The Serrano Report, Vol. VIII, #1
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Opposes House Repeal of Health Care Reform
On Wednesday, House Republicans passed a bill to repeal the new health-care reform law that was enacted just last year. Congressman Serrano joined all but three Democrats in voting against the measure and expressed his strong opposition to the Republican effort. The bill has been sent to the Senate for its consideration, but because the Senate is not expected to take the bill up, repeal is unlikely to succeed.
“Everyone agrees the current health-care system does not cover enough people, and is too expensive. Democrats chose to do something about this problem, and though they were invited, Republicans decided not to support the effort. Many of their ideas were included anyway, even ones that they are now speaking against.
“My district in the Bronx, like so many others, is filled with people who lack coverage and are one medical emergency away from financial ruin. That will no longer be the case—unless Republicans are successful in their rash effort to repeal the new protections that health care reform put in place.
“Republicans are using fear of the unknown to try to gather support for their effort—but they have not stated what they will “replace the bill” with. Instead, it is clear that they would take us back to the status quo before our health care bill. That is something to be frightened of.
“The positive effects for Bronx and New York families are clear and the evidence is indisputable—we are better off with health-care reform than without it,” added Serrano. “For that reason, I proudly voted against repealing health care reform and am glad to know the Senate will not take up this bill. I urge my Republican colleagues to end this effort and instead work with us on delivering jobs for the American people.”
Sargent Shriver, a driving force in the creation of the Head Start, the Legal Services Corporation and the Peace Corps, died this week on Tuesday night. Congressman Serrano mourned his death and celebrated the many things Shriver had accomplished to further justice and opportunity for the poor.
“Sargent Shriver was the best personification of President Kennedy’s call to serve our country. This extraordinary American was not only the founding director of the Peace Corps and leader of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty and director of the Special Olympics but also the United States ambassador to France and the Democratic candidate for vice president in 1972. This is not a resumé but rather the story of a life of selfless service and patriotism.
“My life was most directly touched by Sargent Shriver’s efforts as director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under President Johnson. His efforts in creating Head Start, VISTA, the Community Action Program, and Legal Services for the poor helped lift many in my community in the Bronx out of poverty, and provided them with opportunities they would not have otherwise had. Many of the programs started by Sargent Shriver are today important parts of our social safety net, and continue to provide economic and social justice opportunities.
“The little-known fact is that beyond the poverty alleviation, these programs created political power in minority communities. Before the Great Society programs, very few minorities were able to run for office and represent their communities at any level. With Sargent Shriver’s help, a whole host of salaried positions came into being at the community level, allowing Latinos and African-Americans in great numbers to help lead and change their communities for the first time. There are many minority politicians and public servants from my generation who got their start in those organizations, and I am one of them. We owe Sargent Shriver a huge debt for his vision and implementation of the programs that enabled this empowerment of Latinos and African-Americans.
“I was lucky enough to get the chance to personally express our gratitude to Sargent Shriver several years ago—and he was characteristically gracious and humble about his legacy. We lost a true patriot and public servant with his passing, and yet we are very lucky that the effects of his work live on and continue to change lives for the better in our nation. He will be missed but certainly not forgotten.”
Serrano Honors Alomar for Election to Hall
Roberto Alomar, a Puerto Rican, born in Ponce, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in early January and Congressman Serrano congratulated him on being inducted into Cooperstown. Alomar played 17 years of Major League Baseball and is widely regarded as one of the best second basemen to play the game. Born into a baseball family, both his father, Sandy Alomar, Sr. and his brother, Sandy Alomar, Jr. had long, successful Major League careers.
“To many, being a 2-time World Series champion, a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove recipient and a four-time Silver Slugger, in addition to batting over .300 nine times would represent a great career, but for Roberto Alomar, these were just milestones along his route to the Hall of Fame. His career had all the hallmarks of a Hall-of-Famer, and the Baseball Writers’ Association vote made it official,” said Serrano. “As a baseball fan and a proud puertorriqueño, I am very happy for him, and congratulate him on this historic moment.“
In the Bronx
On Monday, Congressman Serrano joined millions of Americans in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After attending an event organized by the Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network to honor Martin Luther King Day, Serrano reflected on the memory of Dr. King and the message he carried of love, peace, and unity.
“Our nation observes Martin Luther King Day on the third Monday of every January but he is always with us,” Serrano said. “Dr. King moved this country in the direction it needed to go and there will never be another like him. I often remark that Martin Luther King Day becomes more important with each year that passes since he was taken from us. We continue to face complex challenges both in society and in governance; we must therefore continue to summon Dr. King’s wisdom as often as possible. His words have more than stood up over time, they remain profoundly instructive, and we must continue to pass his lessons on to future generations.”
Grant Opportunities
Drug Free Communities Grant
Application Deadline: March 18, 2011
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) recently announced the availability of funding to support the reduction of substance abuse among young people and adults. The Drug Free Communities program aims to strengthen relationships and collaborative efforts between community based organizations to improve health and wellness options at the community level for people battling drug addiction. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, visit the ONDCP website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.