Alcee Hastings Quotations

Not just Christians and Jews, but also Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and the followers of many other religions believe in values like peace, respect, tolerance and dignity. These are values that bring people together and enable us to build responsible and solid communities.

The Middle East is literally going up in flames, as is California, and Katrina's problems haven't been solved, and Congress' response is to criticize Federal judges.

Today, the Federal minimum wage purchases less than it has at any point in the last 50 years. Let me repeat: The Federal minimum wage purchases less than it has at any point in the last 50 years.

The world is better because of Coretta Scott King. She affected countless lives and her voice will be deeply missed, especially by those who carry on her incredible undertaking.

The actions of the terrorist organizations, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, and Hamas, in Gaza, against Israel are unconscionable. Instead of working towards peace, these terrorist organizations have chosen to perpetuate the violence.

While few religious leaders and scholars would doubt the commonalities that exist among the various religious groups, the followers of these religions unfortunately struggle in their effort to peacefully coexist.

I find it difficult to believe that God would want us to strip the courts of their powers to interpret the laws of this land, albeit with the divergent opinions. I shudder that my colleagues do not understand the dynamics of the Federal judiciary.

Yesterday in this country we had people die of hunger and malnutrition. In some parts of this country, the infant mortality rate rivals that of sub-Saharan Africa. We have a public education system that ranks below that of almost any other Western nation.

Unprovoked attacks on Israel's borders, murdering Israeli soldiers, taking Israeli hostages and showering rockets targeting and killing Israeli civilians are not furthering any legitimate goal.

Usually, it is not my habit to address religious issues on the floor. I strongly believe in a person's right to religious freedom, as well as the separation of church and state.

If Americans want to see results instead of rhetoric, if taxpayers would like solutions instead of sound bites, and hard work instead of horse trading, I suggest you take a short look, and it won't take much longer, at the accomplishments of this Congress.

If today is anything like the typical day of the past 3 years, three American soldiers will die in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Taliban will get a little stronger in Afghanistan and the civil war will continue to be enhanced in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned that many regions of this world are suffering from the effects of armed conflicts with religious aspects. I believe that the differences of faith are not the real reason for these conflicts.

Nearly 60 years ago, the international community made a commitment to put an end to the crime of genocide by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Given the fact that most religions share basic values, it is most unfortunate that religious people can be played off against each other so easily. One possible reason for this may be that people do not know enough about other people's beliefs.

Today, barely 5 percent of all containers coming into the United States through our ports are scanned.

I am pleased to see that many of the world's leaders have publicly recognized that the crisis in the Middle East was deliberately incited by terrorist organizations.

Moreover, I want us to urge political and religious leaders, and all peoples of the world, to move forward in a conciliatory spirit, to deal with religious matters in a responsible and balanced way, and to focus on their common grounds.

Maybe he'll go back to Washington where he's supposed to be.

Nothing in our intelligence suggests that Iraq is ready to attack Washington or Fort Lauderdale,

I am convinced that religious and spiritual understanding plays a positive role in facilitating trust and overcoming political differences.

because of the overwhelming evidence of official misconduct, deliberate fraud, and an attempt to suppress voter turnout by unlawful means. I felt the necessity, as do my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus and other members of the House of Representatives, to object to the kinds of errors against democracy ... that were permitted in the state of Florida.

It is clear that the incumbent president allowed the state authorities to be used in a manner which did not allow free and fair elections in Belarus.

I will not be satisfied until all veterans in Palm Beach County and the surrounding area get the care fitting of the service they provided to our country, ... I don't think that's happening right now.

The absence of clear and consistent regulations... will undoubtedly lead to further confusion and unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses to cities and counties in Florida and throughout the country.

Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don't care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks.

FEMA has lost its focus, and Floridians know first-hand of the agency's shortcomings, .. Natural disaster preparedness and response programs have become trapped in a homeland security bureaucracy.

Disaster management should be coordinated by the federal government, .. It is our exact responsibility.

There ain't no rules here, we're trying to accomplish something...All this talk about rules...When the deal goes down...we make 'em up as we go along.

While voting was generally calm, the election day process deteriorated progressively during the counting and, in particular, the tabulation votes, ... It pains me to report that progress noted in the pre-election period was undermined by significant deficiencies in the count.

Beyond the court-sanctioned injustices that we experienced in Florida, let's face it: Vice President Al Gore won this election, ... The American people are looking to us not only for public outrage, but also for leadership. In this case, leadership calls for courage.

Continuing to do nothing in the face of continued threats to our people and our way of life is hardly what the American people elected us to do.

These elections can only be described as free and fair.

As a matter of fact, religious differences are actually exploited to convince people to participate in primarily political conflicts.

Al Gore needs to understand that what happened in Florida is not necessarily about him, ... suffered serious infractions and irregularities and disparities. And the fact is that -- if nothing more -- the residual from this should be election reform.

It pains me to report that progress noted in the pre-election period was undermined by significant deficiencies in the count.

It pains me to note that there were a number of significant deficiencies in the vote count by the authorities,

Congress should not be in the business of supporting state-sponsored discrimination.

The war in Iraq has not prevented the growth of terrorism. We are learning now that it has actually enhanced the growth of terrorism.

Generally, until this recent spat, we've had collegiality. Now we're like everyone else. It's a political game.

I don't think that we could be any more forceful in asserting that the election did not meet international standards.

The March 19 presidential election does not meet the required international standards for free and fair elections.

The election-day process deteriorated progressively during the counting and tabulation.