The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #10

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Speaks Out on the Kidnapping of Girls and Young Women in Nigeria

This week Serrano joined many of his Democratic colleagues in voicing his concerns on the kidnappings of nearly 300 Nigerian girls and young women by the religious extremist organization, Boko Haram. Serrano became a sponsor of H. Res. 573, which condemns Boko Haram’s abduction of the young women. He also signed onto a letter expressing his support for the Administration’s recent decision to provide support to the Nigerian government to help find the abducted young women.   

“As a father and grandfather, I join in the revulsion and horror that people around the world feel at the news of the kidnappings of schoolgirls and young women in Nigeria,” said Congressman Serrano. “I can only imagine the anguish and pain their families are experiencing. I stand with leaders around the world in denouncing this vile crime.”

“I am strongly supportive of President Obama’s recent decision to send an assembly of specialists to work with the Nigerian government to find these victims and return them to their families. The global community cannot idly stand by and watch these tragedies unfold. Terrorism must meet with a swift and unified response from world actors.

“I hope all the missing girls will be found and quickly reunited with their families. I also hope the Nigerian government is able to put an end to this terrorism, and to bring the guilty parties to justice.

“I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the affected families, and loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.” 

Serrano Celebrates National Teacher Day

On Tuesday, Serrano celebrated  National Teacher Day, which is a part of National Teacher Appreciation Week. National Teacher Appreciation Week was established in 1985 to highlight the vital role that educators play in our communities.

“When I look back on the way my life has unfolded, I am deeply grateful for the positive influence that educators had,” said Congressman Serrano. “I am especially appreciative of the teachers that I had during junior high and high school in the Bronx who encouraged me to move forward and helped me to flourish. Without their influence, I would not have become the person that I am, because I would not have had the education I have and perhaps more importantly, I wouldn’t have believed in myself. Educators like them are still working very hard in the Bronx, and hopefully inspiring the next generation of leaders, public servants, scholars and more.”

“In my 20s, I worked in schools as a paraprofessional. During that time, I witnessed the day-to-day triumphs and challenges of teaching. I continue to be impressed by the individuals who dedicate their careers to work in our school systems with our children. As we continue to try to improve our schools so that our children can thrive, we owe a debt of gratitude to hardworking teachers.”

“So today, on National Teacher Day, I would like to thank all of the dedicated teachers and educators for all they do to provide our children and communities with quality education. Often they hear too much criticism and not enough praise. Today, we say to them: We appreciate your hard work and dedication to our children.”

Serrano Joins Sports Figures to Bring Awareness to Mental Health Issues

Serrano with the Mental Health Advocates

Congresman Serrano recently met with advocates for mental health awareness here in Washington. The figures in the above photo, from left are Michi Marshall, Brandon Marshall, Rep. Grace Napolitano, Congressman Serrano, Metta World Peace, Jill Diamond, and Sandra Spencer.

"These terrific advocates made the basic point that we need to insure that mental health programs receive adequate funding, and that we must end the stigma attached to mental illness and help people who are suffering," said Serrano. "I was proud to stand with them in their fight to help people around the country with these issues."

Serrano Amendments Added to Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill

On Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee debated the fiscal year 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill.  As part of that process, three amendments proposed by Congressman Serrano were included in the final product that passed out of Committee.

The three amendments would: establish a new program to help improve indigent juvenile defendant services, require the Census Bureau to consult with interested parties before making any changes to the Hispanic Origin question in the 2020 Census, and encourage our immigration court system to provide better information about their rights to people going through removal proceedings.  All the amendments were wrapped into a broader Manager’s Amendment, after they were approved by both Republicans and Democrats.

“I thank the majority and minority for including these important provisions in the bill passed by this Committee,” said Congressman Serrano.  “With these amendments, we are helping to improve justice for some of our most vulnerable citizens and to ensure that our voices are heard in the 2020 Census.  I’m glad that my colleagues agree that these amendments will help improve the bill.  While I don’t agree with everything in this legislation, I believe we will have other opportunities to improve this bill as it moves through the legislative process.”

Congressman Serrano is a member of the CJS subcommittee.  The bill funds the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Legal Services Corporation, among other agencies.  

In the Bronx

Congressman Serrano Hosts Annual Congressional Art Competition

Last week Congressman Serrano hosted the annual Congressional Art Competition at The Bronx Museum of the Arts. This national competition showcases the art work of high school students from across the country by inviting winners from each Congressional district to hang their work in the nation's Capitol building for a year. This year students from the 15th Congressional District were invited to submit work for a two day exhibition at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, where family, friends, and educators joined for a final award ceremony. "The Bronx is so rich in history and culture, and the arts have played a major role throughout the course of our community's history," said Serrano. "I am happy to celebrate our community's young, but extraordinarily talented artists who work hard and show us that the arts are a positive force in our neighborhoods."

The winner of this year's competition hailed from Millennium High School, and will travel to Washington D.C. for an additional award ceremony. This year's second and third place finishers will have their artwork displayed in Congressman Serrano's Washington office and District office for one year. "I want to congratulate each student who submitted work, because participating in this wonderful display of The Bronx's talent is what is really means something here. I am looking forward to even more submissions next year!" said Congressman Serrano. 

Artwork Submitted to the Congressional Arts Competition

Congressman Serrano joins CUNY Citizenship Now! and Daily News for 12th Annual Call-In

Last week, Congressman Serrano joined CUNY Citizenship NOW! and The Daily News for their 12th annual immigration helpline call-in event. The week long event allows New Yorkers from across the city to receive free, confidential information about immigration and citizenship issues from hundreds of volunteers. The volunteers, which included lawyers, law students, and paralegals, were able to provide answers and share resources in more than ten languages.

"What you're doing is something so important. It keeps alive in this city the feeling of being a volunteer, of being able to give to somebody else, and that's what New York has always been known for" said Congressman Serrano, who stopped by to thank volunteers on the final day of the event. The call-in has helped more than 133,000 people since its 2004 inception, and this year's event drew more than 10,000 callers. 

"This program helps some of our community's most vulnerable people who are looking to make better lives for themselves and their families" said Serrano "and I am so grateful to CUNY and The Daily News for starting and continuing such a fantastic event." 

Grant Announcement

Farmers' Market Promotion Program

Deadline: June 20, 2014. Please see full announcement for additional submission information.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has made funds available for groups seeking to improve the access and consumption of locally produced agricultural products. The AMS will fund groups who will aid in the development, improvement, and/or expansion of domestic farmers' markets through offering outreach, training, or technical assistance. The AMS is specifically interested in funding groups that will expand local agricultural consumption by expanding direct producer-to-consumer opportunities. Agricultural businesses, CSA networks, local governments, and nonprofit organizations are all encouraged to apply. 

Please follow this link for the full grant announcement: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=254875 . For more information about other federal grants, please visit http://www.grants.gov.