Congresswoman Waters Applauds Partnership between Goldman Sachs and Williams Capital

Congresswoman Maxine Waters and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) reacted favorably to an announcement today that Goldman Sachs selected Williams Capital to manage $1 billion of U.S. treasury and government agency securities.

"We applaud the commitment to diversity that Goldman Sachs is demonstrating by selecting a minority business enterprise to manage this significant investment," said CBC Economic Security Taskforce co-chair Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).  "As a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, I have worked to expand opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned financial services firms, so I am pleased that firms like Williams Capital are being recognized for their experience and capabilities and being given a chance to contribute."

CBC Economic Security Taskforce co-chair Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) said, "It is critically important that diversity remains a top priority in the financial services sector as many minority-owned businesses are suffering in the midst of this financial crisis. I believe that this partnership between Goldman Sachs and Williams Capital is an extremely positive step in bringing diversity to the world's leading financial capital.  Williams Capital is a proven firm with a tremendous track record of success.  This Goldman Sachs investment will provide Williams Capital the ability to grow its business in a very strategic and impactful way."

Reps. Waters and Meeks recently organized an event bringing together high-level government officials from the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to discuss opportunities for minority- and women-owned business enterprises and minority financial services professionals including accountants, attorneys, consultants, financial advisors and asset managers, and real estate brokers to participate in federal financial recovery programs administered by these agencies.  The taskforce has also encouraged large financial institutions participating in programs such as the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP), Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF), and the Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP) to partner with small, minority and women owned businesses to help stabilize the national economy.

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