Congressman Gregory Meeks Congratulates Senator Hillary Clinton on Acceptance of Secretary of State Nomination

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory W. Meeks congratulates Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on her acceptance as the nominee for United States Secretary of State. Senator Clinton was elected to the United States Senate by the people of New York on November 7, 2000, after years of public service on behalf of children and families. She is the First Lady of the United States elected to public office and the first woman elected independently statewide in New York State. A strong advocate for New York, Senator Clinton has worked with communities throughout the state to strengthen the economy and expand opportunity. During her tenure in the Senate, Senator Clinton served on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; the Environment and Public Works Committee; the Special Committee on Aging; and is the first New Yorker ever to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“Senator Hillary Clinton has been a phenomenal representative for the State of New York as Senator and has served the constituents of New York with tremendous dedication and has provided astounding opportunities and resources to meet their needs. There is a significant amount of work that needs to be done to keep the United States competitive in the foreign policy arena and I’m confident that her international expertise will help America reach new international heights. She has my utmost enthusiastic support as she begins to serve as our country’s Secretary of State. While I, like millions of New Yorkers will be saddened by her departure as our Senator, I know that our nation will gain a tremendous Secretary of State, who as our top diplomat, will help President-Elect Obama restore America as the beacon of liberty, equality, democracy and opportunity,” said Congressman Meeks.

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. Meeks is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.