Carrie P. Meek - Political Career

Political Career

Meek was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1978 as a Democrat, serving until 1983. As a state representative, she introduced a bill criminalizing stalking. In 1982, she was the first African American female elected to the Florida State Senate. As a State Senator, Meek served on the Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Her efforts in the Legislature also led to the construction of thousands of affordable rental housing units.

Meek was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, after fourteen years in the Florida Legislature. This made her the first black lawmaker elected to represent Florida in Congress since Reconstruction. Upon taking office, Meek faced the task of helping her district recover from Hurricane Andrew's devastation. Her efforts helped to provide $100 million in federal assistance to rebuild Miami-Dade County (then known as Dade County). Also while in the House, Meek successfully focused her attention on issues such as economic development, health care, education and housing. She led legislation through Congress to improve Miami-Dade County's transit system, airport and seaport; construct a new family and childcare center in North Dade County; and fund advanced aviation training programs at Miami-Dade Community College. Meek emerged as a strong advocate for Haitian immigrants and senior citizens.

Meek claimed her district—Florida's 17th Congressional district—was undercounted in the 1990 Census. She believed that her constituents were cheated in the 2000 Presidential Election. Meek refused to attend a meeting with President George W. Bush in February 2001. She retired from the House at the end of her term in 2003, and was succeeded by her son, Kendrick Meek.