The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #13
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Introduces Resolution Calling on MLB to Move All-Star Game
On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano introduced H.Res.1370, a resolution which calls upon Major League Baseball to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona.
“Major League Baseball should join the many others who have condemned the unjust and hurtful law that Arizona has passed,” said Serrano. “Arizona’s new law is at odds with Major League Baseball’s efforts to promote diversity and tolerance, and is particularly harmful to the more than 25% of major leaguers and 40% of minor-leaguers who were born outside of the United States. Moving the All-Star Game out of Arizona would send an important message that the league supports its players, and that it refuses to provide an economic boon to a state that would not welcome those same individuals were they not playing our national pastime.”
The All-Star Game is estimated to provide approximately $75 million in economic benefits to the local community it is held in. Official actions by other professional sports leagues have had a profound effect on a state’s public policies. In 1991, in the wake of voters’ rejection of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday in Arizona, the National Football League chose to move the 1993 Super Bowl to an alternate location. In 1992, in the wake of losing that large economic benefit, Arizona chose to reinstate the holiday.
“I believe that this law is unfair and unconstitutional, and that it will lead to racial profiling by law enforcement in Arizona,” said Serrano. “All of us must condemn injustice wherever and whenever it occurs.”
The Major League Baseball Players Association has condemned the new law, but Major League Baseball has yet to comment or take action.
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano was given two awards for his success in ending the ban on use of federal funds for syringe exchange programs, as well as his work to allow the District of Columbia to use its local funds for these programs. Serrano was the author of H.R. 179, the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act, which, with 117 co-sponsors, was instrumental in demonstrating the support for an end to the federal funds ban. The Labor-HHS bill for FY 2010 did not continue a blanket ban on use of federal funds, but instead left the decision to local authorities. You can watch Serrano accept the award here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz7lDC7SfFc
“For too long syringe exchange – a proven tool in the battle against HIV/AIDS—has been politicized and caught up in fears about drug use,” said Serrano. “But the science and experiences of local programs across the nation have shown that there are two basic facts about syringe exchange. First of all, we know that it reduces the transmission of HIV and hepatitis. Secondly, it does not increase drug use. With these facts in our corner, our fight was to show that federal support for these programs was not only the right thing to do, but also necessary.
“We took the first steps towards that when we lifted the ban on use of DC local funds for syringe exchange programs three years ago. When people in Congress saw how much support there was for that move, we were able to move to end the federal ban. We were able to remove the total ban in the Labor-HHS bill for FY2010, thanks to the support of all the co-sponsors of H.R. 179 and Chairman Obey.
“The awards for this success really belongs to the advocates who did so much work to educate and organize around this issue. Without their incredible work, we would never be where we are. Together, we will continue this work because we know that it saves lives.”
The awards were presented to Congressman Serrano by the National Syringe Exchange Policy Coalition and the Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services.
Serrano Meets with Students from MS 223
Last week, Congressman Serrano met with students from MS 223, who had traveled to Washington on a school trip. "It is always a pleasure meeting with students from the Bronx," said Serrano after meeting with the students. "It's so important that they have an opportunity to learn about how our government works and appreciate the importance of their roll in it as they grow into our future leaders."
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Serrano speaking to students from MS223 on the steps of the Capitol |
Serrano Visits White House to Help Welcome President Calderón
On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano went to the White House to participate in the event welcoming President Felipe Calderón of Mexico. President Obama and President Calderón both discussed the importance of the relationship between the two countries and emphasized issues that they need to work together on. "It was a great event," said Serrano afterward. "We share a long border with Mexico and there are so many issues from immigration, to trade, to drugs that we cannot address without working closely with Mexico. I anticipate that President Obama and President Calderón will work well together to address these issues."
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Serrano and the Reverend Al Sharpton at the ceremony welcoming President Calderón |
In the Bronx
Serrano Helps Break Ground for New POTS Location
On Monday Congressman Serrano broke ground on a new facility to fight hunger in the Bronx run by Part of the Solution (POTS), a non-profit social service center. As one of the first emergency food providers located in Bronx, POTS started as a soup kitchen in 1982 but has since expanded to offer a wide array of services including case management and legal assistance, a mail center, a clothing program, and a community kitchen. Serrano, a strong supporter of POTS and its work, was on hand to help break ground for the new facility on Webster Avenue, which officials estimate will serve more than 10,000 people annually.
“At a time when many organizations are being forced to scale back their services, POTS is an example of a strong community-based organization on the ascent,” Serrano said. “POTS understands the absolute importance of treating people with dignity and human respect, regardless of their status, background, or economic condition. This new facility will help to address one of the major challenges we face in this community of food insecurity. Our neighborhoods have been stricken by hunger for too long, but through POTS’ efforts, some of the suffering associated with it is lessened.”
