The Serrano Report, Vol. X, #21
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Statement on 50th Anniversary of The March on Washington
Congressman Serrano released the following statement in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on August 28th.
"The message of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom rang out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the National Mall and across our nation—calling us to the high purposes of justice and equality. The truths of that day spoken by Dr. King and others still urge us on towards a better future for this great country.
“The civil rights of all Americans are only guaranteed by our ongoing struggle to preserve them. We must fight on to ensure that our nation continues to move more people from the cold darkness of despair and discrimination into the warm light of justice and equality.
“This is the work we were charged with on that day 50 years ago. And we will continue this struggle because in the words of Dr. King: ‘we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.’”
The Bronx
Serranos Comemorate Roberto Clemente State Park
On the 40th Anniversary of the opening of Roberto Clemente State Park, Congressman José E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano attended a commemorative ground breaking to acknowledge the importance of the park to the community and to celebrate the improvements that are currently taking place. "Roberto Clemente was an inspiring baseball player and humanitarian and it is an honor to be a part of continuing his legacy through the ongoing use and improvement of this park," said Congressman Serrano. "It was especially rewarding to be breaking ground on renovations to the baseball fields."
The ground breaking at the baseball fields
Serrano Runs 5K Supporting Cancer Research
During August, Congressman Serrano ran the Damon Runyon 5K, which takes runners through Yankee Stadium and raises money for cancer research. "I look forward to this run every year," said Serrano. "For a Bronxite and a Yankee fan it is a real thrill to run through the stadium and around the field, even if the number of stairs involved is daunting."
Serrano running the 5K
Serrano, Crowley, Announce $10 Million Grant Approved for Hunts Point Market
Last month, Congressmen José E. Serrano and Joseph Crowley announced that the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market’s $10 million federal TIGER Grant for freight rail improvements had been given final approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation, greenlighting the project’s federal funding. Serrano and Crowley led congressional efforts in support of the grant application for the federal funding, highlighting the benefits of the renovations for the City and borough both in terms of jobs and in terms of environmental benefits for the surrounding community.
“The Department of Transportation is making a very wise investment in a valuable project in our community,” said Congressman Serrano. “This grant will create and retain many jobs, and help to get more trucks off the road and keep them from sitting and idling for long periods of time. The Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market is a key economic driver in our City and State, and helping to ensure that they have the tools and infrastructure to compete and thrive is of utmost importance. This $10 million grant shows the support and commitment of the federal government to their future success and to the modernization of our City’s infrastructure.”
“The Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market has played an integral role in New York’s economy for over 40 years and I’m thrilled its freight rail project is now ready to move forward,” said Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx). “The approval of the Market’s federal TIGER grant is a win-win for job creation and environmental protection. Not only will this investment help the Market create hundreds of new jobs but it will help reduce air pollution by allowing the Market to get shipping trucks off of our roads. The rehabilitation of the site’s infrastructure will serve to ensure that the Market can efficiently continue providing millions of New Yorkers affordable fresh produce while supporting farmers throughout the state.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the project will “enhance freight rail capacity and service at the HPTPM through the following infrastructure improvements: installing additional sorting and storage rail tracks; rehabilitating the rail spurs that serve three of the market’s warehouses, and installing a covered platform on an existing rail spur within the market to facilitate the transfer of produce from railcars to trucks. The additional tracks will add capacity for the delivery and staging of loaded railcars, as well as the storage of empty railcars before they are removed from the market. The rehabilitation of the rail spurs will restore the original elevation of the tracks so railcars align with the warehouse loading docks. The covered platform will provide an additional location where tenants can receive produce by rail, and will provide a safer, more efficient transfer of produce within the market.”