The Serrano Report, Vol. IX, #8
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Meets with CFPB Head
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano, along with other members of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, met with Richard Cordray, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to discuss the new agency's efforts to enforce consumer financial laws. The CFPB was created in 2010 in the wake of the financial meltdown and since then has been working to increase its capacity to cover the responsibilities given to it by Congress. The agency's overall mission is to protect consumers from any abusive and illegal financial practices, and to educate consumers so that they can make more informed financial decisions.
If you are having a problem with your mortgage, credit card, bank, or student loan, you can contact the CFPB, and if it is able, the agency will help you to resolve your problem. To find out more information about the agency, please visit its website. If you are having a problem in one of the above areas, please go to http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ or call (855) 411-2372 for either English or Spanish.
In the Bronx
Serrano Attends Naiesha Pearson Street Naming
Congressman Serrano joined NYC Council Speaker Quinn, NYC Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Maria del Carmen Arroyo, along with other community leaders and the family of Naiesha Pearson, to commemorate Naiesha by naming Brook Avenue at 139th Street in her honor as Naiesha (Nana) Pearson Place.
"Naiesha was only 10 years old when she was shot seven years ago," said Serrano after the event. "It was important for us to come together during the week of her 17th birthday to honor her memory and once again commit ourselves to doing everything we can to end gun violence, and violence in general, in our community. This child taken from us will not be forgotten."
Serrano at the street naming ceremony
Grant
Combating Gang and Gun Violence Grant
Deadline: June 14, 2012
The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Department of Justice recently announced the availability of funding under Project Safe Neighborhoods to develop plans to reduce gang and gun violence. The program is aimed at developing partnerships in communities to help construct long-term strategies to reduce violence. State and local governments, educational institutions and community organizations are all encouraged to apply.
For more information about this grant please see the full announcement (PDF).
For more information about other federal grants please visit grants.gov.