Grace Meng

Grace Meng (Chinese: 孟昭文, born October 1, 1975) is an American lawyer and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing New York's 6th congressional district in the New York City borough of Queens, which includes neighborhoods like Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens and Maspeth. Previously, she served as a member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 22nd assembly district in Flushing, Queens, New York. She is the first Asian American to represent part of New York in Congress.

Early life and education

Grace Meng was born and raised in Queens. She attended Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School 74 and is a graduate of Stuyvesant High School. She received a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.

New York Assembly

Elections

Grace Meng's father Jimmy Meng was elected in 2004 to New York's 22nd assembly district, becoming the first Asian American to be elected to the legislature in New York State history. Jimmy served only one term, having decided to not run for re-election in 2006 following a scandal regarding election irregularities in his first campaign. He subsequently pleaded guilty to bribery charges. He only served one month in jail for his crime. Grace Meng decided to run to succeed her father, but was taken off the ballot when Democrat Ellen Young, challenged her residency status. Subsequently her district residency issues were resolved.Ellen Young succeeded Jimmy Meng in 2006.