The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #20
On Capitol Hill
Serrano on the 13th Anniversary of September 11
Yesterday, Congressman Serrano released the following statement in remembrance of September 11th:
“Today, we remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11th and pay tribute to the first responders and volunteers who worked tirelessly in their aftermath. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and with everyone who lost a loved one in this tragedy. America was forever changed by these atrocious acts and we will never forget that day.
“For the city of New York, this episode was a nightmare beyond imagination. Every New Yorker, from every walk of life, every ethnic and economic background, was affected in one way or another. I was in New York City when the attacks took place and it was heartbreaking to see our great city go through something so terrible and unexpected, but moving to see how we were able to leave all differences aside, come together, and respond in a moment of crisis. Let us all take time today to think about those who lost their lives in these heinous attacks. We will always honor their memories and their courage.”
Click HERE to view a video story produced by The Hill where NY congressional delegation members, including Congressman Serrano, shared their recollections of September 11th.
Serrano Pushes to Extend James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
Congressman Serrano is part of a group of lawmakers and advocates, led by Congresswoman Maloney and Congressman Nadler, pushing to extend the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act for 25 more years.
“9/11 survivors and first responders need and deserve our continued support. These are our heroes, and the very least we can do is provide them with the health care and compensation they need. Many are still battling serious illnesses and injuries caused by the toxins at Ground Zero, and their battles will continue for some time. That is why Congress must reauthorize the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act for 25 more years.”
Serrano Presents 2014 National Association of Letter Carriers Award to Bronx Resident
On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano presented the 2014 National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Humanitarian of the Year award to Bronx resident Orlando Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez was given the award at the NALC’s 2014 Heroes of the Year event in Washington DC. A 21-year postal employee, Mr. Gonzalez organized the first ever Vinny’s Walk, which raised more than $20,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Serrano Receives 100% Score from National Immigration Advocacy Groups
This past summer, Congressman Serrano received a 100% rating from a coalition of ten national Latino and Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) advocacy groups for his 2014 voting record in the House of Representatives. The new “National Immigration Scorecard” was created to allow citizens to easily track Members' of Congress record on immigration issues. Serrano received a perfect score for his unwavering support of passing comprehensive immigration reform and his vote in favor of key legislative measures related to immigration during the 113th Congress.
“It is an honor to be recognized with a perfect score on the 2014 National Immigration Scorecard. The score reflects my commitment to making comprehensive immigration reform a reality, to fixing a system that is severely broken, and to helping the millions of immigrants who contribute so much to this great nation have a fair chance at the American Dream.”
In the Bronx
Congressman Serrano Celebrates First Day of School in the Bronx with Mayor Bill De Blasio
Last week, Congressman Serrano celebrated the first day of school in NYC with Mayor Bill De Blasio, New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, and other elected officials at Journey Prep School in the Bronx.
“As a strong supporter of quality public education, I’m happy to have joined Mayor De Blasio and Chancellor Fariña to welcome students back to school and wish them, their parents, and their teachers, a wonderful and productive school year.”
Serrano Announces Nearly $800,000 in Education Funding During Back to School Season
Congressman Serrano announced a total of $784,434 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education for the Bronx during the back to school season. The funding will be distributed as follows.
- $264,550 in funds to schools in the Bronx for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) course testing to help low-income students cover the costs associated with taking these tests:
“As children in the Bronx and throughout New York City prepare to return to school, I’m pleased to announce this important funding, which will expand opportunities for Bronx students. These funds will allow more students the chance to take AP placement tests, which can qualify them for college credit or advanced classes. This in turn will help many students prepare for rigorous college curriculum, and possibly lower their higher education costs by reducing the amount of classes that they will need to take in college.
“Economic status should not limit our students’ ability to achieve. Thanks to this financial support from the Department of Education, the Bronx’s most promising high school students will be able to expand their learning opportunities and accomplish their academic goals."
- $519,884 for Hostos Community College to help expand educational opportunities for Hispanic college students:
“In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the rate of Hispanic students’ enrollment in colleges and universities across the United States. This is great news for the Hispanic community, but there is still much work to be done to make sure that Hispanic students continue to have access to more academic opportunities and to ensure they successfully graduate at higher rates. This is why it is so important to ensure Hispanic-serving institutions like Hostos Community College, which serves a large number of Hispanic students, have the resources they need to deliver high-quality education and promote academic success. These funds will allow them to expand the academic programs and services available to its Hispanic student population. By investing in our students, we are investing in the future of our great country and our community.”
Congressman Serrano Celebrates New York Yankees Captain Derek Jeter Day
Last weekend, Congressman Serrano joined the community at the Derek Jeter Day Celebration sponsored by the 161st Business Improvement District to honor New York Yankees’ Captain Derek Jeter’s many accomplishments in baseball and his tenure with the team. The celebration included music, dancing and cake. Derek Jeter has been with the Yankees for 20 seasons and will retire at the end of the year.
