The Serrano Report, Vol. IX, #10

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Applauds President's Statement on Marriage Equality

Congressman Serrano applauded the President for his statement this week supporting same-sex marriage. Serrano said that he looked forward to Americans across the country being able to marry whom they wish, and that he was proud that New York State had already extended these rights to all New Yorkers.

“I fully agree with President Obama in his support for marriage equality,” said Congressman Serrano. “His support reflects the changes in our nation, where we now see more than half our citizens support marriage equality. I am proud to see the President come to this new position. Similarly, I was very proud when my home state of New York extended the right last summer. There is simply no reason why any loving couple should be denied the right to marry.  I believe that we will soon see this right extended to all American citizens and I will continue to work towards that end.”  

Congressman Serrano voted to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2010. Serrano is an original co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Serrano Calls for Investigation of Anastasio Hernandez-Rojas Death

Responding to the troubling findings of a new PBS documentary, "Crossing the Line at the Border," 16 Members of Congress called for justice in the tragic case of Anastasio Hernandez-Rojas and reiterated the need for tougher oversight of Border Patrol personnel to end the abuse of people in the agency’s custody.  In letters to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano(PDF), Attorney General Eric Holder(PDF) and the DHS Office of the Inspector General (PDF), they sought answers to pressing questions about Customs and Border Protection’s policies regarding the use of force and the investigation of cases of brutality.

“The violent nature of Mr. Hernandez-Rojas’ death, combined with the troubling accounts from witnesses and the newly discovered video of the incident, means that this case merits a full and honest investigation,” said Serrano. “I believe that CBP policies need a full review, followed by appropriate reforms. Any ambiguity or lack of accountability that could lead to violence must be eliminated. Our letters make it clear that in the wake of this troubling event and others like it, we must have answers and ensure that such incidents are not repeated by any federal agency.”

Hernandez-Rojas was killed in June 2010 at a border crossing near San Diego after being struck repeatedly with a baton and tazed five times by Border Patrol agents. While the Patrol subsequently insisted that Hernandez-Rojas—a long-term resident of the United States with five U.S. citizen children—was resisting, cell phone footage and eye-witness testimony gathered by PBS indicate that he was already handcuffed and lying on the ground when agents attacked him. Hernandez-Rojas’s tragic death was ruled a homicide by the San Diego Police Department and soon after, the Justice Department launched its own investigation. However, almost two years later, no arrests have been made in the case.

Statistics obtained from the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG) by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, one of the signatories to the letters, show that since 2004, 132 Customs and Border Protection employees have been convicted of crimes, with 26 arrests and 14 convictions in the past year alone. As a result, the pending Fiscal Year 2013 Homeland Security Appropriations bill mandates a Government Accountability Office audit of Customs and Border Protection ethics, conduct and integrity training programs.

Serrano Opposes CJS Appropriations bill

This week, the House of Representatives debated the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2013.  Congressman Serrano serves on the subcommittee responsible for this bill, but voted against the bill because of inadequate funding levels and numerous policy riders added during the debate.

"I am disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle have turned this into another election year charade," said Serrano.  "By adding numerous politically charged policy riders, Republicans have only shown just extreme their agenda is. 

"As importantly, I am disappointed that both the Legal Services Corporation, which funds free legal aid for low-income Americans, and the Census Bureau, which helps our nation better understand the effect of our policies and needs for the future, were not sufficiently funded. The underfunding of these important programs is due to the fact that the Republicans have chosen to break with last year's bipartisan budget agreement."

"Because of these concerns, I voted against the bill," continued Serrano. "However, I will continue to work to ensure that the final bill better reflects the priorities of the people of the Bronx."

During debate on the bill, Republicans attached numerous amendments to the bill attacking the Department of Justice, and attempting to obstruct their current efforts to protect the right to vote, to overturn discriminatory state immigration policies, and to prevent discrimination in the workplace.

The bill passed by a vote of 247 -163.

Serrano Meets with Students from Jane Adams High School

On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano met in Washington with a group of students from Jane Adams High School in the Bronx. He talked to the students about the role of Congress, the work of a Congressman and about concerns the students had. He discussed his support for the DREAM Act and the need for comprehensive immigration reform, and he talked about the need to increase employment options around the country.

