The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #11

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Applauds Passage of Puerto Rico Status Bill

On Thursday, Congressman Serrano spoke in favor of and voted for H.R. 2499, ‘The Puerto Rico Democracy Act’.  Serrano applauded his colleagues for the strong vote in favor of the bill, which he co-sponsored and which enables Puerto Ricans to define the status of the island commonwealth once and for all. He was in the Speaker’s chair to gavel the vote closed as the bill passed 223-169.

“Today’s vote was a strong display on the part of the U.S. Congress that we would like to hear the opinions of the Puerto Rican people on status, while laying out a process that does not favor one option or another.” said Serrano on Thursday evening. “The options laid out by H.R. 2499 are fair and just.”

“For many years I have been saying that the current colonial status must change. Today the House has agreed with that position. This is a historic step.

“In the 112 years that Puerto Rico has been held as a colony and territory by the United States, never once has Congress asked respectfully the opinions of the Puerto Rican people on status. Today that long history of disrespect and poor treatment has changed. Surely all Puerto Ricans, regardless of their feelings on status, can appreciate this historic change in posture. There is no doubt that the House understands that the Puerto Rican people deserve the opportunity to speak their mind.

“Our nation owes Puerto Rico a huge debt of gratitude for all that the Puerto Rican people have contributed over the years. Today we have made a decision to show our respect for these incredible American citizens and all they have done. We have finally made a gesture that starts to erase their historic substandard treatment.”

Watch Serrano speak on the bill here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8vHAyi_LSs

Watch Serrano gavel the vote here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03K1NHn5qko

Serrano Denounces Arizona Immigration Law, Calls on MLB to Move 2011 All-Star Game from Arizona

This week, Congressman Serrano denounced the enactment of a harsh anti-immigrant bill in Arizona by that state’s legislature and governor and called for Major League Baseball to move the site of the 2011 All-Star Game from Phoenix. Under the law, which is expected to go into effect in late July or early August, law enforcement officers are required to question people about their immigration status if they have reason to believe they are undocumented.

“It is a sad day when any state makes racial profiling and discrimination the law,” said Congressman Serrano. “Our nation has a long tradition of welcoming immigrants, but the government of Arizona has turned their back on that tradition in favor of anti-immigrant grandstanding.

“Laws like this give greater urgency to our work to pass a humane, non-punitive comprehensive immigration reform package. The time has come for action, before this law becomes a model for other anti-immigrant activists and is replicated elsewhere.”

As a long-time baseball fan and immigrant rights supporter, Serrano followed his criticism of the new law with a call for Major League Baseball to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona. “I cannot abide the thought of a celebration like the All-Star Game being held in Phoenix next year,” said Serrano. “I wrote to Commissioner Bud Selig this week and have urged him in the strongest possible terms to move the All-Star Game to another state. With nearly 1/3 of all Major Leaguers coming from foreign countries, there is no way that a state with this discriminatory law should be the host.

“Whether a player is foreign born, or just of an ethnicity that could be targeted by this unconstitutional law, everyone should be scared of a law that empowers law enforcement to arrest people based on looks. All players, whatever their national origin, should join with citizens across this nation in saying ‘this law is wrong.’ Major League Baseball should do the same.

“I would remind MLB that in 1990, the NFL was clear in its statement against this sort of behavior when it rescinded its offer to Arizona to host Super Bowl XXVII. This came after NFL players warned that they would not play in a state that did not celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. I urge the Major Leaguers playing today to follow the lead of their NFL counterparts in taking a strong stand against racism.

 “This anti-immigrant law is unjust, wrong-headed, mean-spirited, and unconstitutional. It is important that everyone who believes in justice and our national spirit of decency speak out against this measure. MLB has a very loud megaphone and their rejection of Arizona’s action would be an important demonstration to the state that we do not tolerate such displays of intolerance in our nation.”

Serrano Holds EAC Hearing

On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano held a hearing on the fiscal year 2011 budget request of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the federal agency that provides assistance and advice to states to ensure that federal elections are run in a fair, open and secure manner.  The current Chair of the EAC, Donetta Davidson, testified.

The discussion ranged over a number of election-related issues, including states’ preparations for the 2010 elections, federal efforts to help ensure that states become compliant with the Help America Vote Act, the impact of the 2010 Census on election facilities and HAVA requirements, and the ability of states to ensure that alternative language ballots and election materials are available to those who do not speak English as their first language.  Serrano expressed his continued support for robust federal assistance to states to ensure that their voting systems and processes are fair, accessible and recountable.

“The EAC is a small agency with a significant responsibility,” said Serrano.  “Fair and accurate elections are important to a democracy and the EAC has a major role to play.  All of us  want to make sure that we count every vote, and make every vote count.”

In the Bronx

Last Saturday Congressman Serrano participated in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s 5K “Run For the Wild.”  The charity event drew over 5,000 runners from 360 teams to the Bronx Zoo to raise money to help protect endangered species. "It's a great event," said Serrano. "An opportunity for the people of the Bronx to come together, raise money for a good cause, and get some exercise as well."

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