The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #1
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Extends Sympathies to Haiti, Supports Aid
Last week, after the earthquake in Haiti, Congressman Serrano extended his sympathies to the country and again joined other Members of Congress in a letter calling on the administration to extend Temporary Protected Status to Haitians in the United States. This step, which was taken by the administration shortly after the Congressional letter, allows Haitians living and working in the United States to remain here for the next 18 months so that they can send money home to their families to help the devastated nation.
“Like people around the world, when I watched the images of suffering in Haiti after the devastating earthquake, I felt a deep sense of dread for the Haitian people in coming days and weeks," said Serrano after the earthquake. "A country with such impoverishment and lack of resources cannot be expected to respond in a meaningful way to save lives. The world community, led by the United States, must step into that vacuum and provide immediate assistance and relief.
“My heart goes out to the long-suffering Haitian people as they deal with this new crisis. Like my colleagues in the Congress, I stand ready to help in any way that I can. I also urge the executive branch to move with extraordinary speed to provide the crucial resources and expertise needed to stave off a larger humanitarian disaster.”
Serrano Meets with Secretary Geithner
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, Congressman Serrano met with Treasury Secretary Geithner and they discussed numerous issues, including TARP, the ongoing problem of home foreclosures, and the need to provide assistance to low-income taxpayers. Congressman Serrano told the Secretary that he looked forward to working together to address these important issues in the coming months.
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Serrano with Secretary Geithner after their meeting |
In the Bronx
Serrano, Crowley Commend New Agreement on NYC School PCB Clean Up
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano, along with colleague Congressman Joe Crowley, acknowledged as an important first step the agreement on PCB contamination in schools between the Environmental Protection Agency and the NYC Department of Education. The agreement, which was announced on Thursday, requires New York City to proceed with a pilot study testing PCB contamination in five schools and produce a plan for remediation that can be applied citywide.
Last year, Serrano and Crowley inserted language into a FY2010 appropriations bill that instructed the EPA to study and issue recommendations for cleaning up PCB contamination in schools. A number of schools in New York City, including several in the Bronx, were recently found to have PCB-laden window caulk. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs – industrial chemicals now no longer in use – have been found to have harmful health effects, especially among children.
“Today’s announcement shows that the light Joe Crowley and I shed on this problem has moved the federal government to take action,” said Congressman Serrano. “We asked the EPA to take steps to study and help develop a solution to this pressing issue. They have taken the first step today, and we look forward to quick progress towards a solution that ensures our children’s safety from PCBs.”
Grant Opportunities
Women's Health Grant
Application Deadline: February 26, 2010
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) recently announced the availability of funding to develop community based models that improve delivery of care to women in the area of reproductive health. The Best Practices in Women’s Health program pilots best-practice clinical models across a comprehensive set of preventive services to improve health care quality, efficiency and transparency on the community level. State and local governments, and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity please visit the HRSA website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.