Congressman Andy Kim Focuses on Improving Equity Across the State; Uplifts Students and Meets with Unions and Community Leaders
MOORESTOWN N.J. – As the final month of the 2024 election cycle began, Congressman Andy Kim spent the week criss-crossing the state, focusing on improving equity and opportunity, and meeting with New Jersey students, union members, and community leaders on-the-ground.
Congressman Kim attended an October 7th commemoration event in Tenafly, NJ where he was joined by other local leaders and elected officials, and over 4,000 members of the Bergen County community. He also spent time in Lakewood, New Jersey this week where he toured and spoke with employees at the Hatzalah of Central Jersey, Bais Faiga, Lakewood’s largest K-8 School for Girls, and met with various leaders within the Lakewood community. In Congress, Andy has secured grant funding including through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program for his district’s religious communities to enhance security at their places of worship so that everyone can feel safe practicing their faith.
Focusing on finding ways to make New Jersey a more equitable space for all, Andy met with RWDSU Local 108 members in Elizabeth, where he toured Twin City Supermarket and held a roundtable discussion with members representing grocery and supermarket workers, nursing and housekeeping workers, bus and shuttle bus drivers, mechanics, warehousing and distribution workers, crossing guards and parking authority officers. After, he headed to Newark airport to speak with shuttle bus drivers at Terminal A. He was joined by National President Stuart Appelbaum, RWDSU Local 108 President Charles N. Hall Jr., and RWDSU Local 108 Secretary-Treasurer Ousmane Ngokana. As a member of Congress, Andy has always stood up for unions, and has supported workers who collectively fight for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
“The conversations and visits I had on-the-ground with RWDSU 108 members helps me better deliver for them at the federal level. From cashiers and supermarket workers to shuttle bus drivers and mechanics, everyone deserves a living wage, affordable housing to relieve the burden of costs, and the right to safe working conditions,” said Congressman Andy Kim. “The stories and discussions we had gives me hope that we can find tangible solutions to improve the lives of union members who dedicate themselves to helping New Jersey run.”
“We know that Andy Kim will fight for working families because he has a track record of doing just that,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “Meetings and walkthroughs like today’s tell us he hears our concerns and he wants to make sure employers are keeping workers safe and holding up their end of the contract – RWDSU members in New Jersey are ready to send Andy Kim to DC as New Jersey’s Senator.”
“Our members need a Senator who will stand on the frontlines for them in Washington. Congressman Andy Kim has never wavered in his support for our members, whether they work in nursing or in the public sector or essential services like grocery stores, warehousing, and distribution, or as bus and shuttle bus drivers,” said Charles N. Hall Jr., President of Local 108 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “When our members have needed him, he’s been there. That’s why during this election we’re standing for him. Today, he took the time to hear our members' concerns, and walk through a day in their lives. We know he’ll take that understanding with him as he fights for workers in DC – it’s incredibly important we have that advocate.”
Congressman Kim also met with Pete Rosario and various Latino non-profit leaders from across the state in Newark to have a candid discussion of the causes and issues important to the Latino community including the need for equal opportunity for higher education, the current housing crisis and lack of rent control, and affordable health care. In Congress, Andy helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the most sweeping law to lower costs in decades, and co-sponsored the College for All Act, which would guarantee tuition-free community college & public trade schools for all students, eliminate tuition & fees at public four-year colleges & universities for those up to $125,000/yr., and cut student loan interest rates in half.
As a candidate ready to usher in a new generation of leadership in the Senate, Congressman Kim spent time this week uplifting the next generation of New Jersey leaders. He spoke with South Jersey Young Democrats, and conducted the first planned sit down of his Fireside Chat college series with Stockton University students. Andy also participated in a candidate forum with Rowan’s Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC), which was moderated by Dr. Ben Dworkin, founding Director of RIPPAC. In Congress, Andy supported the Biden administration's policies that led to the cancellation of $116 billion in student debt, and co-sponsored the codification of the SAVE Plan Act, to relieve debt even further.
“We were thrilled to host Congressman Kim at Rowan University, as part of RIPPAC’s Public Speaker Series,” said Dr. Ben Dworkin, Rowan Professor and Director of RIPPAC. “By elevating the level of political discourse, we improve the chances of solving the significant challenges we face as a nation. Congressman Kim’s visit certainly helped us in this effort.”
Congressman Kim finished his week by attending an AAPI canvass launch with supporters in Bergen County, speaking at a Newark rally hosted by Mayor Ras Baraka in support of the Harris campaign where he was joined by other elected officials and special guest Queen Latifah, and joining forces with Sue Altman at a “South Asians for Harris” GOTV rally and canvass launch in Basking Ridge.
As a son of immigrants and a graduate from New Jersey public schools, Congressman Andy Kim has been proud to represent his home community in Congress. Andy is a young father of two little boys and represents a new generation of leadership stepping up to fix our broken politics. As a former national security official, Andy previously advised President Obama on counterterrorism and worked for four-star generals in Afghanistan.
Andy went on to win a congressional district that Trump won twice by defeating three consecutive self-funding republican millionaires. In his three terms in Congress, Andy has worked hard to lower costs for New Jersey families, help support small businesses through challenging times, and has battled House Republicans in the fight to restore protections for women in the aftermath of the 2022 Dobbs decision. Andy is now stepping up to run for senate to fight against corruption and restore integrity to public service.
