June 26, 2007

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Launch’s the Congressional Services Caucus

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), of the Sixth Congressional District hosted a press conference today along with fellow Co-chair Kevin Brady (R-TX), to announce the launching of the Congressional Services Caucus, which will focus on maintaining the global leadership of U.S. services and on promoting policies that will expand this sector.

Speaking at the press conference were fellow Caucus members Rep. Phil English, Rep. Deborah Pryce, Rep. Melissa Bean, Rep. Joseph Crowley, Rep. Wally Herger, United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and Bill Toppeta, President of MetLife International and a leader of the Coalition of Service Industries (CSI).

As Co-chair of the Caucus, Meeks said he will concentrate on the needs of service industries, which he termed, "engines of our economic growth, job creation, competitiveness and innovation." Meeks points out that, "the service sector will create 19.2 million new service jobs by 2012, which will account for 90 percent of all new jobs in the nation, these jobs typically, are among the best paying and most highly skilled positions. In my own district which encompasses John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), 89.9 percent of my constituents work in services."

Meeks added, "In 2006, the U.S. service sector generated a trade surplus of $73 billion. This sector is vital to expanding the U.S. economy and it is the intent of the Congressional Services Caucus to support this sector by highlighting the need for continued growth. Because the service sector is strong and continues to grow, we need to encourage development that will give services the same consideration that agriculture and manufacturing receive."

United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab stressed, "The importance of trade agreements to the service sector and overall economic growth."

The Coalition of Service Industries (CSI) released a study entitled, 'Services Drive U.S. Growth and Jobs: Importance of Services to the U.S. Economy,' which concludes that 70 percent or more of the workforce in 398 of the 435 congressional districts is employed in the service sector. CSI will distribute this groundbreaking report to every Member of Congress.

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