Sheila Jackson Lee: “Let me thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin for her kind words. Those were memorable times, and the historic nature of…”

“Let me thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin for her kind words. Those were memorable times, and the historic nature of his leadership was not only national; it was international. I am privileged again in this very special tribute to be able to yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia. States are quite close to each other, and of course, her passion matches the deep passion of Congressman Alcee Hastings. That is the obvious reason for her kinship to Congressman Hastings, but also the ability to have suffered in loss but stand up to fight for justice, and that is our friend and colleague, Lucy McBath, from Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath). Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I rise in celebration of the remarkable life of our dear friend and colleague, Congressman Alcee Hastings, known affectionately as The Judge. People called him that long before I got here. He was the first African-American Federal judge in the State of Florida, appointed by President Jimmy Carter, where he served for 10 years before being elected to Congress in 1992. I know that a lot of my colleagues and persons in this great Chamber tonight might wonder what kind of a relationship I would have had with Alcee Hastings. I would have only been here for 2 years. But what I do know is that I recognize Alcee truly from his spirit. He and I both had cancer.…”