FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 4, 2004

Contact: Ben Allen (202) 225-4361

Serrano Sworn in to 109th Congress

 

Introduces Several Bills for Consideration by New Congress

 

Washington, DC, January 4, 2004—Today, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY) took the oath of office for the 109th Congress, which will be his ninth term in the United States House of Representatives.  After casting his vote for Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for Speaker of the House, Serrano headed up to
Albany
, where he will witness his son, José M. Serrano, sworn in as a State Senator tomorrow. 

 

 

 

“This is quite a day, and I am proud to be here to once again reaffirm my commitment to the people of the
Bronx
,” said Congressman Serrano.  “I am so honored that they have returned me to Congress, and I am determined to defend their interests here, fighting to make sure that our government does not give up its responsibility to help our country’s neediest people.  With budget cuts on the horizon, many vital social, security, and transportation programs in
New York
hang in the balance, and I will fight with all my strength, working with like-minded Democrats and Republicans, to make sure that our city does not get shortchanged.  It would be unconscionable if critical programs that help our communities are cut in order to fund the war in and tax cuts for the wealthy.

 

 

 

“I will also continue to speak out and push for our government to lead a more sensible and respectful foreign policy, one that remembers that we should be a humane superpower.  I will continue to push for an end to this awful war in and for a deeper national commitment to environmental and social justice.  The millions and millions of Americans who voted for Democrats deserve leaders who will stand up and fight for progressive values.”

 

 

 

Serrano marks 31 years in public life in 2005, and this year becomes the longest serving public official in
Bronx
history.  First elected to the State Assembly in 1974, he was elected in a special mid-term election to Congress in 1990.  He is the only Member of Congress from New York City on the exclusive Appropriations Committee, serves as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Commerce Department, Justice Department, State Department, the federal Judiciary, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Census Bureau, and the Small Business Administration (SBA), and other agencies, and is the third-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. 

 

 

 

Today, Congressman Serrano also introduced several pieces of legislation on the House floor:

 

• The English Plus Resolution, a resolution that encourages all Americans to strengthen their skills in the English language and to promote the use of other languages in our society;

   

• A Constitutional amendment to remove the limit on the number of terms one may serve as President;

   

• A resolution to permit members of the House of Representatives to donate used computer equipment to public elementary and secondary schools;

   

• An amendment to provide a tax credit for businesses using clean-fuel vehicles within areas designated as “nonattainment areas” under the Clean Air Act;

   

• An amendment to ensure that consumers receive notification regarding food products produced from crops, livestock, or poultry raised on land on which sewage sludge was applied;

   

• A bill to lift the trade embargo on ;

   

• The Baseball Diplomacy Act, which would waive certain prohibitions with respect to Cuban nationals coming to the to play organized professional baseball;

   

• An amendment allowing taxpayers to contribute directly to the Untied States Library Trust Fund as a direct check-off on their tax form;

   

• A bill to provide for identification and health testing of members of the Armed Forces exposed to depleted uranium during their military service;

   

• Legislation to extend a fresh fruit and vegetable pilot program to Head Start and child care organizations; and

   

• Legislation to make permanent and fully-fund the audit program for the Child and Adult Food Care Program.

   

 

 

 

# # #  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Congressman José E. Serrano has represented the
Bronx
,
New York
, in Congress since 1990.  He is the only Member of Congress from
New York City
on the House Appropriations Committee and serves as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments.  This year, Congressman Serrano celebrates 31 years in public office.