Benjamin Gilman: “Chairman Rangel, serving as the chair of our New York delegation, and my colleagues of the New York delegation, and all…”

“Chairman Rangel, serving as the chair of our New York delegation, and my colleagues of the New York delegation, and all of our colleagues, we are so pleased to be able to welcome Mr. Meeks to the Congress. Our retired colleague, Floyd Flake, amassed a distinguished record of congressional service. His dedication in fighting for the concerns of his 6th District, his patriotism, his hard work are a testament to the leadership that he displayed, and while Congressman Flake leaves his shoes to fill, his successor seems to me to be able to come with a great potential to do just that. Gregory Meeks comes to the Congress after already having had a distinguished career in public service, graduating from Howard University Law School. He joined the Queens County District Attorney's Office, was quickly promoted to the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor, something Mr. Rangel and I have been working on for a number of years in our battle against drugs. We are pleased to welcome a legislator with the experience and determination in fighting the war on drugs. Congressman Meeks, I know while he was serving on the New York State Commission on Investigation, directed criminal and civil investigations and major organized crime figures, and we hope he will continue his devotion to fighting crime as he did in the past. We want to commend you and we wish you well.”