The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #18
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Votes to End War in Afghanistan
On July 1, 2010, Congressman Serrano voted for three different amendments to H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2010, in an effort to end our involvement in Afghanistan.
He was one of only 25 Members who voted in favor of an amendment to completely strike military funding for Afghanistan from the Supplemental, which would have led to a rapid withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Congressman Serrano also voted, along with 99 other Members, in favor of an amendment to prevent any further increases in troops and to limit war funding to only those activities which facilitate the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Finally, Congressman Serrano voted in favor of an amendment that would have required the President to provide a specific plan to Congress for the redeployment of troops from Afghanistan. A total of 162 Members voted in favor of this amendment.
"All three of these were important votes," said Serrano. "It was important that we could express our concern about our continued involvement in Afghanistan and show that there is growing unease about whether we are on the right path there. Personally, I think it is time to end our wars overseas and bring our brave troops home."
Serrano Speaks out against Arizona Bill in CJS Markup
On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) debated and passed the fiscal year 2011 Appropriations Bill. Contrary to tradition, Republicans offered several controversial amendments to the legislation. Most of these amendments were defeated. Congressman Serrano forcefully spoke in opposition to an amendment that would have denied funds to the Department of Justice’s efforts to have Arizona’s recently passed immigration law declared unconstitutional.
"Just because a state acts does not automatically make that action constitutional," said Serrano. "The Department of Justice has historically been at the forefront of protecting the constitutional rights of citizens from infringement by the states. We only need to look at the struggle for voting rights to see the importance of the Department of Justice in preventing discrimination. This amendment, like Arizona’s law, is opposed to basic American values of fairness and justice. That is wrong, and the amendment should be defeated." After debating the amendment it was defeated, largely along party lines.
This was the first step in the appropriations process for the legislation, which provides funding for the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau, NASA, the Legal Services Corporation, and several other federal agencies. It will next be considered by the full committee.
Serrano Welcomes Bronxites to DC
On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano met with two groups of constituents who were in DC. First he met with two Bronx high school teachers who are in Washington to participate in a fellowship program with the House of Representatives. Later in the day, he met with a group of students from The Bronx Museum’s Teen Council.
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Serrano meeting with the students from the Bronx Museum's Teen Council on their first trip to Washington, DC led by Executive Director, Holly Block and artist/educators Calder Zwicky and Hatuey Ramos Fermin |
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Serrano meeting with House Fellows Nate Cole (left) and Charley Zappa |
In the Bronx
Serrano Calls on NYC Parks to Honor Bernie Williams
On Wednesday, Congressman José E. Serrano sent a letter to NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe asking him to consider celebrating the many contributions of Puerto Ricans to the borough of The Bronx by honoring legendary Yankee outfielder Bernie Williams at the new Heritage Field, which is currently under construction at the site of the original Yankees Stadium. Serrano wrote that due to his outstanding baseball record, statistics, and exemplary off-field performance, Williams was the candidate best suited for such an honor.
"I feel that recognizing Bernie Williams at Heritage Field will appropriately acknowledge the Puerto Rican contributions to the Bronx," said Serrano. "For many years now, Puerto Ricans have helped shape our borough’s culture and identity. Bernie was not only an excellent baseball player for the Yankees, but with the way he carried himself on and off the field and with the way he treated his many fans he was also a wonderful role model for our borough and for the entire Puerto Rican community."
Please see the full text of the letter below:
June 30, 2010
Commissioner Adrian Benepe
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
The Arsenal, Central Park
830 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Dear Commissioner Benepe:
Since the mid-20th century the Puerto Rican community has been an integral part of the Bronx’s culture and identity. No one in New York is prouder of their borough than we are, and no one is more dedicated to our greatest pastime, baseball, than us. We are true Yankees fans. For this reason I ask that you consider honoring the Puerto Rican contribution to the Bronx, and to the Bronx Bombers, in some way, at the new Heritage Field currently under construction at the site of the original Yankees Stadium.
In my view, the best way to acknowledge the Puerto Rican/Yankee connection would be to recognize a notable Puerto Rican Yankee in some way at Heritage Field. You should look for someone who has been a role model for our community, someone who many Bronx residents look up to, and someone that we are all proud of. There is no better suited candidate than former Major League Baseball outfielder Mr. Bernie Williams.
