The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE 95TH BIRTHDAY OF THE HONORABLE CARRIE P. MEEK
______
HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today and recognize my esteemed former colleague and dear friend, Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek on the occasion of her 95th birthday.
Congresswoman Meek was born on April 29, 1926, in Tallahassee, Florida. She is the daughter of sharecroppers and the granddaughter of a woman who was born a slave. Despite growing up experiencing discrimination in the segregated South, she graduated from Florida A&M University in 1946 and then journeyed North where she would graduate with a Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 1948. She moved back to Florida to work at Bethune-Cookman University and then her alma matter Florida A&M, whereafter she accepted a position with Miami-Dade Community College.
After a distinguished career in education as a single mother to two children, Congresswoman Meek was the second Black legislator to be elected to the Florida House in 1979. She served there until 1982, when she became the first African American woman to be elected to the Florida State Senate. As a State Senator, she served on the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and advanced minority and literacy policies.
In 1992, Congresswoman Meek was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 17th Congressional District. Upon taking office, she was placed on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she led on district priorities, including the hard work of helping Florida rebuild after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Andrew. During her tenure, she successfully addressed issues such as economic development, health care, education, and housing for marginalized and underserved communities. Her efforts delivered $100 million in federal assistance to rebuild Dade County. She also sponsored legislation creating the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. These exemplary contributions have inspired countless young women and men to serve their communities.
Congresswoman Meek is a strong advocate for gender and racial equality, senior citizens, the poor, and Haitian immigrants. She has received dozens of honors and awards including Juris Doctorates from the University of Miami, Florida A&M University, Barry University, Florida Atlantic University, and Rollins University.
Madam Speaker, I had the great privilege of serving alongside Congresswoman Meek for many years. She is a trailblazer and inspiration to so many women. I wish her many more years of happiness as she celebrates her 95th birthday.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 59
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