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Need To See A Lawyer On Immigration Matter and Concerns? JNBS Provides The Service Of An Immigration Lawyer FREE OF COST To Our Customers. On The Third Friday Of Each Month Commencing FEBRUARY 20, 2004 The Representative Office 5039 N. State Rd. 7 (Sunshine Plaza) Call 1-800-390-7850 or    954-485-0444

                   CONGRESSMAN MEEK HOSTS FIRST 
                                                           MULTI HOUSING INITIATIVE

(U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek's Housing Fair at Florida Memorial College Saturday January 17, 2004)

BY VERNESTINE WILLIAMS                                       

              
                                                                                               Photos by Leona Minto

In a strikingly similar political style as his mother, retired Congresswoman, Carrie Meek, the dynastic scion, Congressman Kendrick Meek has demonstrated in his short tenure that he is in step with his constituents. On Saturday, January 17, he partnered with WOW (With Ownership Wealth) and the Black Congressional Caucus¹ Homeownership Initiative in convening a Free Homeowners Fair at Florida Memorial College, at 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami, Florida.

         

To the planners¹ surprise, there was a large presence of potential homeowners long before the scheduled meeting time of 10:00am. Initially, this event was to be held in the Smith Conference Center. However, it had to be shifted to the Gymnasium because by 8:00am, there were more than 1000 predominantly people of color, calmly waiting for the Campus gates to be opened so that they could get on with the serious business of accessing information to get state, local and federal funding to buy their homes.

             

This inaugural Housing Fair targeted the Tri-County non-homeownership population and the aggressive marketing/advertising campaign on HOT 105.1 FM for two weeks, prior to the date of the event, paid off handsomely for the Congressman¹s inner circle who tirelessly worked to make this a successful event. It was an intensive four hours, 10:00 am to 2:00pm of housing seminars on a broad range of issues namely; the working poor and affordable housing, financial challenges for the low income renter planning to own a home; how to move from unemployment to steady income and developing financial strategies such as a bank account to build credit necessary to buy a home. Congressman Meek in a very short address made it clear that he is more interested in poor people regardless of race, color or creed owning a house than getting re-elected to Congress. From the homeless people to the working mother with low income, he has devised strategies in alliance to WOW and his Black Congressional colleagues so that funds will be available to assist these groups to create Wealth by owning their own houses. In a relaxed mood, and dressed in casual clothes, he told this unexpected huge crowd that ³this is for real; this is not a Pick 6 or any other Lotto. If you remain consistent in your quest you too can own a house.² In spite of having his mother, and being a two income family, he told the audience that it was a difficult road for him in this quest to own a nice home. 

                        

An interesting aspect of Congressman Meek¹s first Housing Fair, was the session where individuals could come up on the podium and share their experiences in their attempts to own their homes. The Mistress of Ceremonies for this function, Tamara Gof 99 Jamz led off with her own testimonials of falling into credit card debt and the recovery efforts on her part with the assistance of relatives, friends and colleagues at work, which finally led her to proprietorship of a ³lovely crib². Anita Davis of Carol City gave a rousing testimony of homeownership and how the Miami-Dade Housing and Finance Authority and Heaven Economic Development program helped her in her quest to close the deal on her first home.
It was encouraging to see the local elected officials who came out to lend their support to this dynamic Congressman Kendrick Meek. Present on that day were City of Miami Garden¹s Commissioners, Melvin L. Bratton and Oscar Braynor II, and Fitzroy Salesman, Vice Mayor of the City of Miramar. Two influential real estate/mortgage professionals, Marie Kong, the first Vice President of NAREB/Realists and Chester Bishop, Chairman/CEO of Su Realty Title Inc. were at the scene to help Congressman Meek in this bold and successful event.

             

Two students, Michael Edwards, a senior, all the way from Chicago, Illinois and Wayne Lloyd, Jr. from the sponsoring Florida Memorial College, were the crowd controlling co-coordinators. They were fully assisted by other students from the Campus¹ Fraternities/Sorieties and the local Masonic Order. This event was an eye opener for the Florida Memorial Colleges¹ sophomore, Tyson Johnson. He exclaimed, ³It¹s hard for his people (Bahamians) to save for a home. This event will enable us to be homeowners.

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