The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #13
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Offers Immigration Amendment to Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
On Wednesday, the Appropriations Committee debated the fiscal year 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, and a significant portion of the debate was devoted to the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Several amendments were offered to try and ensure a fairer and more humane immigration system, including one offered by Congressman Serrano and fellow Democrats Congressman Honda and Congressman Quigley. The Serrano-Quigley-Honda amendment tried to strip a harmful provision in the bill that requires the Department to detain and keep in custody an inflated number of undocumented immigrants. The provision, commonly known as the ‘detention bed mandate,’ wastes significant federal funds and causes great harm to families. TheDepartment of Homeland Security has repeatedly told Congress they do not need to detain the number of immigrants that is required under the mandate.
“The detention bed mandate is one of the most wasteful parts of this bill, and it needs to be eliminated,” said Congressman Serrano. “We are spending money maintaining and filling space at immigration detention centers that the Department of Homeland Security say they don’t need, and that the numbers simply don’t back up. This policy hurts families and our nation’s bottom line, and we should strip it from the bill.”
Unfortunately, Republicans refused to support the amendment, and rejected other amendments to help fix the immigration system as well. The bill will soon be considered by the full House of Representatives.
Serrano Provision Will Force Vieques/Culebra Clean Up Status Update
Early this week, Congressman Serrano announced that two provisions he inserted into the annual Defense Appropriations bill will force the Department of Defense to submit reports of the plan for the final clean up on the islands, and also a full listing of the types of explosives used over the years, and what remains. Long an advocate for the full restoration of Vieques and Culebra, Congressman Serrano felt the clean up was falling behind schedule, that information was lacking, and that full accountability on both was needed.
"While I am glad this legislative language will move the clean up forward, I am disheartened that it continues to take Congressional action to ensure the Defense Department complies with its promises," said Congressman José E. Serrano. "The areas used by the military in Vieques and Culebra suffered extreme environmental degradation in their years as Defense Department property. Since the agreement was reached to restore them and return them to a state of environmental health, Puerto Ricans have waited for an expected date when the work will be over. I hope that through this legislative language we might have a final plan and end date.
“I also believe that the report on the type and quantity of ordnance used, and an estimate of what remains to be cleaned up, will give us a better idea of what risks there might be and what has been dealt with. This is particularly important in terms of potential health risks. We must know what explosives and chemicals islanders were exposed to, and what risks those pose for current and future health issues.
“I do thank the Defense Department for their efforts thus far, and I believe that we actually have the same goal. I am certain they want to turn over an environment that is restored and poses no ongoing risk to residents and visitors. We all can work together for that goal and look forward to a day in the not-too-distant future when it is achieved."
The report language contained in the report accompanying the FY 2015 Defense Appropriations Bill is as follows:
The Committee remains concerned about the pace of environmental restoration on the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act detailing a plan and schedule for the completion of the clean-up of the contaminated areas of Vieques and Culebra.
The Committee also notes that there are gaps in information about types and amounts of ordnance used on Vieques and Culebra and potential links between such ordnance used and present threats to public health. The Committee further directs the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act that details the types of weapons deployed on these islands, as well as the estimated level of use of these types of ordnance at these two sites. Finally, the Committee also urges the Secretary of Defense to make the relevant documents available to the public.
The bill was passed by the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday and will soon be considered by the full House of Representatives.
Serrano Attends Bill Signing for Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Bill
On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano had the honor of attending the signing ceremony for the bill honoring the Borinqueneers with the Congression Gold Medal at the White House. President Obama gave remarks before signing the bill. To watch a video of the ceremony click here. Congressman Serrano was one of the House Members who ushered the bill through into law, and was deeply moved to meet with surviving members of the legendary all-Latino unit. Earlier statements on the bill can be found here.
Serrano with Borinqueneers
President Obama signing the bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal
In the Bronx
Serrano Announces $5.7 million for Bronx Transportation Safety Projects
This week, Congressman José E. Serrano announced that the Bronx had been awarded $5.7 million in federal transportation funds for three projects designed to enhance transportation safety. Of the funds, $900,000 will go to a project to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on Bruckner Boulevard. Another $800,000 will enhance safety on East Tremont Avenue. And $4 million will fund a third phase of safety improvements on the Grand Concourse.
"I am gratified to see federal funding dedicated to ensuring that Bronx streets are safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles," said Congressman Serrano. "Some of these awards will build on projects that we had been funding in recent years, while others are new projects. All of them are needed, and will help to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on the streets of our community. Since the State had a role in choosing these projects, we in the Bronx thank Governor Cuomo and his staff for recognizing that Bronx streets need these improvements.”
The funds came from $79.3 million given to New York State through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. Details of the Bronx awards are below
$900,000 for a New York City project to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on Bruckner Boulevard between Bronx River Avenue and East 132nd Street in the Bronx by establishing a north/south pedestrian and bicycle corridor.
$800,000 for a New York City project to enhance safety on East Tremont Avenue in Bronx County. Improvements will include shortening crossing distances by widening and installing pedestrian islands, clarifying traffic patterns at complex intersections, studying signal timing for potential phasing changes and new signals, and installing traffic calming markings by narrowing the wide moving lanes and adding center buffer marking, along the corridor.
$4 million for the third phase of a New York City project to improve safety on the Grand Concourse between East 171st Street and East 175th Street in the Bronx. The project will resurface main roads and extensively reconstruct service roads and medians. It also will add a series of medians and other enhancements, including raised medians, pedestrian refuges, bicycle lane buffers and bollards.
Serrano Celebrates National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Last week, Congressman Serrano celebrated the fifty-seventh National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. This annual event, which stands as one of the nation’s largest parades, is a celebration of the heritage and history of the United States’ Puerto Rican community. As he does each year, Congressman Serrano marched in the Parade with his son Senator José M. Serrano.
“I am immensely proud to be Puerto Rican, and am always grateful for this parade” said Congressman Serrano. “This celebration reminds us that New York City is home to many strong cultural groups with rich histories, who have contributed to our community, and deserve to be honored.”
Congressman Serrano Marches with Senator Serrano in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Serrano joins Deloitte for IMPACT Day
Last week Congressman Serrano joined Deloitte CEO Joe Echevarria to celebrate the firm’s 14th annual IMPACT Day. Each year on IMPACT Day thousands of Deloitte employees volunteer in communities throughout the nation to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to service. This year, the volunteers were at the Community School for Justice and Health Opportunities High School in The Bronx, where students were invited to ask questions about professional life in public service.
“I am pleased to see a major company like Deloitte committing itself to improving communities in need, and fostering this same sense of duty in its employees,” said Congressman Serrano. “I relish in any opportunity that allows me to share the value and true sense of reward that comes with serving the community, and am happy to meet so many young people interested in pursuing careers paths in public service.”
Serrano Speaks to Students and Volunteers
Grant Announcement
Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations
Deadline: August 13, 2014.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has made funding available for organizations that will produce public programs in the humanities. These grants would support exhibitions at museums, film and literary discussion programs, living history presentations, and other programs at public venues. All government groups, institutions of higher learning, and non-profit groups are encouraged to apply. Please see full announcement for additional submission information
Please follow this link for the full grant announcement: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=257630 . For more information about other federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov.