Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Confirmed Safe After Major Earthquake Hit Christchurch In New Zealand
Press Release
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), a senior member of the House Committees on Foreign Services, and Financial Services has been reported safe after a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the New Zealand city, Christchurch. There have been 29 aftershocks with a magnitude between 4 and 5. Congressman Meeks was part of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation led by Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, to discuss trade, commerce and security between the U.S and New Zealand.
Congressman Meeks joined the 8-member U.S. Congressional Delegation (the largest ever to visit New Zealand) who was in the capital city of Wellington for a meeting with Prime Minister John Key and other political leaders, when the earthquake struck Christchurch.
(Jamaica, NY)--"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Canterbury who have been affected by this devastating natural disaster. Especially the families of the victims, and the great people of New Zealand," stated Congressman Meeks. Meeks continues, "I would also like to commend Ambassador David Huebner, and the staff of the United States Embassy for their stellar job in facilitating the evacuation of American citizens from the region, and ensuring that I and, fellow Congressional Members of the delegation were safe."
The U.S. Delegation left New Zealand yesterday to continue talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Australia. The delegation is scheduled to visit the capital city of Canberra and meet with Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Ministers of Trade, Defense, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the delegation's counterparts at Parliament.
The US Mission has established a dedicated email address for those both seeking information, or providing information, about the welfare/whereabouts of Americans in Christchurch. Please email the information to: chchquake@state.gov.
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