The Serrano Report, Vol. VIII, #13
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Votes to Leave Afghanistan/Libya
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano supported several amendments to the annual defense authorization bill to limit our overseas military commitments. He voted in favor of an amendment to limit the Authorization for Use of Military Force, which currently gives the President wide latitude to initiate military engagements, an amendment to severely reduce our troop levels in Afghanistan, and an amendment to prohibit ground forces in Libya. All of these were strongly opposed by Republicans and varying numbers of Democrats, and all failed to pass.
"We all know that these are difficult economic times," said Serrano after the vote. "Yet my colleagues continue to oppose any limitation to our ongoing wars. At some point we need to realize that all these foreign military commitments are counterproductive and are far too costly to continue."
The underlying defense bill passed, with Serrano voting against it, and will now go to the Senate for its consideration.
Serrano-Sponsored Study Shows Hate Crimes Against Latinos on the Rise
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano highlighted the preliminary conclusions of a study by the Justice Department, which shows that hate crimes against Latinos have been rising over the past several years. Serrano inserted language requiring the Department of Justice to perform the study in a fiscal year 2010 appropriations bill. Serrano called the preliminary findings “deeply troubling” and “a call to action.”
“The Justice Department study which I asked to have carried out has a very disturbing message: Latinos are increasingly under violent attack in our nation,” said Serrano. “Anecdotally, while we have known that this was going on, this study quantifies and proves that we have a big problem on our hands. We also know that a great number of these sorts of crimes go unreported, so I am sure that this report only is scratching the surface of this problem.
“As members of our community have begun to live in places where traditionally we have not lived, we are encountering violence. This is unacceptable. But perhaps more unacceptable is the finding that this increasing trend is most apparent in states where Latinos already make up a large percentage of the population, like California and Texas.
“Our legislatures, law enforcement agencies and Congress must step up and take clear, bold steps to put an end to this violence. There cannot be a silent acceptance of these types of hate crimes and they must be aggressively prosecuted. Latinos, like other minority groups, deserve to live free of fear and persecution in our nation. Whether they are here with or without documents, we must protect them from attacks—wherever they live.
“Part of our national heritage is our tradition of welcoming the newly arrived, and ensuring that they can thrive wherever they settle in our nation. We must continue to uphold that tradition and act swiftly to stamp out violence against any one group.”
The researchers performing the study recently presented preliminary findings on the first phase of the study to the National Institute of Justice. The report focused on four states: California, Texas, New Jersey, and Michigan. The researchers plan to conduct a second stage of the study, consisting of fieldwork and further surveys in four original states, and also in Arizona.
The study briefing and preliminary findings can be found at the National Insitute of Justice's website.
In the Bronx
Serrano Applauds City Plan to Hasten Waste Transfer Station Changes
Last month, Congressman Serrano learned that the City of New York’s fiscal budget included delaying the construction timeline of seven Marine Transfer Stations. In response, he wrote to the Mayor’s office sharing his concerns about the impact of this delay. "If a disproportionate share of waste transfer stations continue to be located in the Bronx, it means that the associated problems of pollution causing truck traffic and degraded air quality will also remain centered in the Bronx," wrote Serrano. "This is not acceptable. All of the boroughs produce trash and all should have an equal responsibility to share in the burdens of how we dispose of this trash."
Last Thursday, the Mayor’s office responded to the letter, explaining that they will accelerate funding so that construction for the waste transfer stations in other boroughs can begin sooner. "This is good news," said Serrano in response to the letter. "For too long the Bronx has carried a disproportionate share of the burden, but with vocal, tireless efforts from our local environmental justice advocates it looks like we will finally see an improvement in the situation."
Reps. Serrano and Velázquez urge Governor Cuomo to withdraw from Secure Communities program
Last week, Congressman Serrano and Congresswoman Velázquez sent a letter to governor Cuomo urging him to withdraw New York State from the controversial Secure Communities program. The program is an immigration enforcement system that subjects every person who has been arrested to an automatic civil immigration status check. The original goal of the program was to predominantly remove people with criminal records, although as the program has expanded it has become clear that the majority of people removed from the country are not dangerous criminals.
The letter underscored how Secure Communities, in addition to not targeting violent offenders, undermines the ability of police to keep communities safe. "When local police are serving as the arm of immigration enforcement, immigrants are less likely to cooperate as victims or witnesses in serious criminal investigations," said Serrano. "Secure Communities undermines the critical work that we as elected officials have undertaken for so long to protect due process, end racial profiling, and restore trust in the police and our criminal justice system."
As of today, 27 of New York State’s 62 counties have activated the Secure Communities program.
Congressman Serrano awarded the President’s Medal by Hostos Community College
Last Friday Hostos Community College awarded Congressman Serrano their highest honor, the President’s Medal, for his unwavering support of higher education.
|
|
|
Congressman Serrano with Félix V. Matos Rodriguez, President of Hostos Community College, at the awards ceremony |
Grant Opportunities
Elderly Housing Grant
Application Deadline: June 23, 2011
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced the availability of capital funding for organizations that provide housing with supportive services for the elderly. Housing is available to families with one member at least 62 years of age. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply in partnership with other entities.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit HUD's website. To apply for the grant please visit grants.gov here.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.