HOUSTON, Sept. 21, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston mediator and former BlackBerry executive Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer is busy planning for a stint in Congress. He has decided to take on Houston icon Sheila Jackson Lee and her Republican and Libertarian opponents in his first political race ever. Meyer is taking a unique stand on the issues facing Houston, Texas and the nation, and he plans to have his campaign highlight one cause particularly dear to his heart.
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Meyer has opened his campaign headquarters on Capitol Ave. near Minute Maid Park. He is running as an independent, write-in candidate, with the slogan "Tired of politics as usual? ChuckM." His unconventional and grassroots-style campaign reflects his desire to chuck old standards and implement more effective methods.
"We are at a critical juncture in our nation's history, and it seems more and more of us are coming to the realization that politics as usual will no longer work," Meyer said. "I want to take my mediation and dispute resolution skills to Washington and bring people together, not push them apart."
Meyer is the founder of i2i Resolutions Group, a mediation, arbitration and third-party negotiation service. He also serves as the pro bono practice advisor with the Lothe Law Firm and as a member of the Federal Relations Subcommittee of the Greater Houston Partnership.
The Oxford-educated Meyer believes a U.S. Representative has several roles. "In some instances, the Representative may serve as educator; in other instances, the job is to be a student," he said.
According to Meyer, a U.S. Representative must understand the needs and concerns of his constituents and then work creatively with state and local governments, as well as the private sector, to resolve those issues in a fair, ethical and efficient manner.
"A Representative must have a willingness to hear out all the voters in the District, not just those who may support him or her or cast votes in his or her favor," Meyer explained. He proposes establishing a district citizens' advisory panel to advise him during the campaign and after going to Capitol Hill as well. This panel will be composed of voters in the District, without regard to whether they are Democrats, Republicans or any other affiliation.
"I hope to find volunteers from each part of the District, and from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests to serve on this group," he said. "This panel will continue to advise me, providing a diversity of opinions and issues. I am interested in sitting around a table to discuss respectfully differing viewpoints on the issues of the day," Meyer said.
If elected Meyer would also champion increased federal funding into research to find cures for rare and orphan diseases, particularly those that affect children. One of his daughters is a victim of Juvenile Batten's Disease, a genetic, neurodegenerative disease.
Meyer earned a graduate degree in law from the University of Oxford in 2005, having earlier obtained a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, an M.S. degree in Operations Research from George Washington University and a JD degree from the Washington College of Law of the American University.
He had a varied and successful career as an engineer, patent examiner, judicial law clerk and a lawyer in both private practice and in-house with two corporations, including Research in Motion Limited, the BlackBerry® Smartphone Company. He is also a former visiting law professor at the University of Houston Law Center and at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Most recently, he has been an entrepreneur and a dispute resolution professional.
He advises voters, "If you are frustrated with Congress, ChuckM is all you need to write-in. Remember that early voting starts on October 18, so please register to vote by October 4."
For more information about ChuckM, email chuckm@meyerforcongress.com. ChuckM can be followed on Twitter (@chuckm2010) as well as on his campaign blog at: https://chuckmnow.wordpress.com.
This campaign material has been paid for by Friends of ChuckM, Siddhartha Rao, Treasurer. Meyer for Congress Campaign HQ, 2120 Capitol Avenue, Suite 3430, Houston, TX 77003. Campaign Staff Phone: +1(281) 296-1680.
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The BlackBerry® trademark is owned by Research In Motion Limited and is registered in the United States and may be pending or registered in other countries. ChuckM's Campaign is neither affiliated with, nor endorsed, sponsored, or otherwise approved by, Research In Motion Limited. The use of the BlackBerry® trademark is not to be construed as an endorsement, sponsorship or other approval by, or current affiliation with, Research In Motion Limited.
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| wkr0001.jpg | Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer |
