U. S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek, D-Fla., a Florida A&M University graduate, is running for Florida's a U.S. Senate seat in 2010. Currently Meek is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Kendrick Meek

Meek recalled his passion for public service at Florida A&M University.

"FAMU was the place where my passion for community service, education and public service was realized," Meek said.

Meek is running to fight for Florida's causes and ensure nothing stands in the way of helping Floridians.

Creating jobs, health care, education, ending foreclosure and the war in Iraq are some of Meek's platform for a better Florida.

"Our state needs bold leadership at every level, and that is why I've made the decision to run as a candidate for the United States Senate," Meek said.

Carmen Cummings, FAMU executive director of alumni affairs, said she is excited Congressman Meek is running for U.S. Senate. Cummings pointed out Meek's mission to land in the Senate could have a huge impact on FAMU.

"Having a loyal Rattler on the Hill is important because Meek thoroughly understands our needs on the plateau of higher education," Cummings said. Meek knows how to navigate our concerns with great political savvy and bring it home to assist President Ammons and the University."

As a student Meek got involved in various activities. Meek helped found the FAMU College Young Democrats. He is a member of FAMU's Upsilon Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Meek also recalled playing defensive end for the FAMU Rattlers football team throughout his college years. He attributes his academic success to Sharon Wooten, director of the Learning Development and Evaluation Center, who helped him deal with his dyslexia. A condition, he said, that required patience and understanding.

Florida House of Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, said that Congressman Meek has been a mentor and attributes much of his success to his leadership.

"He's real and has a vision that Democrats, Republicans and Independents can get behind to support all working families in Florida," Williams said. "He has the qualities to lead Florida in the right direction."

"If the opportunity is presented I will be glad to work with and support Meek's efforts to run for the U.S Senate," Williams added.

Public service runs in Meek's family. His mother, Carrie Meek, a former Congresswoman, is also a Rattler. He credits his mother as a tremendous influence on his public office career.

"The university, my professors and mentors, fraternity brothers and football teammates, and of course my mother and family members, they all helped shape me into the man I am today," Meek said.

Linaise Lima writes for The Famuan, the Florida A&M University student newspaper, which originally published this article.