Washington, DC - Congressman Edolphus Towns has been named the second most powerful Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the New York delegation, by Congress.org, with Congressman Charles Rangel ranked number one.

"After serving nearly 25 years in the U.S. House of Representatives I have found that the seniority system actually works, the key is to stay here long enough to accrue some seniority," said Congressman Towns.

Congressman Towns currently sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee where he is a ranking member of the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection subcommittee; the Telecommunications and the Internet subcommittee; and the Health subcommittee.  Congressman Towns also sits on the Government Reform Committee where he is the current Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement.

Some of Congressman Towns' legislative successes include:  The Student Right to Know Act" which is a law that mandates reporting of student athletes' graduation rates by colleges and universities; new bilingual education programs for the gifted and talented, teacher training and special education; enhanced Medicare reimbursement rates for mid-level practitioners; establishing a Federal funding base for poison control centers; initiating new standards for the inclusion of children in clinical trials; creating the Telecommunications Development Fund to provide capital for small and minority telecommunications businesses.

"I want my constituents in New York's 10th Congressional District to know that I will continue to fight for their best interest here in the U.S. Congress," added Congressman Towns.
 

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