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Gregory Meeks
New York, 6th
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Congressman Gregory Weldon Meeks worked his way up from a youth spent in New York City public housing to receive his B.A. from Adelphi University and a law degree from Howard University. |
After working as an Assistant District Attorney, he became Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. Meeks later joined the State Investigations Commission responsible for overseeing inquiries on public officials, state employees and organized crime. In continuing his service to the State of New York, he eventually became the Supervising Judge for the New York State Workers Compensation System.
In 1992, Meeks was sworn in to the New York State Assembly from the 31st District in Rockaway, New York. By 1998, Assemblyman Meeks received the mandate from the residents of the 6th Congressional District and was propelled into the United States Congress. He eagerly began serving the 651,000 residents of Southeastern Queens, Meeks is known for his efforts to economically redevelop the 6th Congressional District. Over the past five years as a Member of Congress, he has secured tens of millions of dollars for several projects including: sewer improvements in Springfield Gardens, the LIRR Eastside Access project, the redevelopment of the commercial area around the new Jamaica Station, the expansion of the Queensborough Public Library, the rehabilitation of an abandoned facility to house a publicly funded health clinic, the pre-development work to revitalize a dilapidated shopping center in Far Rockaway, and the rehabilitation of an office building across from the aforementioned shopping center. In keeping with his desire to stimulate the economy, Mr. Meeks has introduced as legislation the Consumer Credit Card Interest Bill, and the Work Force Enhancement and Development Bill.
In an effort to create jobs and opportunities in his district, Congressman Meeks supported access to JFK Airport for the creation of Jet Blue Airlines, which increased air service from New York City airports to communities in upstate New York. Through the New Markets Tax Credit Program he was recently successful in securing $21 million in tax credits which can raise up to $54 million in equity for investments in commercial development in downtown Jamaica. Because he knows that economic development and education go hand in hand, Mr. Meeks has appropriated nearly $6 million for educational support programs including the Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Aeronautics program run by NASA out of York College.
Congressman Meeks currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, its Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance & Government Sponsored Enterprises & the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions & Consumer Credit, where he champions the cause of home ownership and eliminating predatory lending practices. He is the author of a major revision of the federal statutes governing state predatory lending abuses. He also serves on the House International Relations Committee where he is a Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific . With a real interest in the development of small economies, he has made strides toward using trade and international relations as tools of both diplomacy and development.
Congressman Meeks has a proven track record on Capitol Hill in advocating for consumers. His bills to protect automobile consumers, frequent flyers and home buyers have generated much debate and discussion in the halls of Congress. He has balanced his support of labor on the floor of the house while supporting trade, business development, and global economics. He has worked on environment issues and challenged drilling in the ANWAR, while supporting increased domestic energy production that protects the environment and lessens our dependence on foreign energy sources.
Congressman Meeks resides in Far Rockaway, Queens with his wife Simone-Marie and has three daughters Ebony, Aja and Nia-Aiyana.
Rep. Gregory Meeks's Official Website
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