AARLCC is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit celebrating a significant addition of archival materials to the Alcee Hastings Collection\, recently gifted to the AARLCC Special C ollections. This meaningful donation represents a significant contribution to our archives and offers new opportunities for research\, learning\, an d public engagement.
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\n&ldquo\;Alcee Hastings: A Leg acy of Service in Florida and Beyond&rdquo\; celebrates Alcee Hastings (b. 1936\, d. 2021)\, who was one of the most significant political figures f rom South Florida during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He was an alumnus of Florida A&\;M University College of Law (1963) where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. While working as a l awyer\, he also was a fierce activist in the Civil Rights movement.
\n< p> \;\nIn 1977\, he became the first Black federal judge in Flo rida history\, a position he held for 10 years. In the 1990s Hastings was part of the first wave of Black elected officials to serve in the US Congr ess after the 118-year gap following Reconstruction. He won re-election 14 times and became the longest-serving congressman representing Florida. He served Florida District 23 from 1993 to 2013 and Florida District 20 from 2013 to 2021. He was an outspoken advocate for Floridians and devoted to fighting for the rights of minorities\, immigrants\, children\, and senior citizens. His congressional career was also marked by his deep involvemen t in international affairs.
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\nThe Alcee Hastings Col lection that is preserved in the AARLCC Special Collections has thousands of photographs that document the fact that Hastings was a man of action an d a man of the people. The photographs depict him with his constituents\, working abroad\, and collaborating with other politicians on shared goals regardless of party lines.
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\nThe archival materials speak for themselves in showing that Alcee Hastings had a deep commitment to understanding and respecting others and that he worked tirelessly to be tter the lives of everyone on local\, national\, and international levels. The African American Research Library and Cultural Center Special Collect ions is honored to preserve his legacy for future generations and to share it with the public.
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\nThis exhibit marks the first time that these materials will be freely available to the public. The exhi bit is located on the first floor of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. Join us to celebrate this important addition to our archives.
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\nAdditional programming in conjunction wi th the exhibit will be announced.
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