Son of the Soil:

     I had the privilege of knowing Congressman Hastings as the people’s champion from working at the Westside Gazette since 1985. As the Gazette is the heart of the Historically Black community in Fort Lauderdale and the Congressman was the people’s knight in shining armor, I had ample opportunities to see him interact with the community. It seemed that he showed up to every occasion that he was invited to because he knew his presence made a difference. He supported so many organizations with his own funds. In a community where people could have become jaded from so many empty and broken promises over many years, Congressman Hastings gave the people someone to believe in. They knew he was on their side and would use his power and position to help them all he could. […]