A Conversation with
Congressman Gregory Meeks
Congressman Meeks made himself available to share feelings about a mentor, brings us up to date on the
election and his top priorities in working with the new administration and Congress.
AIRPORT VOICE, NOVEMBER 2020 3
Q: Do you some feelings
to share about the passing
of community leader Archie
Spigner.
A: He was not called the godfather
for nothing. He touched
every official in SE Queens,
and lots of the progress has his
fingerprints on it. When I first
thought of getting involved in
politics my friend said if you
want to get politically involved
you must meet Archie Spigner.
He told me what I need to know
about local politics. He was one
of my biggest supporters and
helped get the JFK AirTrain
build . One thing he said that
I will never forget is,“ Make
sure people are first.” I will
miss him.
Q: I suspect you are felling
pretty good about the
election.
A: I am feeling good, really
good. I see the light the end of
the tunnel.”
Q: How does it feel to
have a new administration
in the White House?
A:The best way to say this
is as the Mayor of Paris said,
“ Welcome back to the table,
America.” We are getting back
to normal, we can breathe
again.
Q: What is your relationship
with President Elect
Biden?
A: I have known and
worked with him for years. He
he is what he appears to be. A
man of humility, a caring person.
He is the real deal, genuine
and caring.
He is serious about negotiating
and compromising to cut
a deal to get something done.
That’s what Obama chose him,
so he could talk to both sides,
work across the aisle. You absolutely
can’t work without
compromise. You need to work
it out to get something done.
Q: Will McConnell work
with Biden?
A: I hope so. The jury is
still out. I am shocked how
many Republican colleague
are standing up for this President’s
behavior. It gives us
a black eye when other countries
see how our system is
not functioning as it should
be. I am looking to work on the
stimulus bill again now that
the elections are over. The
numbers are close, we just
need to agree how to spend it.
The $500 billion offered is not
even enough to help the cities
and states facing big problems
across the country.
Q: What does having a
woman of color mean to the
nation?
A: It Is Fantastic. She has
clearly broke the glass ceiling
and made history as the
first woman of color to be VP.
She will do for Biden what
Biden did for Obama. by being
straight with Biden saying
what she feels and things.
She can also cross aisle to
get things done as Biden did.
Q: How will you get a
stimulus package.
A: Trump is still there ,
so question can Trump move
the Senate. The big question
is what will he do or say.
He still needs to sign a bill.
There is a concern with the
firings and refusal to concede,
I hope we come to an
agreement even if short term
before January 20.
After January 20, we will
work tirelessly to reach an accord
and help the American
people.
Q: Any way to help get
the $3 billion needed by the
Port Authority?
A: Yes, we need to have a
Port lease in place in order to
find ways to get financing. We
need money to get the JFK redevelopment
project done. We
need to get airport leases to
get funding. JFK Redevelopment
is on pause It will take
more time and that time is extended
and maybe the lease
expires before the work will
be completed. As we have a
longer term lease, we can get
financing. We will work with
the Mayor of NYC and I think
he will agree that the Port
projects will help small business
and jobs. We are on the
same page. We also need some
Republican senators to work
with us on multi-state agency
concerns and help champion
the bill in the Senate. This is a
work in progress.
Q: Other than the stimulus,
what other priorities do
you have?
A: We need an infrastructure
bill to help projects like
JFK redevelopment around
the city like the AirTrain. I
also look to the opportunity to
be Chair of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, where I can invigorate
the State Department,
work with allies, create more
commerce and jobs. I want to
work with the new administration
to get back to working
with doctors and scientists for
recommendations on how we
can get a better handle and
curb the Covid virus which is
killing more people every day.
Q: Do you have a Thanksgiving
thought to share?
A: I Wish everyone a
Happy Thanksgiving and to
be thankful for life and health
even though we may not all
be together as families. We
have learned this from the
pandemic We are a prayerful
nation and this is he most
precious thing there is. Make
sure we say thanks for we are
greatest nation the planet has
even seen and citizens of this
great country.
Let us not forget when we
say Thanks in our prayers.
We need to stay safe and get
back to normal as quickly as
we possibly can.
Q: Do you have words for
our military on Veteran’s
Day?
A: The biggest influence on
my life has been my father. He
was a veteran of WWII. He believed
in fighting for our country
and believed in the ability
to grow and change despite
segregation. I have been able
to travel the world as a Congressman.
I have met young
people doing duty in extraordinary
circumstances. They
know Democracy isn’t free. It
comes at a price. Our soldiers
are willing to pay for democracy.
What we take for granted
they are willing to sacrifice,
perhaps the ultimate sacrifice.
We shouldn’t take democracy,
our great country and
our freedoms for granted. I am
deeply grateful. We are striving
to be a more perfect union.
Thank you Congressman
for your time.