The Serrano Report, Vol. VII, #9
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Chairs Supreme Court Hearing
On Thursday, April 15th, Congressman Serrano chaired a hearing on the fiscal year 2011 budget of Supreme Court. Testifying before the committee were Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Clarence Thomas. Although the Capitol Building and Supreme Court building are across the street from one another, the hearing is one of the few official interactions between the Supreme Court and Members of Congress.
“These annual hearings are a rare and important opportunity for our two branches of government to interact,” said Serrano. “These hearings provide a valuable chance not just to help us understand the Supreme Court’s budgetary needs, but for the nation’s highest Court to discuss issues affecting the Judiciary as a whole. Hopefully, our two branches get to know one another a little better as well.”
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Serrano questioning Justice Thomas during the hearing. The prominent 42 at Serrano's place was to honor Jackie Robinson, who 63 years ago on April 15th, 1947 broke the color line in Major League Baseball. Serrano opened the hearing by paying tribute to Robinson. |
Although the two Justices appearing before the subcommittee were there to talk about the Supreme Court’s budget request, the hearing ranged over a number of issues, including: the videotaping of the Supreme Court’s oral arguments, the characteristics of a new Supreme Court Justice, and diversity among law clerks at the Supreme Court and at lower levels of the federal judiciary. Serrano vowed to push the lower courts to increase the diversity of law clerks, where statistics show that minorities are vastly under-represented as a proportion of the population.
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Serrano speaking with Justice Breyer, Justice Thomas and Ranking Member Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) after the hearing |
In the Bronx
Recent Serrano Events
Over the past two weeks Congressman Serrano attended and spoke at a variety of important openings in the Bronx. Below are pictures from the opening of a Civil Rights exhibit at the Bronx Museum, the launch for the City's waterfront planning process, and the ribbon cutting for Macombs Dam Park.
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Serrano with George Hulse, Vice President for External Affairs, Health First, and Holly Block, Executive Director of The Bronx Museum of the Arts at the opening of the Bronx Museum’s “Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956 - 1968”, March 28th, 2010 |
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Serrano with Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) at Mill Pond Park for the launch of New York City’s comprehensive waterfront planning process |
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Serrano delivering remarks at Macombs Dam Park ribbon-cutting ceremony. Seated behind Serrano are (from l to r): Thomas Balsley, Thomas Balsley Associates; Major General Nathaniel James of the 369th Regiment Veterans Association; and Adrian Benepe, NYC Parks Commissioner |
Serrano Urges Bronx Residents to Fill Out and Return Census Forms
This week, Congressman Serrano is reminding all Bronx residents to remember to fill out and return their 2010 Census form if they have not already done so. Forms that are not received by the Census Bureau by April 20th will necessitate a follow-up visit to that household.
“If you have not already done so, I ask that you fill out and mail in your 2010 Census questionnaire,” said Serrano. “These last few hours are crucial to helping to get an accurate count of our community. Sending the form back is the easiest, cheapest, and least-time consuming method of helping the Bronx get its fair share of more than $400 billion in federal funding.”
The 2010 Census form has only 10 questions, and takes only 10 minutes to complete. The information given is completely confidential, and by law cannot be shared with other federal agencies.
You can view the Bronx’s response rates, and compare them to 2000 at the following link: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/
In May, the Census Bureau will begin follow-up visits for households that have not responded.
Grant Opportunities
American Youth Leadership Program
Application Deadline: May 28, 2010
The U.S. Department of State recently announced the availability of funds to support short term exchange programs for American high school students and educators to gain firsthand knowledge of foreign cultures and global issues. Prospective applicants will recruit youth and adult volunteers for a four week program abroad. Upon returning home, the students will be asked to explain and apply what they learned in their schools and communities. Public and state controlled institutions of higher learning, and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Department of State website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.