Uwe Karl Beckmeyer (born 26 March 1949 in Bremerhaven) is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). He served as a member of the German Bundestag from 2002 until 2017 and held various senatorial positions in the state of Bremen from 1987 to 1999.
Early Life and Education
Beckmeyer was born on 26 March 1949 in Bremerhaven, West Germany. After completing his Abitur in 1968 at a high school of economics, he studied to become a teacher at grammar schools, concluding his studies with two state examinations. Until 1975, he worked as a teacher in Bremerhaven.
Political Career
Early Career and State Parliament
Beckmeyer has been a member of the SPD since 1969 and served as chairman of the SPD district of Bremerhaven from 1972 to 1987. He was a member of the parliament of Bremen (Bürgerschaft) from 1975 to 1987 and again from 1999 to 2002, serving as deputy chairman of the SPD faction from 1979 to 1987.
Senator in Bremen (1987–1999)
On 15 October 1987, Beckmeyer was appointed Senator for Economics, Technology and Foreign Trade in the Senate of Bremen under President of the Senate Klaus Wedemeier. Following the 1991 state elections, he became Senator for Ports, Navigation and Foreign Trade on 11 December 1991, and also Senator for Federal Matters. When Henning Scherf became Mayor and President of the Senate on 4 July 1995, Beckmeyer was elected Senator for Ports, Supraregional Traffic and Foreign Trade as well as Senator for Employment. He left these positions on 7 July 1999 after the Bremen state elections.
Member of the Bundestag (2002–2017)
Beckmeyer was a member of the German federal parliament (Bundestag) from 2002 to 2017, always entering as a directly elected candidate for the constituency of Bremen II – Bremerhaven. At the 2005 federal election, he won 54.4% of first-preference votes. From October 2004, he served as the SPD parliamentary group's speaker on traffic, construction and urban development. In December 2005, he also became a member of the parliamentary group's executive committee.
Party Leadership
On 25 March 2006, Beckmeyer was elected regional chairman of the SPD in the state of Bremen.
Other Activities
- Grontmij: Member of the Council (2009–2013)
- Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS): Member of the Advisory Board (2006–2013)
- Federal Network Agency (BNetzA): Member of the Rail Infrastructure Advisory Council (2006–2011)
- Karl Könecke GmbH & Co. KG Fleischwarenfabrik: Member of the Advisory Board (until 2005)
Personal Life
Uwe Beckmeyer is married and has one son.