Serrano in his office with students from Jane Adams High School

In the Bronx

Unveiling of Pro-Immigrant Art Made from Anti-Immigrant Bricks

WHO: Congressman José E. Serrano; Dr. Felix Matos Rodriguez, President of Hostos Community College; Hatuey Ramos-Fermín, the artist; Bill Aguado, project director; and community leaders. 

WHEN: Saturday – May 12th 2012, 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hostos Community College Memorial Plaza, 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451

WHAT: Congressman Serrano will join with Hostos Community College President Dr. Félix Matos Rodríguez, artist Hatuey Ramos-Fermín, project director Bill Aguado and community leaders to unveil a newly installed “wall of hope” at the Hostos Memorial Plaza. The wall, which is the first part of an installation which will eventually also include a “table of dialogue”, is made from bricks that were sent to Members of Congress several years ago in an effort to convince them to build a wall on the U.S. – Mexico border. The bricks were collected and brought to the Bronx for use in a pro-immigrant art installation—turning their message of intolerance and division into one of hope and reconciliation.

Serrano Announces Upward Bound Grants for BCC, Fordham

This week, Congressman Serrano announced that the Department of Education had funded grants for Upward Bound programs at Bronx Community College and Fordham University for the coming year, and will likely fund each of the programs for five years total. In the first year, BCC will receive $479,000 and Fordham will receive $379,000. The Upward Bound program helps prepare students in underserved communities to apply for college and to be prepared academically when they arrive at college. 

“These Upward Bound programs deserve the full support of the federal government because the work that they carry out is vital for our high-achieving students in the Bronx,” said Congressman Serrano. “Fordham and BCC are the perfect participants in a program that is directed at low-income and first generation college students. This funding will help students prepare for college studies by focusing on math, science, English, and writing and also help with ongoing tutoring and mentoring. The five year commitment by the Department of Education will ensure that BCC and Fordham are able to hire the best people and create the best programs possible with less uncertainty.

“I am proud that we have such great institutions carrying out this mission in our community and I applaud them for their work. Their efforts to make sure that the Bronx is a better place are truly inspiring, and are vital to our borough and its future success. Father Joseph McShane and President Carole Berotte Joseph deserve praise for their work to guide their respective institutions to do this fine work with the best and brightest of our community.”

“The Upward Bound grants are an important rung on the ladder of educational and social mobility,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University. “Fordham has historically educated first-generation college students from families of modest means. This grant helps us continue our mission among students who may have the fewest education options.”

“Bronx Community College is excited to learn that it has been awarded an Upward Bound grant that will allow us to continue to provide services to students in four high schools in the Bronx,” said Dr. Carole M. Berotte Joseph, president of Bronx Community College.  “The Upward Bound program will offer a variety of services to students in grades 9 – 12 who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.  Many are first-generation college aspirants.  This grant will allow us to support them in high school, through graduation, and into the college of their choice.”

“The best resource the Bronx has for a bright future are its children,” added Congressman Serrano. “Despite the disadvantages that some start with, time and again, Bronx kids have gone on to huge accomplishments. The Upward Bound program will ensure that children over the next several years are given the support and help that they need to go on to successful secondary education careers and ultimately successful lives. There is nothing better that we can do for our community than to help our children to succeed. 

Serrano Runs in Two Races

Recently, Congressman Serrano participated in two 5K runs in the Bronx. First, on April 28, Serrano joined more than five thousand other runners for the Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo. Then, on May 5 he participated in the 34th Annual Bronx Community College 5K. "It is always a joy to join so many other runners in the Bronx," said Serrano. "Running is a good way to get outside and see the borough and these events are a great way to encourage people to exercise and look out for their health."

Serrano running the Run for the Wild 5k

Grant

Youth Empowerment Grant

Deadline: Jun 08, 2012

The Department of Health and Human Services's Office of Minority Health, recently announced the availability of grant funding under the Youth Empowerment Program to help reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. Planned programs should strive to achieve a large-scale effect with evidence-based approaches to improving youth health outcomes. Institutions of higher education, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations are all encouraged to apply.

For more information about this grant please visit the grants website.

For more information about other federal grants please visit grants.gov.