The Serrano Report, Vol. VIII, #4
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Calls C.R. Cuts Irresponsible and Extreme
This week, Congressman Serrano denounced the extreme cuts in the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution. "Cutting $61 billion from last year's budget will cause great damage to the agencies, departments and the American people—costing jobs and curtailing the federal government's ability to carry out their basic functions," said Serrano.
“These Tea Party-driven cuts are beyond draconian; they are irresponsible and extreme,” Serrano continued. “This is not a belt-tightening exercise, but rather an ideologically-driven attack on the core functions that American people expect their government to carry out.
“These cuts show that instead of focusing on creating jobs, the Republicans have undertaken an anti-government extremist approach, which perversely will CUT jobs by the thousands. I cannot convey more strongly how ill-advised this is.”
“This is not a scalpel approach to budget reductions—cutting where it can be absorbed without affecting healthy functions and jobs—it is the equivalent of taking a heavy blunt object to these agencies’ budgets,” added Serrano. “I believe that the majority, forced by their extremist Tea Party wing, have overstepped what little mandate they had from the last election. They will suffer when the American people realize the ideologically extreme and callous approach they have taken to our government and its core functions. These cuts are unacceptable, and the American people will not stand for them.”
The House is currently debating and amending the continuing resolution to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. The House and the Senate need to agree on a funding measure before March 4, when the current funding expires.
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano, for the third time in the past two weeks, voted against an extension of the Patriot Act. This bill, which passed the House, would extend three provisions of the Patriot Act: an overbroad roving wiretap power, a lone-wolf provision allowing electronic monitoring of individuals without showing they have terrorist ties that has never been used, and the business records provision allowing the government to demand a variety of records without saying why they are needed. The House considered and passed yesterday this three month extension over the opposition of Serrano and 142 other members of Congress, including 26 Republicans.
"I am proud to have again voted to end these overbroad, intrusive powers," said Serrano. "However, I am disappointed that we continue to extend these flawed provisions. There are important things we can do to keep our country safe, but we should not sacrifice our basic liberties. We have gone too far, giving the executive branch too much authority to intrude into the privacy of ordinary Americans. I hope that before we again extend these flawed provisions we take steps to improve them by getting rid of the unnecessary provisions and narrowing the other ones to limit the possibilities of abuse."
The Senate has already passed the extension and the President is expected to sign it.
Serrano Receives 100% Rating from League of Conservation Voters
On Thursday, Congressman Serrano earned a 100% rating on the prestigious League of Conservation Voters environmental scorecard for his voting record last year.
“My voting record on the environment is a particular point of pride for me,” said Serrano. “Besides economic and social empowerment, environmental concerns are among the top issues that I work on. Despite the Bronx being one of the most urban environments in the world, we must show the way on preserving, protecting and reclaiming our environmental surroundings. The Bronx has lost a great deal over the years, but in recent times we have made great progress on reclaiming and restoring a variety of parks, greenspaces and wildlife areas. This is a way in which we are leading the way for the rest of the nation.
“The League of Conservation Voters pays close attention to the votes here in the Congress that are of greatest importance to the environment. In receiving a 100% rating, I believe I have cast votes that help preserve and protect our world for future generations. We have a responsibility to improve the world that we inherited, and I think we can safely say that we have done that in the Bronx. Through my votes, I believe we are also able to say that the Bronx has voted in favor of the environment at the national level. That’s a proud record for our community and for me personally.”
More information on the League of Conservation Voters’ 2010 Scorecard can be found on their website at http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/.
In the Bronx
Serrano Honors Dominican Heritage Month
On Saturday, Congressman Serrano celebrated Dominican Heritage Month at an event organized by La Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx, where he was honored with an award recognizing his service to the Dominican community. In turn, Serrano presented the Parade with a Congressional Record statement and spoke about the growing influence of Dominican Americans in the U.S.
“The Bronx is home to one of the fastest growing Dominican populations in the nation, and organizations like La Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx help us to keep to pace with this cultural enlargement,” read the Congressional Record statement. “They do a remarkable job at articulating the Dominican experience here in the U.S., as well as the many ways in which Dominican Americans activate our national endeavor and strength.
“We also commend La Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx. Its founders, friends and allies had the foresight to recognize the value that the Bronx would hold for Dominican Americans in years to come. They believed the Bronx would one day serve as a launch pad for Dominican aspirations across the U.S., and that residents of this borough deserved an institutional partner capable of supporting their considerable talents. La Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx is a bridge-building organization, and one that understands honoring cultural achievement in America is at its best a shared experience.”
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Serrano presenting the Congressional Record statement to Felipe Febles and Rosa Ayala, founders and directors of the Gran Parada Dominicana del Bronx |
Serranos to Celebrate Black History Month
WHO: Congressman José E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano, along with honored guests: New York State Assemblywoman Vanessa L. Gibson, 77th District; Leroy “Archie” Archible, Community Activist and Korean War Veteran; Dorothy DeSuzia, Former President and Board Member, Concourse Village Apartments; and Demetrius McCord, Deputy Executive Director, Bronx Community Pride Center
WHAT: Congressman José E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano will honor members of the South Bronx and East Harlem communities in celebration of Black History Month 2011
WHEN: Friday, February 25th, 2011, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE: District Office of Congressman Serrano, 1231 Lafayette Ave, 4th Floor, Between Tiffany Street and Garrison Avenue in the Hunts Point Peninsula, off the Bruckner Blvd. Space is limited; to RSVP please call (212) 828-5829 or by email: serranoeventrsvp AT gmail DOT com
Grant Opportunities
Healthy Living for the Elderly Grant
Application Deadline: May 8, 2014
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) recently announced the availability of funding to support programs that help elderly individuals remain healthy and independent while living in their homes and communities. The goal of this program is to support transitional research and collaborations between community based organizations with expertise serving the elderly. City and State governments, public housing authorities, institutions of higher education and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the NIH website.
For information on other government grants, please go to: www.grants.gov.