Gregory Meeks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gregory Meeks
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Official portrait, 2018
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| Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Michael McCaul |
| Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Eliot Engel |
| Succeeded by | Michael McCaul |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| Assumed office February 5, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Floyd Flake |
| Constituency | 6th district (1998–2013) 5th district (2013–present) |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 31st district |
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| In office January 1, 1993 – January 3, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony S. Seminerio |
| Succeeded by | Pauline Rhodd-Cummings |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gregory Weldon Meeks
September 25, 1953 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Simone-Marie Meeks |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Adelphi University (BA) Howard University (JD) |
| Website | |
Gregory Weldon Meeks (born September 25, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician. He has served as a U.S. representative for New York since 1998. He is a member of the Democratic Party. From 2021 to 2023, he led the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is currently a top member of that committee.
His district covers much of southeastern Queens in New York. This includes neighborhoods like Jamaica, Laurelton, and The Rockaways. The area is home to many different communities.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gregory Meeks was born in East Harlem, New York City. He grew up in a housing project. He earned his first college degree from Adelphi University. Later, he received his law degree from Howard University School of Law.
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Meeks was a member of the New York State Assembly. He served there from 1993 to 1998.
Serving in the House of Representatives
Gregory Meeks has been a U.S. Representative for New York since 1998. This means he helps make laws for the country.
Elections
2008 Election
In 2008, Gregory Meeks ran for reelection. He faced some questions because he first supported Hillary Clinton for president. Many people in his district supported Barack Obama. Meeks won his primary election and was reelected.
2012 Election
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In 2012, Meeks ran for reelection again. He won the Democratic primary. In the general election in November, he was reelected with a large majority of the votes.
His Time in Office
On March 3, 2015, Meeks joined other Democrats in not attending a speech. This speech was given by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress. This was a way to show their disagreement with the speech.
In July 2020, the leader of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, lost his primary election. Gregory Meeks then decided to run to become the new leader. On December 3, 2020, Meeks won the vote to become the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This committee deals with how the U.S. interacts with other countries.
During the 117th Congress, Meeks often agreed with President Joe Biden's ideas. He voted with the President's stated position almost all the time.
Visits to Other Countries
Meeks has traveled to different countries as part of his job. These trips help strengthen relationships between the U.S. and other nations.
Philippines Visit
On August 25, 2007, Meeks visited the southern Philippines. He was part of a group of representatives. They went to learn more about the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines. They also visited American troops who were helping train Filipino soldiers.
Malaysia Visit
In August 2022, Meeks traveled to Malaysia. He was with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress. They discussed important topics like security, economic chances, and good governance. These talks help improve the relationship between Malaysia and the U.S.
G20 Bali Summit
On October 6, 2022, Meeks gave a main speech at the P20 Bali summit. This summit brings together leaders from different countries. His speech talked about important global issues. These included defending democratic values and fighting climate change. He also spoke about making sure everyone has enough food and energy. He stressed the importance of countries working together.
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Fall of Afghanistan
When the city of Kabul fell in 2021, Meeks said that the Taliban taking over was "inevitable." He explained that it would have taken many more U.S. troops for a long time to stop it. He said the American public did not support such a large commitment.
Committee Assignments
Gregory Meeks serves on important committees in the House of Representatives:
- Committee on Financial Services: This committee deals with money, banks, and consumer protection.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs (Ranking Member): This committee handles how the U.S. interacts with other countries. As the Ranking Member, he is the top member of his party on this committee.
Caucus Memberships
A caucus is a group of members of Congress who share similar interests or goals. Gregory Meeks is part of several caucuses, including:
- Co-chair of the Dialogue Caucus
- Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus
- Co-chair of the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus
- Co-chair of the Services Caucus
- Co-chair of the Caucus on US Russian Trade and Economic Relations
- House Baltic Caucus
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- U.S.-Japan Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
- Afterschool Caucuses
Personal Life
Gregory Meeks is of African-American heritage. DNA analysis shows that his family mainly comes from people in Sierra Leone. His great-grandparents lived in South Carolina when slavery ended.
See also
In Spanish: Gregory Meeks para niños
