeply troubled that we are not addressing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell at this time. I keep hearing the rhetoric “next year, next year” with regard to acting to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I realize that this issue is considered controversial, but it should not be. The numbers speak for themselves. According to recent polls, as much as 75 percent of Americans support openly gay service members in the military. Americans recognize that forcing men and women out of the military on the basis of sexual orientation is not only blatantly discriminatory, but harms our national security and, indeed, runs counter to the values of our Armed Forces. While the blatant bigotry of this law is reason enough to push forward its repeal, our country is also engaged in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I can assure you that we cannot afford to spare any of our dedicated combat veterans, intelligence officers, linguists, and aviators to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Since President Obama took office in January, 326 service members have been discharged, and counting. This is not only absurd, but costly. To date, our military has already spent over $95.1 million on retraining soldiers because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And what’s more, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, is expected to report his reassessment of the war against Taliban insurgents in two weeks, which could include a request for even more American troops next year. Last month, I wrote a letter to President Obama and had 76 other Members of Congress join me in explaining what he can do right now to put a stop to the humiliating investigations and devastating discharges conducted under the purview of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And that is exactly what I was attempting to do with my amendment. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is plain wrong. It is wrong now and it will be wrong next year. I stand ready to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with my colleagues in Congress today!
July 27, 2009: Welcome! Welcome to my new official Web site! It is an honor to represent the people of Florida's 23rd Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. My diverse district includes parts of Broward, Palm Beach, Hendry, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. On my new Web site, you can:
I hope that you find your visit to be helpful and informative, and that you will return to my site frequently. Sincerely, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings
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