Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel said President Obama took office facing some of the most daunting challenges faced by any incoming president – an economic recession, a housing meltdown, a banking crisis – but took decisive actions that seem to be leading to an economic recovery.

Rep. Engel spoke of the first 100 days of the Obama Administration, a traditional grading period for incoming presidents, saying that President Obama has passed his first test by working with Congress to enact legislation, while taking administrative actions to lead the country back from the brink of an economic meltdown.

Rep. Engel, an 11-term congressman, said, “The challenges faced by the President when he took office were great and the economic situation was worsening. He acted decisively and I believe we are moving in the right direction.

“He has also worked with Congress to enact legislation that created jobs, brought fairness to the workplace and improved health care coverage for our children.”

Rep. Engel cited specifically the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to restore the rights of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create and save 3.5 million jobs, jumpstart the economy and transform it for the 21st Century; legislation providing cost-effective health care coverage for 11 million children; and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, bipartisan legislation tripling volunteerism opportunities for national service for 250,000 Americans.

Rep. Engel called President Obama’s record impressive and promising. He added, “At least as important, the president has given the country a sense of purpose and direction; a sense of confidence that we can and will overcome our difficulties, and be a better, stronger nation when this has passed.”