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Donn Dolce, POTS Board President (from l to r); Kim Latimer-Nelligan, Chief Operating Officer, Low Income Investment Fund; Congressman Serrano; Sister Mary Alice Hannan, Executive Director, POTS; Joel Rivera, City Councilman; Priscilla Almodovar, Chief Operating Officer, Community Development, Chase Bank; and Linda Gibbs, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, City of New York breaking ground for the new POTS facility |
Serrano Cuts Ribbon on Newly Renovated High Bridge Library Branch
On Saturday, Congressman Serrano helped re-open the newly renovated High Bridge Library Branch. The branch, located on 168th Street between Shakespeare and Woodycrest Avenues, had been closed for the past three years as it underwent a $7.4 million dollar renovation. The library has a collection containing more than 34,000 items, including access to 36 computers and laptops, and wireless internet service for community use.
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting, Serrano, who has been a key supporter of the project, said, “This is a great day, a great celebration. Physically and structurally speaking, this is a wonderfully beautiful building. You walk in here and want to stay here, which is exactly what we hope thousands of Bronx families will do. The resources this new library brings to our community will help people find jobs, learn to read and write, speak new languages, and stay connected with families and friends all over the world. Opening new libraries and centers like this one only make the High Bridge section of the Bronx an even more attractive destination. I am very proud of this new center and what it adds to this community.”
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Congressman Serrano at the dedication of the library with Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson (l) and Councilmember Helen Foster |
Serrano Helps Inaugurate New Scholarship Fund
On Saturday Congressman Serrano joined families from IS 116 and members of the Rafael Hernandez Middle School Alumni Group to inaugurate a new scholarship fund for Bronx students. The new fund, known as the Joe Conzo & Joe Conzo Jr. Scholarship, will go to students who attended the middle school to help them pay for college. Serrano spoke about the significance of the fund and the opportunity it brings to students.
“What a great honor, and entirely deserving, for this new scholarship to be named after the Conzo family,” Serrano said. “Knowing Joe Sr. and Jr. as I have, I know that this fund means a great deal to their family. Both men placed such a high premium on young kids from the Bronx having every opportunity to realize their dreams, and this scholarship will enable hard-working Bronx children to do just that. For a family which has already left such an impact on our borough, this scholarship is a fitting tribute.”
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Congressman Serrano with Latin music legend Joe Conzo (r) and Conzo's son, hip-hop photographer Joe Conzo, Jr. in the schoolyard of Rafael Hernandez Middle School (IS 116) |
Serrano Serves as Grand Marshal at Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade
On Sunday, Congressman Serrano acted as Grand Marshall of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade. Now in its 22nd year, the Parade honors and celebrates the Puerto Rican community in the Bronx and is held along the Grand Concourse. Serrano has participated in the Parade since its founding.
“Every year, without fail, the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade offers us something new and exciting,” Serrano said. “Some of the faces may change as we welcome new friends, but the spirit and joyousness of the occasion is always at a constant fever-pitch. I was honored to serve as Grand Marshall this year and I look forward to marching down the Concourse in many more parades to come.”
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Serrano speaking at the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade |
Serrano Reaffirms Support for Local Workers’ Right to Organize
Last Friday Congressman Serrano reaffirmed his support for workers from the Center for Family Support (CFS) as they continue to explore the possibility of forming a union. Since December 2009 workers from CFS, a city-wide organization which provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, have held discussions with representatives from CSEA Local 1000 about the process of forming a union. Last week workers held a press conference in the Bronx to raise further awareness of their ongoing efforts. Congressman Serrano issued the following statement during that event:
“I understand workers from the Center for Family Support are continuing to explore the possibility of forming a union. I wholeheartedly support the right of all workers to engage in collective bargaining, whether they work for a profit-making entity or a not-for-profit. I have long believed that workers coming together to exercise self-determination is something to be celebrated, and I look forward to a satisfactory outcome which protects workers’ rights to organize and ensures a continuity of services for my constituents.”
In January, as the organizing effort began to get underway, Serrano wrote to officials at CFS to convey his belief that “productive dialogue between management and employees over how to improve conditions for both parties is in the best interests of everyone, including the larger Bronx community.” Friday’s statement marks the second time Serrano has weighed in on behalf of the workers, and he will continue to follow the situation closely.
Grant Opportunities
Grant to Help Create Jobs in Low-Income Communities
Application Deadline: June 23, 2010
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has recently announced the availability of funding to support job creation in low-income communities. The Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) Program provides technical and / or financial assistance to private employers in the community with a business model which includes hiring low income employees. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the ACF website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.