Congressman Gregory W. Meeks represents New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. The Sixth District covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach.  In the heart of the district lie John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), as well as York College and St. John’s University.  The Sixth District serves as the beautiful home of Rockaway Beach and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.    

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998.  He is a member of the powerful House Committee on Financial Services and the much sought after 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.  

Described by the New York Daily News as being “at the forefront of a generational shift in the city’s black political leadership,” Meeks has been a vigorous advocate for economic opportunity and social justice for all people.  As a Member of Congress, Meeks has championed causes and sponsored legislation that: addresses increased educational opportunities for all children, ensures that minority businesses and contractors significantly participate on all projects that receive federal funding, trade expansion, protection of civil and human rights, and promotes healthy livable communities. 

Meeks has gained significant praise for his balanced voting record and advocacy on labor and business issues.  He was Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ New Markets Initiative.  The panel’s focus sought to ensure that the opinions of minority consumers, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs can be heard as Congress debated key policy issues such as Sarbanes-Oxley reform, transportation, trade, telecommunications, financial services modernization and technology. Recognized by the Information Technology Industry Council as its 2005 “Legislator of the Year,” Congressman Meeks seeks to create and sustain a positive environment for the growth of new businesses and emerging industries. 

Representing a district of mostly middle-class working people, Meeks has been a strong advocate for working families and the poor.  He has been praised for his advocacy to protect worker’s rights to organize, strengthen workplace protection laws, and making laws that create jobs that produce a livable wage. Citing Congressman Meeks’ “steadfast commitment to exemplary public service,” National Urban League President Marc Morial described Congressman Meeks as “one of the rising stars in the United States Congress who in his service as a Member of Congress has been a stalwart champion for the Urban League’s mission in the Halls of Congress,” as he bestowed the Urban League’s most prestigious legislative award “The Congressional Leadership Award” for 2006 on Congressman Meeks.

Congressman Meeks has also been credited for creating a strong economic environment for the aviation industry in New York City and throughout the country. In 1999 with his influence, Meeks helped a new start-up airline (JetBlue) get the necessary regulatory approval to operate at JFK Airport, which lies in the center of Meeks’ congressional district.  In addition, Meeks successfully authored legislation that increased air service from both New York City airports to communities in upstate New York – Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany and Rochester in the historic Wendell Ford Aviation Act of 2000.  Meanwhile, with Congressman Meeks leadership and assistance, American Airlines began construction in 1999 on a $1.4 billion terminal at JFK Airport which opened in August of 2005.  The terminal project, the largest investment since the Verrazano Bridge, created thousands of new jobs and serves as the jewel of a revitalized Kennedy airport, one of the most important economic assets in New York. Meeks’ efforts on behalf of New York’s aviation industry earned him the coveted JFK Chamber of Commerce award in 2002.

For his strong leadership, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (06-NY) was honored by the New York Roadway Coalition as its 2006 “Legislator of the Year.”  This annual prestigious award is given to a New York Democrat and Republican for their work on infrastructure issues important to the state. This is the second time in Meeks’ congressional tenure that he was bestowed this award, becoming the first Member of the congressional delegation to receive the award twice in less than 10 years.  For this, and many other reasons, Crain’s New York Business has editorialized Congressman Meeks’ “political courage to do what is best for New York.”

Raised in East Harlem's public housing, Meeks attended New York City public schools before attending Adelphi University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science. In 1978, he received his Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law.  After law school, he joined the Queens County District Attorney's Office. He next worked at the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York.  Meeks then became Assistant Council for the State Investigation Commission, where his responsibilities were to direct investigations. He was then appointed Supervising Judge of the New York State Worker's Compensation System. He held this position until 1992 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly, where he served for five years.

Described by the New York Post for his “many acts of political independence,” Congressman Meeks fervently believes in forging relationships and working with others. To this end he is consistently bringing together members of political, business, organized labor and religious communities. He is the former Chair of the Council of Black Elected Democrats (COBED) and has successfully worked with a bipartisan group of his colleagues to dialogue about issues of importance to the United States and the international community.

Meeks is a founding member of the Thurgood Marshall Regular Democratic Club and remains active in grassroots community organizing. Meeks is also a member of several civic and professional organizations including: the National Bar Association, the Coalition of 100 Black Men, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), United Black Men of Queens, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Inc., the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and United Black Men of Queens.  He is also a member of the Allen AME Church.

Congressman Meeks currently resides in St. Albans, Queens with his wife Simone-Marie and has three daughters Ebony, Aja, and Nia-Aiyana.