June 10, 2009

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Amendment to H.R. 2410 Passes On House Floor
Supports Efforts to Promote Racial Equality in the Hemisphere

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Today, Congressman Gregory Meeks offered an amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410) that passed with bipartisan support on the House Floor. This amendment requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on bilateral efforts to promote equality and eliminate racial discrimination in the Western Hemisphere.  In addition, Congressman Meeks’ amendment requires a report to Congress on the status of the U.S. Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial Discrimination.

"It is imperative that Members of Congress remain informed about the Administration’s plans to work with our partners in the Western Hemisphere in efforts to eliminate racial discrimination. We must continue to keep our nation focused on efforts to promote equality across the Hemisphere. This amendment strengthens the commitment between the United States and our neighboring countries to do so,” said Congressman Meeks.

In March 2008, the United States and Brazil signed the historic U.S. – Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in which both nations pledged deeper cooperation in the push for equality of opportunity for the members of all racial and ethnic communities of the United States and Brazil.  The U.S.-Brazil Plan and similar bilateral initiatives reflect the reality that social inclusion and economic prosperity for marginalized peoples in our Hemisphere is directly relevant to the strength of democracies in the region and the United States’ national security.

 Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee.  He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Coalition and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).  He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus, OAS Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.

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