March 25, 2022
“I want St. John’s University to be part of the district,” stated the Honorable Gregory W. Meeks to Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, during a recent visit to the Queens, NY, campus.
The St. John’s President, currently in his sophomore year, and the long-serving legislator enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation during their first in-person meeting. “I know the excellent work that goes on at St. John’s,” Rep. Meeks said. “I have hired graduates of St. John’s, and I know that students come from around the country and the world to study at St. John’s—which is located in the most diverse borough in the country that I am proud to represent.”
For 24 years, Rep. Meeks has served in the US House of Representatives, representing a district comprised of working-, middle-, and upper-middle-class neighborhoods of southeastern Queens. For the last 20 years, the district that he represents in Congress includes the University’s Queens campus.
Recently, after the decennial census and the redrawing and approval of new congressional maps, it was decided that the campus will remain as part of New York’s 5th Congressional District for the next decade. The district includes the entire Rockaway peninsula, as well as the Queens neighborhoods of Broad Channel, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, Laurelton, Queens Village, Rosedale, St. Albans, South Ozone Park, and Springfield Gardens, as well as John F. Kennedy International Airport. In Nassau County, the district covers Inwood and parts of Valley Stream and Elmont.
“I was happy to spend time with Rep. Meeks as I know of the advocacy that he regularly provides for St. John’s,” observed Fr. Shanley. “I know well that he supports various federal student aid programs and policies that directly help our students, our student veterans, and our international students.”
During the personal sit-down, Rep. Meeks, who serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described to Fr. Shanley in sobering detail what he witnessed during a recent bipartisan congressional delegation trip abroad to Brussels, Belgium, and Kyiv, Ukraine. He plans to return soon and emphasized how international travel—like the Global Studies programs offered at St. John’s—provide mutual learning opportunities and solidarity for all involved.
Closer to home, Fr. Shanley shared with Rep. Meeks his strategic vision for the University, describing the continued Catholic and Vincentian commitment to providing an excellent and affordable education to a diverse student community. He also described the latest academic and financial investments being made toward the construction of the new Health Sciences Center.
Rep. Meeks, along with US Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, helped to champion a $1.25 million federal appropriation in the 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill for facilities and equipment to support the Skills and Simulation Center in the new Health Sciences Center.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. John’s, during the get-together Rep. Meeks presented Fr. Shanley with an American flag that flew over the US Capitol on September 27, the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul—the French saint and founder of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians), the group that founded St. John’s.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and to thank Rep. Meeks for his service, and I look forward to working with him in the years to come,” expressed Fr. Shanley.
After his meeting with the President, Rep. Meeks served as a guest lecturer in an undergraduate Introduction to American Government course taught by Adjunct Instructor Brian Browne, Executive Director for University Relations and Assistant Vice President for Government Relations.
“Rep. Meeks’ campus visit provided a teachable opportunity to demonstrate the path from political theory to practice, and our lively class discussion built a bridge between knowledge and real political know-how,” said Mr. Browne.
This was the second member of the New York Congressional delegation to visit the American Government class as Rep. Grace Meng addressed the students earlier in the month.
“Prior to taking this class, I had never met any elected officials, so it has been exciting to meet them, especially someone who represents the district that includes St. John’s,” reflected Dominique Sullivan, a second-year Environmental Studies major from Brooklyn, NY. “Getting the opportunity to talk to elected officials makes the idea of government feel less daunting because we can see that they are just everyday people like us.”
During the free-flowing conversation, Rep. Meeks described his career path and journey from public housing to the House of Representatives. He shared anecdotes and firsthand experiences of his daily work in Congress, and challenged all students, regardless of political philosophy or affiliation, to strive to make the world better for future generations.
“It is amazing to see that we have representatives who care about the youth’s input and interests,” expressed Fariha Rahman, a first-year Government and Politics major from Queens. “Hearing from Rep. Meeks motivated me to get more informed and gave me hope that this world can and will do better, and that real change is a gradual thing that takes time.”
For Henrik Israelian, a Legal Studies sophomore from Queens, the class discussion was more personal. “When I asked Congressman Meeks about hate crimes in America and shared my own personal experience, he gave a thoughtful answer that truly moved me. Congressman Meeks gave light to his own family’s struggles with racism and how we as a country need to protect all people affected by hate today.”
“Congressman Meeks was originally scheduled to visit the class for only 30 minutes but instead stayed for the entire 90-minute class session. I think it was time well spent for all,” said Mr. Browne.