The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #22

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Applauds Passage of 9/11 Health Bill

Congressman Serrano voted with the majority of the House on Wednesday to pass H.R. 847 – the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

“I am so pleased that we have finally moved to take care of the heroes that helped with the cleanup after 9/11 as they continue to suffer from their patriotic service to our City and nation,” said Serrano after the vote. “It has been a long fight, but we have proven that despite the challenges thrown up by opponents of this bill, the majority of the House still believes that we must ensure that those who helped our nation in the aftermath of 9/11 are fairly treated.”

H.R. 847 provides funding for a health program to monitor and treat responders and community residents for health conditions related to the terrorist attacks. It also reopens the September 11, 2001 Victim Compensation Fund to provide monetary compensation for those physically injured by the attacks or by response activities and debris removal. The bill, which would cost $7.4 billion over the next ten years, is paid for by a provision preventing foreign multinational firms that are incorporated in tax haven countries from avoiding tax on income earned in the U.S.

Serrano Honored by DC City Council

Last week, Congressman Serrano was honored by the District of Columbia City Council for helping to end harmful Congressional restrictions on the city’s activities. Serrano, through his chairmanship of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services, oversees the federal payment to D.C. In this role, he has spent the past several years removing a thicket of social policy restrictions that were applied to DC in past Congresses. The City Council recognized Congressman Serrano with a resolution praising his work and thanking him for his dedication to their city’s well-being.

“I have been working to free the District of Columbia from Congressional meddling for several years now, and we have had some successes that have helped your city with its bid for autonomy and fair treatment,” said Congressman Serrano at the ceremony. “I count freeing you of restrictions on syringe exchange, medical marijuana implementation, same-sex partnership registries, and local abortion funding, as some of my greatest achievements in this chairmanship. Like my beloved Puerto Rico, another U.S. territory with second-class political treatment, D.C. deserves to be treated like every other state in the Union. There cannot be citizens of our nation who are afforded fewer rights or subjected to special burdens. As I continue to chair the subcommittee, I promise to continue to work to ensure you have no restrictions that other states do not have.”

Serrano Speaks at Legal Services Corporation

On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano spoke at the Legal Services Corporation’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.  Serrano spoke about the importance the LSC has to Hispanics, and how future challenges can be met.

“Equal access to our legal system is the essence of the American system of democracy,” said Serrano.  “It is fundamentally unfair to limit access to justice only to those who can afford it, rights only to those who can pay for them, and benefits only to those who can argue for them. By representing those in need, you are all patriots, because you are strengthening our constitutional system.” 

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) was formed in 1974 to provide civil legal aid to the poor and promote equal access to justice for all Americans.  Among many other topics, legal services providers deal with cases involving families, housing, and income support.  The LSC provides significant funding for non-profit legal aid programs throughout the nation, including Legal Services NYC.

In the Bronx

Serrano Honors Bronx Veterans

On Saturday, Congressman Serrano honored Bronx veterans on the occasion of the Third Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade, a day of celebration and festivities that honor veterans from across the Bronx. Now in its third year, this event is organized by the Bronx Veterans Parade Committee (BVPC), an organization made up of Bronx veterans that advocates for local veterans’ issues.

“It is often said that our nation’s veterans are the best we have to offer as a country. Our soldiers and veterans are ambassadors to the world and defenders of our homeland,” said Serrano in a statement. “Supporting them is...a full time responsibility, and I am most proud that we now have an organization dedicated to helping all Bronx veterans receive the credit and gratitude they deserve.

“The BVPC seeks to bring veterans from our borough together to tackle many of the challenges facing this community as a whole -- challenges relating to housing and homelessness, mental and physical well-being, and the provision of benefits owed to men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform.  In addition to addressing these issues, the BVPC also conducts community outreach to ensure that no veteran in our borough is without the services they might need.”

Serrano Pays Tribute to 100 Years of Community Healthcare

On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano praised Union Community Health Center (UCHC) for 100 years of service to the Bronx.  Located at the former Union Hospital on East 188th Street, UCHC, a non-profit health center, also operates three satellite medical offices across the borough and last year conducted nearly 140,000 medical visits among Bronx residents.

“The centenary mark is a remarkable achievement for any organization, but for a community medical center to reach this milestone is even more special,” said Serrano in a statement. “It means that entire generations of residents of this community have had a place to turn when they are in need of care.  Such longevity and permanence are important to any community, but particularly this one, which has undergone such dramatic changes over the past 100 years.”

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