July 30, 2009

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Host Washington, DC Clergy Retreat

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks is hosting a retreat for 90 members of the clergy from his district (NY-6). The Clergy members are in Washington to better acquaint themselves with the workings of the federal government, particularly in regard to the faith-based community and ways in which Sixth Congressional District clergy and their congregations might become more involved with federal public policy issues.
 
In addition to touring the Capitol Building, participants will meet with Joshua Dubois, Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Initiatives.  They will also have an exchange with Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.  They will meet with Tim Gilchrist, the Washington representative from Governor David Paterson’s office to discuss ways in which faith-based and community-based organizations can access ARRA (American Recovery and Revitalization Act) funds.

Congressman Meeks will host a working lunch for the clergy where they will be greeted by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.  Joanne Caldwell, Associate Under-Secretary for Communications at the Economics and Statistics Administration, will discuss the economy.  Myles Lennon, from the International Laborers Union, will give a presentation on the Weatherization Apprentice Program in New York City.  Marete Gerli, the Congressional Research Service, will discuss the federal grant process.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to host this all day retreat for the clergy members from my district. They have come to Washington, DC to gain the knowledge to continue to economically empower the Sixth Congressional District. The clergy has always been an essential part of the core leadership that has helped to turn people’s dreams into reality,” Congressman Meeks said.

"In these tough economic times, we must make sure Queens gets its fair share of federal dollars. Religious and community organizations are the pulse of our neighborhoods throughout Queens. By investing in our communities, we create jobs, deliver better health care services to families, increase mentoring programs for our children, and ensure a safer community for all of us. I am committed to working with Congressman Meeks and religious leaders to secure federal dollars that will support critical services for our Queens families," stated Senator Gillibrand.

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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