The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #19

In the Bronx

Serrano Rallies at MLB Headquarters against AZ Law

Last Thursday, Congressman Serrano spoke at a rally in front of Major League Baseball’s headquarters in Manhattan to reaffirm his opposition to the decision by the league to keep the 2011 All Star Game in Arizona.  The rally was organized by the NY Immigration Coalition in response to MLB’s continued refusal to relocate the game in light of SB 1070, a recently passed immigration law in Arizona which many believe encourages racial profiling and harassment. 

Serrano has been outspoken about SB 1070, calling the law unconstitutional, and has written Commissioner Bud Selig two letters in recent months asking MLB to reconsider its position.  Serrano has noted that MLB’s inaction is all the more remarkable given that one-third of major league players are Latinos, and 27% of all players were born in foreign countries. 

SB 1070 is scheduled to go into effect on July 29th.  The U.S. Justice Department has, however, asked a judge to block its implementation on the grounds that SB 1070 preempts federal law.  Last week Serrano declared his support for the Justice Department’s case (see the article below in the 'On Capitol Hill' section).

Serrano Applauds Sale of Distressed Buildings to New Owner

This week Congressman Serrano expressed his satisfaction at the news that a collection of severely distressed buildings in the Bronx had completed their transfer to a new owner.  The Ocelot buildings, as they are known, have been at the center of a prolonged ownership saga after the previous owners, Ocelot Capital Group, walked away from the buildings in 2008, leaving them in a state of extreme disrepair.  This week the buildings were sold at a foreclosure auction to Omni New York, a development corporation co-founded by former Mets first baseman Mo Vaughn.  Omni completed the first step of their takeover in December 2009 by purchasing the mortgages for the properties.  With their successful bid at the foreclosure auction this week, Omni acquired full ownership of the building. 

“I am gratified that Omni NY will be the full, outright owner of the troubled Ocelot properties and can begin to really turn these buildings around,” said Serrano.  “We know that the tenants have suffered for years through no fault of their own, but we are confident that Mo Vaughn’s outfit will be a positive influence on the properties.  I look forward to touring the newly refurbished buildings in the near future and celebrating with the residents.”

Serrano played an active part in this process by advocating on behalf of the Ocelot tenants for nearly two years. 

Serrano Marks Launch of  EV Charging Station Program

On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano applauded the dedication of the first of over 100 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to be installed across New York City.  The stations are part of Coulomb Technologies’ ChargePoint America Program, a federally supported $37 million dollar program to increase the infrastructure network necessary for large-scale adoption of electric vehicle technology in the United States.  To this end, Coulomb Technologies plans to install 4,6000 new public charging stations in select geographic regions by October 2011, to complement their existing ChargePoint Network.

“My district is the epicenter of the childhood asthma epidemic in New York.  There are plenty of good reasons for fleets and individuals to make the switch to electric vehicles, but the respiratory health of our children is paramount to me,” Serrano said this week.  “I applaud Coulomb for getting here first and for recognizing how well-positioned New York is for broad EV adoption.  To speed us forward, I have called for the deployment of 24,000 new charging stations across the country in my e-Drive bill—HR 4399. Today, I am happy to see progress toward that goal and toward a clean energy future.”

The newly installed public car-charging station is located at an Edison Properties parking facility on Ninth Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets in Manhattan.  More stations are scheduled to open throughout the five boroughs in the coming months, with New Yorkers being able to locate the charging station nearest to them online or via their mobile phone. 

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Commends Federal Challenge to Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law

Serrano Mourns Loss of Yankee Owner

This week, Congressman Serrano mourned the death of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner. Serrano has represented the Bronx in Congress and the New York State Assembly for more than 35 years, and his districts have always included Yankee Stadium.

“As a die-hard Yankees fan, I am in mourning today over the loss of George Steinbrenner,” said Serrano. “He joins the other Yankee legends in heaven today, and will go down as one of the most important figures both in Yankee and baseball history. The work that he did to return our beloved franchise to its historical dominance will be remembered as one of the more remarkable turnarounds in baseball history.

“I was just starting my career in politics when Steinbrenner took charge at the House That Ruth Built. At the time, the club was not living up to its potential. Fans wondered if Steinbrenner’s tenure as owner would last and whether it would return our club to glory. It took a few years but he did just that.

“In recent years, Steinbrenner also made the right decision to keep the Yankees in the Bronx. Many communities around the region would have given anything to lure the Yankees away, but Steinbrenner realized that the Bronx Bombers were more than just a team—they were the embodiment of a New York spirit. This team has been a part of our neighborhood and our hearts since they arrived in 1923.

“Steinbrenner’s work with the Yankees can only leave you with one conclusion; he was a great owner and great Yankee. We will miss “the Boss” but his legacy is living on, as last year’s World Series title proves. My thoughts are with his family in this time of mourning and we thank them for sharing George Steinbrenner with us these many years. He created many happy memories for Yankee fans around the globe and we salute him for all he did.”

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