“Derek Jeter has made many contributions to our community and leaves us with plenty of unforgettable moments and world championships, including the diving play in 2004 against the Boston Red Sox. We wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season and a happy retirement. He surely will be missed.”
Serrano Demands Justice in Eric Garner Case
Last month, Congressman Serrano and five other members of Congress from New York City called for a Justice Department investigation into the death of Eric Garner and the New York Police Department’s Broken Windows policy. Click HERE for more information on their efforts and a copy of the letter sent to the Department of Justice.
The following week, he joined marchers, community and union leaders, and other elected officials at the National Action Network Unity March and Rally held in Staten Island and organized by Reverend Al Sharpton. Serrano spoke at the event to demand justice in the Eric Garner case.
“The circumstances surrounding Eric Garner’s tragic death are deeply troubling, and come in the context of a policing strategy that potentially violates the constitutional and civil rights of communities of color in New York City. Everything seems to indicate that Mr. Garner was a victim of an unlawful practice that was banned two decades ago, and there are some worrying indications that this tragedy may not get a full and fair investigation absent federal intervention. We need a forceful and unbiased entity like the Department of Justice to step in and ensure justice is done.
“I am proud to have joined thousands in the march for justice in the Eric Garner case, and for a better relationship between the police and the community organized by the National Action Network, 1199 SEIU, the United Federation of Teachers, and many other community groups.”
Serrano Announces $300,000 to Help African Victims of Domestic Violence
Last month, Congressman Serrano (D-NY) announced the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women has awarded the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women $300,000 in grants to expand and enhance their services in the Bronx.
Awarded through the DOJ’s Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program, the funding will allow the Center to better serve non-English speaking African victims of sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, and stalking in the Bronx by adapting its “Multilingual Language Access Model” (MLAM), and hiring new multilingual staff for community outreach and awareness campaigns.
“Every year, countless African immigrant women in the Bronx experience domestic violence or are victims of some sort of sexual assault. In most cases, they don’t reach out for help or report the acts committed against them due to language barriers and cultural stigma. More often than not, they are not aware of the resources in the community available to them or don’t have access to counseling services in their native language. This funding will help the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women’s efforts to fill this gap by allowing them to update their services for African women who don’t speak English or speak English well. By hiring women from the community that speak African languages and understand the culture, the Center will not only help women escape violence, but it is will also increase and strengthen the ties in our community.”
Serrano Announces $300,000 to Clean Up Contaminated Properties in the Bronx
Last month, Congressman Serrano announced that the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation will receive a total of $300,000 in grants and low-interest loans to clean up various sites in the Bronx and turn them into new affordable housing units. The funding was awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program, which “helps communities assess, clean up, and reuse properties at which moderate contamination threatens environmental quality and public health.” The new housing units will provide additional sources of affordable housing in the Bronx, and some units will be designed as supportive housing to serve individuals who just went through a period of homelessness, hospitalization, incarceration, and young adults coming out of foster care.
“This funding will help continue the revitalization of our neighborhoods and help increase the amount of affordable housing in the Bronx. Throughout the years, I have made it a priority to invest in environmental restoration and urban renewal. This funding will allow us to continue making progress in this area. I thank and applaud the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to help local communities unlock their economic potential by providing them with the resources they need to rehabilitate contaminated sites and make them safe for use. Their support through this type of initiative is crucial in places like the Bronx.”
Serrano Attends BOOM Health Wellness Fair & Groundbreaking Event
Congressman Serrano joined elected officials, business and community leaders to celebrate the one year anniversary of BOOM Health and to kickoff the renovations of BOOM Health's new Wellness Center. The Wellness Center will work to bring high quality health care, counseling, job training, legal services, and more to the Melrose neighborhood. The new facilities are scheduled to open in early 2015.
Serrano Announces $700,000 for Spring Bank, Inc.
Last week, Congressman Serrano announced announced that Spring Bank, Inc. has been awarded $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). The funds will enable Spring Bank to expand its lending and other services to individuals and small businesses in the Bronx.
“Community Development Financial Institutions like Spring Bank are crucial in places like the Bronx, where individuals, small businesses, and other organizations need more access to affordable and trustworthy financial institutions that care about their financial wellbeing. Far too often, big banks and financial institutions do not offer their services and lend money in Bronx communities. Or they do so in ways that aren't consumer friendly.
“Community Development Financial Institutions fill this void. They are truly life changing for folks and organizations that otherwise wouldn’t have access to the credit, financing, and counsel they need. Their investments in the Bronx and throughout the nation has made it possible for many to buy their first home or start their business, and helped finance the creation of important community housing and health care facilities. This is why, as a member of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee, I have always made it a priority to ensure the CDFI Fund and community development financial institutions have the resources they need to continue serving the community.”
On Social Media
Congressman Serrano recently joined Instagram. For a closer look at his work in DC and the Bronx follow him at @RepJoseSerrano.