Serrano denounces Republican cuts to programs for the needy

Congressman Serrano strongly condemned a package of Republican budget cuts that passed the House of Representatives at close to 2:00 a.m. on Thursday night.

"These cuts are shameful," Congressman Serrano said. "The Republicans are trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor. Where is their much touted compassionate conservatism? Where is their sense of right and wrong?"

"In typical fashion, the Republicans waited until the dead of night to pass a measure that they did not want the American people to notice," Serrano added. "They did not want the American people to realize that they were cutting food stamps the week before Thanksgiving. They did not want the American people to realize they were cutting student loan aid barely a month before the holidays. They certainly did not want the American people to realize that they were cutting home heating programs at a time when prices are sky-high and we are approaching the winter months."

Congressman Serrano, along with his Democratic colleagues, voted against the cuts, and planned to vote against more tax cuts for millionaires when that measure is brought to the floor.

Serrano praises Murtha's call for military "redeployment" from Iraq

On Thursday, Congressman John Murtha (D-Pa.), the Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee on Defense of the House Appropriations Committee, announced his opposition to continued U.S. military occupation of Iraq. Murtha, a decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War and a strong initial supporter of the Iraq war, is widely regarded within the Congress as one of the military's strongest supporters.

"The future of our country is at risk," Murtha said. "It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region."

Congressman Serrano, who opposed the war before the Administration started it and who has long advocated complete and immediate withdrawal from Iraq, praised Murtha's new position. "The military has no greater friend in this Congress than our colleague Jack Murtha," Serrano said. "In a climate in which some Members continue to speciously slander opponents of the war as unpatriotic, he has taken a courageous and principled stand on behalf of our troops and the American people."

Serrano also supports Murtha's resolution, introduced yesterday, which calls for immediate "redeployment" of the bulk of military forces from Iraq and the pursuit of security and stability in Iraq by diplomatic means.

House rejects inadequate social spending bill in bipartisan vote

United in their opposition to the severely underfunded Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006, House Democrats delivered a stinging defeat to the Republican leadership with the help of 22 Republican lawmakers yesterday. The bill, which is the largest and often most contentious of all annual domestic spending bills, would have slashed funding for education, health care, job training, and human services $1.5 billion below last year's enacted level.

"This bill did not address the needs of the American people," said Congressman Serrano. "It further demonstrates that it is working and middle class Americans who pay the high costs for GOP tax cuts for the wealthy. This annual bill provides us with an opportunity to narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots in this country, but since taking control of the House, Republicans have used it to do the opposite."

Serrano expressed hope that the House would consider a more acceptable conference report before the end of the session.

Serrano honors distinguished Bronxites in night of celebration

Ms. McLaughlin has served as the executive director of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for the past 25 years, overseeing CAB's growth from a single office with two staffers to an organization with 25 sites and over 450 employees. "I am grateful for Carolyn's service to the people of the Bronx," Serrano said. "Her efforts have helped countless families enjoy a higher standard of living and given them hope that there is a brighter tomorrow." The Citizens Advice Bureau is a multi-service organization whose mission is to improve the well-being of low-income individuals, families, and communities in the South Bronx and Upper Manhattan.

Mr. Sancho is a 23-year veteran of the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, and is currently vice president of the institution. He was an important catalyst in securing over $240 million in New York State bonds for the hospital's expansion. Serrano said, "What makes Bob such a unique and incredible person is that he is willing to put his knowledge and skills to work for causes that help everyday people. Such selflessness is hard to find today's world." Bronx-Lebanon is the largest voluntary, not-for-profit health care system serving the south and central Bronx, with 854 beds at two major hospital divisions, a specialized nursing facility for AIDS and geriatrics patients, and an extensive "BronxCare" network of ambulatory medical practices.

Serrano salutes inauguration of new performing arts theatre in the Bronx

Today marks the official inauguration of Pregones Theatre's new performing arts space, located on Walton Avenue in the Bronx. Founded in 1979, Pregones Theatre's mission is to create and perform original musical theater and plays rooted in Puerto Rican and Latino cultures.

"I am so pleased to witness the opening of Pregones's new theater," said Congressman Serrano. "Pregones has contributed a great deal to the cultural and economic revitalization of our community. This new space will go a long way toward making the South Bronx an even more attractive location for artists to come and share their craft." Since 2003, Serrano has secured over $700,000 in federal funding for construction of the new space.

Tonight's Board Gala at Pregones will include a performance of The Red Rose featuring guest star Danny Rivera.