The Serrano Report, Vol. VI, #33
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Votes in Favor of Health Care Reform Bill
On Saturday, November 7th, Congressman Serrano voted in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed the House 220-215. Serrano said the passage was a “bold step on behalf of the American people” and “historic.”
“I voted in favor of the health care reform bill this evening in one of the most important votes of my 35 year career in public service,” Serrano said after the vote. “Nothing I have voted for in all those years will change more lives for the better than this bill. We spent much of the year debating the details of this important bill and the resulting legislation is quite significant.
“It is vital to remember that we are moving to ensure that people in our nation—the richest nation in the world—do not lack for health care. This is at the heart of the American promise – we are in this together and must look out for our neighbors. Health care is no exception.
“It is also important not to forget the extent to which people suffer indignities under our current patchwork of a system, which rewards all the wrong behaviors. It rewards insurance companies for NOT covering people when they are sick; it rewards paperwork and red tape; and it rewards treating sickness, not preventing it. Today we have taken a major step to undo these problems and prevent further indignities.
“For these reasons, for my Bronx constituents, for my children and grandchildren, and for the millions of Americans across the nation suffering without health care, I proudly cast my vote this evening in favor of this bill.”
The Senate is moving to consider their version of this bill, which would then have to be reconciled with the House bill.
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Serrano meeting with representatives from For a Better Bronx, the Freedom Community Center, and other members of the South Bronx Community for Health Care Reform Coalition on Wednesday to discuss their concerns about health care reform |
Serrano, House Congratulate Yankees
On Friday, November 6th, the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 893, a resolution introduced by Congressman Serrano to congratulate the New York Yankees on their recent World Series victory. The resolution passed by a vote 386-17, with 11 Members of Congress voting Present. “I am excited that the House of Representatives was able to honor our Bronx Bombers for their tremendous victory in the 2009 World Series,” said Serrano. “It was an overwhelming vote, marred only by a few bitter Red Sox and Phillies fans. They’ll be even sadder next year when the Yankees repeat!”
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Rep. Robert Brady of Pennsylvania paying off his World Series bet with Serrano in the form of Philly cheesesteaks |
Serrano Condemns Murder of Gay Teen in Puerto Rico
This week, Congressman Serrano denounced the brutal murder of a gay Puerto Rican teenager, Jorge Steven López Mercado.
“I strongly condemn this horrible crime and urge that it be treated as the heinous hate-crime that it is,” said Serrano. “Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to address just this type of offense. I urge the federal government to provide Puerto Rican authorities with assistance in this investigation. The parties responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of either Puerto Rican law or our new federal hate crimes laws.
“Gay teens in Puerto Rico, like gay teens anywhere, must be able to live in peace and feel safe in their communities. As a tolerant society, we must be vigilant about the rights of all and always ensure that the law is on the side of the vulnerable and the victimized.”
In the Bronx
Serrano Celebrates Citizens Advice Bureau Becoming BronxWorks
On Friday, Congressman Serrano joined representatives from the institution formerly known as Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to announce its new name and new administrative headquarters. Now known as BronxWorks, the nearly forty-year-old nonprofit organization underwent a renaming process in order to better reflect its scope of services and its diverse client base. CAB first opened its doors in the Bronx in 1972 and has since grown into an organization with more than twenty-five locations in the borough that serve more than 40,000 people a year. Speaking of the newly-named BronxWorks, Serrano said, “This is one of the greatest organizations I think we have in the country.”
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BronxWorks Executive Director Carolyn McLaughlin (from l to r), Congressman Serrano, Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene and Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson participating in the ribbon cutting at the renaming ceremony |
Serrano Participates in Graduation Ceremony at BCC
On Friday, Congressman Serrano participated in a graduation ceremony at Bronx Community College for its highly successful Project Hire program, which teaches pre-apprenticeship training for Bronx residents in the building trades. "The Bronx Community College has a long history of contributing to our community," said Serrano after the graduation. "I was very proud to be a part of the graduation for these hardworking students and to be able to celebrate their success with them."
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Serrano alongside officials from the college and members of the 2009 Bronx Hire graduating class, including from left to right: George Sanchez, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, BCC, Luis Torres, Associate Director for Community and Public Affairs, Center for Sustainable Energy, Glenda Self, Director, Project Hire, Dr. Carolyn G. Williams, President, BCC; Carol White, Special Assistant for Community and Public Affairs, BCC; and Dr. Michael Seliger, Associate Dean for Planning and Program Development, BCC |
Grant Opportunities
Foreign Student Education
Application Deadline: January 14, 2010
The Department of State recently announced the availability of funding for the design and implementation of educational residency programs for foreign students studying U.S. history, media, and culture. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs encourages educational institutions and non-profit organizations to create in depth curriculum and course material in one of the following five subject areas: Global Environmental Issues, New Media, Religious Pluralism, Social Entrepreneurship, and Women’s Leadership. Public and private institutions of higher education and nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Department of State’s website here.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.