Meek named visiting fellow at Howard University Ronald W. Walters Center

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The Howard University Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center recently announced that FAMU alumnus Kendrick B. Meek, a former member of the U.S House of Representatives and former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, will serve as the institute’s visiting fellow for 2014. As a member of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, Meek was instrumental in pioneering legislation creating new trade incentives for Haiti. He has been both a staunch supporter of the Haitian Diaspora and a leader on issues challenging the country.

“Dr. Walters was a great advisor to me and many other elected officials throughout out our great country as a public policy and political thinker,” Meek said. “I am very proud to have been selected to serve as a Fellow in the Ronald Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center.”

As a visiting fellow, elected or appointed officials are chosen to share their expertise with the Walters Center and the greater campus community. Meek will facilitate lectures on topics that will include both foreign and domestic policy. He will also contribute to informational sessions geared toward students.

“Historically, Howard University has been at the forefront of advocacy and political discourse,” Meek said. “No other HBCU can celebrate or even have access to what Howard students have access to.” He added, “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with a student body that’s politically motivated. To share my experiences and to allow other members of Congress to interface with the student body is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Meek’s political involvement began at the age of 12, as he helped his mother, former Congresswoman Carrie Meek, run for state legislature. He continued to hone his political leadership skills at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) where he was the founder and president of the university’s Democratic Club and later statewide president of the Young College Democrats.

After graduating in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Meek began his career as a patrol trooper with Florida Highway Patrol. He was later promoted to captain and assigned to the security detail of Democratic Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay. However, he was determined that writing laws – instead of enforcing them – would be where he could have his greatest impact. Meek resigned from the Florida Highway Patrol in 1994, and ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. After winning, Meek served in the Florida House from 1995 to 1998 and the Florida Senate from 1999 to 2002.                                        

Meek accomplished a great deal as state legislator. In 2000, he and another state legislator staged a sit-in in the office of Gov. Jeb Bush around the issue of “One Florida,” a plan to end official race/gender preferences in state government. When the Florida legislature failed to act on overcrowded classrooms in the Pre K-12 education system in Florida. Meek, also lead a statewide petition to drive and successful Florida constitutional amendment for smaller class sizes in the state which was approved by Florida voters.

In 2003, Meek was elected to represent the 17th, U.S. Congressional District of Florida, and became the first son to succeed his mother in Congress. During his tenure, Meek was an early member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, a precursor to the Homeland Security Committee where he also served. He was an active member of the House Armed Services Committee and by appointment of the Speaker was one of 12 officials tapped to serve on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Meek also was a member of the House Steering and Policy Committee helping to define the legislative policy and messaging priorities of the Democratic Caucus. He served until 2010 and was appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama to serve as a Special Representative to the United Nations in 2011.

As a visiting fellow at the Ronald Walters Center, Meek will meet with members of Congress to promote the Walters Center and engagement between Howard University and members of Congress on policy matters.
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