Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Hosts New York 06 Cambria Heights Congressional Retreat in Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks is hosting a retreat for 70 members of the Cambria Heights Civic Association from his district (NY-6). The civic association members are in Washington, DC to receive legislative updates from the federal government, particularly in education, veteran affairs, housing and faith based and neighborhood partnerships where they can gain valuable insight in how to best serve the community of the Sixth Congressional District and become more involved with federal public policy.

Congressman Meeks will host speakers from the federal agencies of Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Education as well as Adolfo Carrion, White House Director of Urban Affairs. Joan M. Evans, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs from the Department of Veterans Affairs, will discuss recent legislation that can best serve veterans. Michael Reyes, Deputy Director of Asset Management and Disposition Division and Shauna Sorrells, Acting Director for Public Housing will discuss the issue of high foreclosure rates and access to affordable housing from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Peter Groff, Director of the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships from the U.S. Department of Education will give updates on the Presidents education agenda.

In addition to the hosts of speakers from the various federal agencies, the group will also have an exchange with Senator Gillibrand, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Congressman Rangel, Congressman Towns and Congresswoman Clarke. They will also meet with Hilary Jochmans, Lauren Hill, Ryan Dalton and Rebecca Fertig from the Washington office of Governor Paterson to learn more about how the DC office can be helpful to them.

Congressman Meeks will host a working lunch for the civic members where Congressman John Sarbanes will give pertinent Education legislative updates about the bills he introduced, No Child Left Inside Act of 2009 and H.R. 5172 – To amend the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965, in addition to Saleh Williams, Congressman Meeks education advisor, will speak about internship and educational opportunities in Congressman Meeks office. The day will end with the group touring the Capitol building and visiting the House Gallery

“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to host this all day retreat for the Cambria Heights Civic Association members from my congressional district. By coming to Washington, DC they have the opportunity to learn valuable insight about the inner workings of Congress and the Executive Branch and to bring this information back to the community of the sixth district. Community organizations such as the Cambria Heights Civic Association are extremely valuable in the creation of jobs, quality of healthcare, educational opportunities, housing programs and to ensure an overall high quality community,” stated 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. 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.