John Kerry Talks Jobs and Opportunity with New Yorkers in Harlem & Queens.

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Kerry Hosts Town Hall Meeting on Jobs and the Economy in Queens, Rallies With Rangel and McCall in Harlem
February 23, 2004
http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0223b.html
New York, NY -

John Kerry brought his campaign to New York City today and brought into sharp focus his plan to restore the 3.2 million jobs lost under George W. Bush and create greater economic opportunity for all New Yorkers.

At a morning rally in Harlem with hundreds of supporters, Kerry focused on his plan to revitalize urban communities by improving access to capital and creating jobs. At a noon town hall meeting on the economy and jobs at York College in Queens, Kerry talked jobs and met with New Yorkers who are struggling to make ends meet and get ahead in George Bush’s economy.
“For nearly a thousand days, George Bush has stood by as jobs have disappeared,” said Kerry. “Here in New York, more than 480,000 jobs have been lost on his watch. I have a real plan to rebuild our economy beginning with repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and closing the tax loopholes and benefits that reward Benedict Arnold CEOs and companies for shipping American jobs overseas.”

“We will provide new incentives for companies that create and keep good jobs here in America. We’ll make health care affordable for our families and our small businesses and hold down the soaring costs of health insurance and prescription drugs. And we'll insist that free and fair trade mean fairness for workers - not a free ride for those that break the rules.”

Kerry hosted a town hall meeting in Queens with Congressman Gregory Meeks on jobs and the economy. Kerry heard directly from four New Yorkers who are struggling to make ends meet under the George W. Bush economy, including: Gemma Deleon Lopresiti, a working parent who administers the Retail Wholesale Department Store Union’s Local 1102 health care benefits, and knows first hand how difficult it is for workers to afford health care; Chris Gleeson, a single father from Deer Park, Long Island and a Gulf War Veteran and who has been unable to find work for over five months; Jean Phelps, President of the Jamaica Chapter of the NAACP, who has been in the trenches and knows the challenges facing African-Americans seeking access to capital to build small businesses.

Kerry addressed each of these issues, outlining his plans to make health care more affordable, protect the middle class, and rebuild the American economy. John Kerry is offering America a positive vision of the future – a return to prosperity and new and better jobs across America. Beginning with the repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, John Kerry’s number one priority will be middle class families who are working hard to cover the mortgage, pay the high cost of health care, child care and tuition, or just trying to get ahead.

Earlier in the day, supporters packed the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem for the Kerry rally, where he outlined his plan to create jobs, and his urban renewal agenda, a program that will invest in America’s inner-cities. Former New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Manhattan Borough President Virginia Fields, NYC Central Labor Council President Brian McLaughlin, State Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson, and Congressman Charles B. Rangel all announced they were supporting Kerry because of his plan to strengthen urban communities by getting our economy back on track.

“John Kerry is the best Democratic candidate to take on George W. Bush,” said Congressman Charles Rangel, who endorsed John Kerry today. “Kerry’s urban renewal plan will invest in people, strengthen our communities, and rebuild our economy. We have always been able to count on John Kerry to lead the fights to improve health care, to strengthen schools, and to create jobs. As President, John Kerry will take on special interests, and put working families first.”

“Charlie Rangel has served his country in uniform, and has served his country in Congress,” said Kerry. “He serves with passion, with insight, and with distinction. I am proud to stand with Charlie Rangel – a leader with a lifetime commitment to civil rights and civil liberties. Our campaign is about lifting up all Americans with an agenda that unites us and moves us forward.”

Representatives Maurice Hinchey, Steve Israel, Joe Crowley, and Anthony Weiner; New York State Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson; Queens Borough President Helen Marshall; and Queens County Chair and former Congressman Tom Manton; and former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins all announced their support for John Kerry for President today. These elected officials are supporting John Kerry because he is the best candidate to take on George W. Bush, and take back the White House.

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