U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Statement on the Resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder

U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Statement on the Resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) released the following statement on the announcement that Attorney General Eric Holder will be resigning from the Department of Justice when his successor is nominated and confirmed:

“As a fellow African-American man who grew up in New York City, practiced law, and advocates for equality and civil rights, it will be difficult to see America’s first African-American Attorney General, Eric Holder, resign. When banking institutions engaged in fraudulent practices and preyed on Americans, Attorney General Eric Holder held them accountable, achieving landmark settlements including billions of dollars of relief for struggling homeowners. When the individuals responsible for the 9/11 attacks had their day in court, Attorney General Eric Holder ensured that justice was served. When Shelby County violated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, Attorney General Eric Holder decided to sue the county to restore voting rights for disenfranchised Americans. And when the Defense of Marriage Act prevented members of the LGBT community from being afforded the same benefits as their peers, Attorney General Eric Holder proved instrumental in putting that discrimination to an end.

“With an eye to fairness, Eric Holder has spearheaded the effort to reverse ill-advised tough-on-crime anti-drug policies and as a result, this is the first year since 1980 that the bloated federal prison population has declined. He also sought to repair relations between communities of color and law enforcement, an initiative that is much needed given recent tragedies.

“I applaud all of Mr. Holder’s hard work, and our nation owes him a debt of gratitude for his service and sacrifice. I wish him, his wife Sharon, and this three children Maya, Brooke, and Eric good health and happiness in the future.”