HR3590 Health Care Bill & Government Health Insurance

Rep. Kendrick Brett Meek, representative of the 17th Congressional District of Florida to the House of Representatives, is one of the 40 co-sponsors of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Cong. Meek was born on September 6, 1966, in Miami, Florida, to former Congresswoman Carrie Pittman-Meek and Harold Meek. He finished high school at the Miami Springs Senior High School, and went on to study Criminal Justice at the Florida A&M University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989. He was a football player both in high school and in college, playing defensive lineman in high school. Meek founded the Young Democrats Club at Florida A&M, and served as president of the Florida Young Democrats Organization.

After earning his degree, Meek joined the Florida Highway Patrol as a trooper. He eventually rose to the rank of captain, the first African-American to hold that rank. He was also the owner of K&L Security Services Company and a development representative of Wackenhut Corporation. He is married to Leslie Meek, with whom he has two children: Lauren and Kendrick Jr.

From 1995 until 1998, Meek served in the Florida House of Representatives. He then joined the Florida State Senate in 1998, serving until 2002.

On November 5, 2002, Kendrick Meek was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as his mother’s successor to the seat, after Congresswoman Carrie Pittman-Meek retired from office.  He assumed office on January 3, 2003.

Rep. Kendrick Meek has been named the Democratic nominee in the 2010 Senate elections, vying for the seat that will be vacated when Sen. Mel Martinez retires.