Black Miami congressman endorses Kerry

MIAMI, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., said Friday he is endorsing Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., for the Democratic nomination for president.

Meek, who will spend the rest of the week in South Carolina for that state's primary Tuesday, adds a major Florida name to the list of black leaders supporting Kerry.

Kerry received the endorsement of Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., a prominent black lawmaker, Thursday. Clyburn had supported Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., before Gephardt dropped out.

The primary and caucus list for Tuesday includes South Carolina, Missouri, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Delaware and New Mexico.

Meek, a Miami Democrat, said Kerry's record as a decorated Vietnam veteran could help him against President Bush in the general election, The Miami Herald reported.

"He's a far better candidate than he was three months ago," Meek said.