The Serrano Report, Volume X, #26

On Capitol Hill

Serrano On Passing of Nelson Mandela

Last night, Congressman José E. Serrano issued the following statement after learning of the passing of South African hero Nelson Mandela:

“Nelson Mandela was a hero to people in South Africa as well as in the South Bronx. His example of peaceful activism was a model to which so many of us looked to emulate and implement in our communities. He proved to us all that peace and love will always conquer anger and fear. He showed us that morality must be at the center of politics to achieve justice and tolerance and indeed prosperity. The whole world will mourn the loss of this great leader. On behalf of my community I extend prayers and well wishes to his family and to the people of South Africa.”

New Hunger Data Proves Severity of Situation Says Serrano

In the wake of new report on hunger in New York City released by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger last week, Congressman José E. Serrano again called for reversing recent food stamp cuts and refraining from further cuts in the program. The data show a surge in hunger and food insecurity over the past several years.

“For years now, we have been saying that there is a hunger crisis unfolding in our City and today we have hard data to prove that we were right,” said Congressman Serrano. “Hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition are increasing and, despite their hard work, local food pantries cannot fill the gap created by cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”

“I have repeatedly voted against cuts to SNAP, and spoken out about the real and sustained harm they are doing. Today, however, the time has come to change the tune. We cannot simply fight the SNAP cuts but rather must treat this as an emergency for all levels of government.

“Today, I join with local and state officials and advocates in calling for immediate action on this problem. I will continue to do everything I can at the federal level, and believe that they will do whatever they can at the local and state level. It will take a coordinated push from all levels of government to address this increase in hunger.

“Unfortunately, because of the implacable resistance we see to SNAP funding from the Republicans in Washington, we need emergency action from state and local governments. It is shameful and wrong that Republicans in Washington would cause such a need—especially on an issue like hungry children and families—but it is the reality we are faced with.”

Last month, Serrano led a letter addressed to Farm Bill conferees and signed by nine Members from New York City opposing the House’s proposal to cut SNAP by $40 billion and the Senate’s proposal to limit coordination between SNAP and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Acknowledging that Latinos are disproportionately affected by cuts to nutrition assistance, in June, Serrano led a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, signed by 12 Latino Members of Congress, opposing an earlier iteration of the House Farm Bill, which cut SNAP by $20 billion.

Serrano is also the sponsor of H.R. 208, the Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of 2013, which would create the Beyond the Soup Kitchen pilot program to award grants to community-based nonprofit anti-hunger organizations, as well as eliminate SNAP fingerprinting requirements, which have been proven to deter families from applying for SNAP benefits.

In New York City, more than 1.9 million residents rely on SNAP benefits and yet a Senate proposal currently under consideration would disproportionately affect New York City SNAP recipients. S.954, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, includes cuts which target SNAP recipients in federally subsidized housing – including the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) – who receive assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), known as “heat and eat.” Additionally, House Republicans proposals for SNAP contain a total of $40 billion in cuts over 10 years, which would lead to approximately 2.8 million people losing SNAP benefits.

“The time has come for emergency action,” Serrano reiterated. “There is a hunger crisis in our communities and it will take action across the board to address it. Again I call on House Republicans to drop their demands for harsh cuts to SNAP benefits and instead to work with us to ensure the program is able to meet the demand we see in our nation. No one should go hungry in a nation with such abundance.”

Serrano Meets With Students

Recently, Congressman Serrano met with young students from the Bronx and other parts of New York City. The students traveled to Washington DC as part of the West Side YMCA’s youth civic engagement program, Teens Take the City. “It was a joy getting to meet and speak with these young people” said Congressman Serrano. “It is always exciting to meet youth who are actively engaged in civic education. It is important for our future leaders to learn how Congress works and how this nation is being run.” 

Serrano with visiting students

Serrano Visits with Fast4Families Immigration Activists

This week, Congressman Serrano visited on the National Mall with the brave activists associated with Fast for Families, some of whom haven’t eaten in 20 days, as they call for comprehensive immigration reform. "Their courageous fast in support of immigration reform is inspirational and will hopefully change the minds of those in Congress who are blocking the passage of comprehensive reform," said Congressman Serrano "I wished them well and lent them the support of all those in my community who are with them in spirit."

Serrano With Fasting Immigration Advocates

Serrano Introduces Bill to Support Housing for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Recently, Congressman Serrano introduced H.R. 3501, the Generational Residences and Nurturing Dwellings Act, also known as the GRAND Act.  H.R. 3501 would create a competitive grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for specialized housing that serves low-income grandparent-headed families.  The grant program would fund new construction, operational expenses, supportive services, rental voucher assistance, and project rental assistance for non-profit organizations who intend to open, or who already operate specialized housing units for “grandfamilies.”  

“In the last 10 years alone, the amount of children with grandparents as their main care providers increased by 16 percent.  As the definition of family changes in the U.S., our federal policies and programs must reflect that.  My bill, the GRAND Act, aims to address this changing reality.”

The Bronx

Serrano Statement on Metro North Derailment

Congressman Serrano issued the following statement in the wake of the tragic Metro North derailment last weekend.

“On behalf of my community, I would like to extend condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the Metro North derailment last weekend, and our wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured. Our hearts went out the victims and their families as we learned the details of the tragedy.

“Our commitment to them is to ensure that in the wake of this horrific event, we will support any and all measures to make certain that this sort of accident is not repeated. In these times of tight budgets we must make the investments in infrastructure that keep people safe. The American people have a right to feel safe and secure as they use our transportation network.”

Apply Now for 9/11 Health Benefits

If you suffer from an illness related to the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, you can qualify for health benefits from the World Trade Center Health Program created by Congress in 2010.

Under this program people exposed to the toxins from the collapse of the World Trade Center are eligible for medical screening, treatment, and medicine at no cost to themselves.

First responders and volunteers who participated in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts after 9/11 may qualify for these benefits even if they show no signs of illness.  Others who lived, worked, or attended school near the site also can receive screening and care at no charge, but only if they experience symptoms. People are eligible regardless of immigration status and where in the country they now live.

Since the attacks, more than 1,100 people who were near the World Trade Center in the months following 9/11 have been diagnosed with cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Others suffer from respiratory disease, digestive ailments such as GERD, and other illnesses, including mental health conditions.

Many of those affected do not realize their disease is related to the time they spent near Ground Zero, and since symptoms may not be apparent for years, hundreds, if not thousands, more may be at risk of developing 9/11-related illnesses in the future.

The program will accept applications until 2016 but if you think you were affected, you should act now to get the care you need and deserve.

You can apply for health benefits or get information in Spanish, Chinese, and Polish, as well as English, at http://nycosh.org/wtc.  Information also is available by calling 855 4WTC-AID.