Mr. Williams was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and signed with the Yankees AA team in 1985. He debuted in the Major Leagues on July 7, 1991 and last played for the Yankees on October 1, 2006. There is no question that he was an asset to this historic ball club. During his career he was a five-time All-Star selection, a four-time World Series champion, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, a Silver Slugger award winner, a 1998 AL batting champion, and an ALCS Most Valuable Player.
Such dedication will not be overlooked by the many children, teenagers, and adults that will enjoy this park. Mr. Williams is very well known in the community, and is considered to be one of the best Puerto Rican baseball players the Yankees have ever had, and undoubtedly one of baseball’s greatest. Although there have been many great players who have donned the pinstripes, Mr. William’s statistics are comparable with the best. With this ball club he ranks 5th in hits, 6th in games played, 6th in homeruns, and 6th in runs batted in.
Mr. Williams has always been a gentleman who embraces his fans with open arms and who never forgets to thank them for their long years of support. He is a class act, and because of the way he has conducted his off-field life; he is an outstanding role model to our young people. Our community and our borough admire Mr. Williams not only for his great baseball legacy but also for the inspiration he provides many Bronx residents.
Currently Bernie Williams has taken a new path in life by pursuing his musical career. With this new talent he has performed in numerous charity events. In September 2009, he was nominated for a Latin Grammy for his Moving Forward album.
Honoring Bernie Williams in some way at Heritage Field will not only give recognition to his great work for the Yankees, but would also be seen as an appreciation for the many Puerto Ricans and Latinos who have helped shape our borough and community.
Sincerely,
Congressman José E. Serrano
Serrano Salutes Retiring Community Board Two Leaders
On Wednesday, June 30th, Congressman Serrano sent a letter of commendation to Community Board 2 District Manager John Robert and Board 2’s long-serving Staff Analyst Andrea Eisner on the occasion of their final full board meeting, capping over thirty years of service to the South Bronx. In the letter, Serrano commended Robert and Eisner as "consummate professionals and thoughtful stewards of the public trust."
"Your quiet and ethical leadership has propelled Board Two forward through some turbulent years and many recent triumphs," the letter continued, "through drug wars and ferocious surges of arson and abandonment, and just the daily slog of doing so much with a budget that could never match the aspirations you had for your office. But neither of you ever surrendered to the cynicism that can be so corrosive when even heroic people are overwhelmed by difficult times.”
"Some who have known you over the course of your careers have seen your wisdom and your principled and always evenhanded approach shine through in countless neighborhood debates over unwanted facilities, poor planning decisions, and bad policy making. Wisdom and ethics—these are certainly rare traits in any field and some have even suggested they are particularly scarce in government today. But I believe that you have imbued your office with both of these in abundance. Anyone who has walked into your office these many years or seen you in action will intuitively grasp what it means to put the public trust above all else. Ethical leadership can't be taught, transcribed, or learned through memorization. It has to be demonstrated, witnessed, passed down, and preserved. This, I believe, you have accomplished and to me, that is your greatest legacy.”
Robert began his career as District Manager in 1990; Eisner has served as Staff Analyst since 1979. Both will retire in August.
Serrano Honors Bronx Resident on 100th Birthday
On Saturday, Congressman Serrano congratulated Mother Loretta Hodge of Greater Zion Baptist Church on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Born in 1910 in St. Thomas, Mother Hodge has been a resident of the Bronx for nearly 30 years.
In a letter to Mother Hodge, Serrano wrote that “In your lifetime, many of the events which helped form this nation transpired. Events which many of us can only read about, you were a participant.” Serrano conveyed his “deep and personal affection for our community’s elders,” and noted that “to be in possession, as you are, of so many years and memories is a rare and remarkable thing.”
Mother Hodge turned 100 years old on June 26. Greater Zion Baptist Church, her longtime place of worship, hosted a celebratory event in her honor.
Grant Opportunities
Long-Term Care for the Aging Grant
Application Deadline: August 13, 2010
The Administration on Aging (AoA) recently announced the availability of funding to help modernize long-term care for aging populations. Through information gathering, training programs, and performance standard reviews, the Strengthening the Aging Network program will help local agencies review their existing systems and create new models of participant-directed care. State and local governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the AoA website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.