Congressman Gregory Meeks and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Seek to Expand Minority Access and Participation in TARP and other Government Run Financial Rescue Programs

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy & Trade, along with Members of the Congressional Black Caucus want to ensure the meaningful participation of minority and women- owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in the recently announced Public Private Investment Program, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the Term Asset Backed Securities Lending Facility (TALF), and other programs designed by the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to assist our financial markets and homeowners.

“It is critically important that as the Federal Government seeks to address the greatest financial and economic crisis in over 70 years that the solution includes the participation of all proven, brilliant and capable Americans. It is vital that minority businesses, professionals and experts participate in the programs the Congress has created to help get America back on sound, prosperous and productive economic ground,” said Congressman Meeks. “During my time in the Congress I have sought the counsel of these experts from around our nation as I deliberated public policy as it pertained to my service on the Financial Services Committee. I know that they are up to the task. Our job is to ensure that the federal departments that are running these programs are responsive and inclusive of their expertise,” added Congressman Meeks.

The CBC, under the leadership of its Economic Security Taskforce, is convening a TARP/ TALF Access Summit on Monday, March 30, at which women and minority business owners and professionals will hear from speakers including Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke and John F. Bovenzi, Deputy to the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer FDIC among others about opportunities for their businesses to participate in government efforts such as TARP and TALF.

The Summit itself is closed to the press. However, press availability is scheduled for 12:45 PM on Monday.

WHO: CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee, Co-chairs of the CBC Economic Security Taskforce Reps. Maxine Waters (CA), Gregory Meeks (NY) and Keith Ellison (MN) and others.

WHAT: Press Availability to discuss the CBC TARP / TALF Access Summit

WHEN: Monday, March 30, 2009 @ 12:45 pm

WHERE: 1105 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC