On January 14, 2019 Democratic House Representative Alcee Hastings openly stated that he is being treated for pancreatic cancer.

Representative Hastings has been serving in the House since 1993, becoming the longest-serving member of the Florida delegation since Senator Bill Nelson’s departure.

“I have been convinced that this is a battle worth fighting, and my life is defined by battles worth fighting. Should it become clear that this cancer which has invaded my body cannot be defeated, I will tell you so,” He wrote in a statement.

One of those more notable battles was within his first career as a Florida judge. In one of his last cases as a judge, he was reportedly bribed by two mob-connected felons to reduce the charges. After a thorough investigation, Hastings was acquitted. Suspicions arose with the possibility of falsified evidence during the investigation, which would eventually lead to the House of Representatives voting 413 to 3 to impeach Hastings. He has since become the the official with the most articles of impeachment ever recorded. After the incident, Hastings was eventually elected into the House of Representatives.

During his time as House Representative, he has been a champion for the rights of minorities, women, the elderly, children and immigrants. His legislative priorities range from creating jobs for the middle and lower class to environmental justice.

Representative Hastings is being treated at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington D.C. While he was initially worried about whether the cancer would affect his post, he is confident that he will be able to serve his post as the treatment continues.