Meek, Kendrick, 1966-

MEEK, Kendrick B., a Representative from Florida; born in Miami, Dade County, Fla., September 6, 1966; B.S., Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla., 1989; member of the Florida state house of representatives, 1994-1998; member of the Florida state senate, 1998-2002; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Eighth Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2003-January 3, 2011); not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Twelfth Congress, but was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate in 2010.

<p>In 2003, Kendrick Meek's election in a Florida district formerly represented by his mother, Carrie Meek, made him the first African–American to succeed his mother in Congress. "I am very respectful of the fact that the reason I am able to assume this high office today is because of the sacrifices and struggles and the battles for equal rights that were fought by the generations that preceded me," Meek stated as he began his House service.</p>

<p>Kendrick Brett Meek was born in Miami, Florida, on September 6, 1966, the youngest of three children raised by Carrie Pittman Meek. Carrie Meek divorced as a young mother but went on to build a political career in the Florida state legislature and, eventually, as a Member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kendrick Meek graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology from Florida A & M University in 1989. After college, Meek worked for the Florida Highway patrol, eventually earning the rank of captain and, for a time, guarding Democratic Lieutenant Governor Buddy McKay. In 1994, Meek won election to the Florida state house of representatives, where he served four years before winning election to the state senate. In both instances, Meek waged contentious campaigns to defeat longtime Democratic incumbents. Meek married Leslie Dixon, and they raised two children, Lauren and Kendrick, Jr.</p>

<p>As a state legislator, Meek was a strong advocate for education reform, pushing for reduced class sizes in the Florida public schools. His political views on education and affirmative action frequently placed him in conflict with Florida Governor Jeb Bush. In response to a gubernatorial proposal to end the state's preference for minorities in contracting and university admissions, Meek led a 25–hour sit–in, which helped spark the largest ever protest–march on the state capitol in Florida history. He also led the "Arrive With Five" voting initiative in 2000, designed to bring women and minority voters to the polls. This effort helped register the greatest number of black voters in state history.</p>

<p>Kendrick Brett Meek (born September 6, 1966) is an American politician who was the U.S. Representative for Florida's 17th congressional district from 2003 to 2011. He was the Democratic nominee in the 2010 Senate election for the seat of Mel Martinez, but he and independent candidate Charlie Crist lost in a three-way race to Republican Marco Rubio.</p>

<p>The son of retired Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek (née Pittman) and Harold H. Meek, Kendrick was born on September 6, 1966 in Miami, Florida. He is the great grandson of The Reverend Horatius "H.H." Coleman, pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.</p>

<p>He graduated from Miami Springs High School in Miami, where he played football as a defensive lineman. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1989 from Florida A&M University. Meek was a star football player in college and also founded the Young Democrats at Florida A&M, later serving as President of the organization. He was also initiated into the Omega Psi Phi fraternity through the Upsilon Psi chapter.</p>

<p>After graduating from college, Meek was sworn in as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and was assigned to Miami. During his four-year tenure, Meek became the first African American to reach the rank of Captain. He later served on the security detail for Democratic Lieutenant Governor Buddy MacKay and subsequently launched his political career.</p>