The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #14
On Capitol Hill
House Votes to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
On Thursday, during consideration of the fiscal year 2011 Defense Authorization Bill, the House voted to repeal the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell," which has been in place since 1993 and prevents gay men and women from serving openly in the military. Congressman Serrano joined his colleagues in voting to end the policy. The measure passed 234-194 and was largely along party lines although five Republicans voted to end the policy and twenty-six Democrats voted to continue it. "We never should have implemented this discriminatory policy, and it is well past time we repealed it," said Serrano after the vote. "To continue a policy that requires honorable men and women in the armed services to live a lie in order to serve their country is reprehensible. I am pleased that we finally ended 'don't ask, don't tell'."
Voting on final passage of the underlying bill is not expected until Friday afternoon. Once the bill is considered by the Senate and signed into law, the change in 'don't ask, don't tell' won't be implemented until the military has finished reviewing the impact of changing the policy. This review is not expected to be completed until the end of the year and any policy changes would likely not happen until some time next year.
9/11 Heath Bill Passes Key House Panel
On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano joined other New York City Representatives in applauding the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The bill, would provide funding for comprehensive health care and compensation for the first responders and survivors that became sick as a result of 9/11.
“The Energy and Commerce Committee honored all our 9/11 responders and survivors by voting to include everyone that helped in the aftermath. We owe support to all those who helped at Ground Zero and I’m proud to have been part of the effort to make sure that their health concerns are properly taken care of. The 9/11 attacks brought our nation together and we should not let the passage of time allow us to become divided on questions related to that awful day,” said Congressman Serrano.
The bill now awaits consideration by the full House, and passage of a companion bill in the Senate.
In the Bronx
Two Bronx Teachers Receive Congressional Fellowships
Last week, the Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives announced that it had selected two teachers from Congressman Serrano’s district to participate in the annual House Fellows Program this summer. The two public school teachers, Charles Zappa from the School for Excellence on the Morris Campus and Nate Cole from Validus Preparatory Academy, a new fitness-themed secondary school on Bathgate Avenue, will participate in the program’s first session, June 28 - July 2, 2010.
The summer of 2010 will mark the Office of the Historian’s 6th Annual House Fellowship program. According to Deputy House Historian, Dr. Fred W. Beuttler, “The teachers will experience the House firsthand and then return to their respective schools to share their insights with their students, fellow teachers, and administrators.” Over the next 5 years, the Office of the Historian plans to invite teachers from every congressional district to participate in the program.
Congressman Serrano extended his congratulations to the two teachers. “Charley Zappa served his country in Vietnam and continues to serve his community every day as an outstanding history teacher at the School for Excellence.” Zappa, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who also holds a graduate degree in education from Lehman College, worked in publishing before becoming a teacher.
“Nate Cole has also devoted his career to the service of others. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and a basketball coach before joining the staff at Validus. I am proud to host both Nate and Charley as House Fellows this summer and I know that they will represent our district well. “
The Office of the House Historian was established in April 2005 when then House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert appointed Dr. Robert V. Remini, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, as Historian of the House, and Dr. Fred W. Beuttler as Deputy Historian.
Serrano District Office Moving
On Tuesday, June 1st, Congressman Serrano’s district office will close and relocate to a new, permanent address on the fourth floor of 1231 Lafayette Avenue (view location on Google Maps). The new space, which is located in the historic American Banknote Building, will house Serrano’s Bronx staff and be the new location for official events and daily constituent services. Constituent services will resume at the new location on Monday, June 7th.
The new district office is near the Longwood Avenue stop on the #6 Lexington Avenue IRT. Visitors may also take #6 bus to Hunts Point and Garrison Avenues and walk two blocks south on Garrison to the building’s entrance.
Grant Opportunities
Occupational Safety Grant
Application Deadline: July 2, 2010
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced the availability of funds to assist nonprofit organizations in developing their capacity to provide occupational safety and health training. The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program makes both pilot and developmental grants that help organizations assess and formulate a plan for providing full scale safety and health education programs to their employees. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please click here (PDF).
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.