The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #5

On Capitol Hill

Serrano, Crowley, and Luján Join Colleagues in Urging the Implementation of a STEM Grant Program for Hispanic-Serving Institutions

On March 4th, Congressman Serrano and 21 of his Democratic colleagues sent a letter to President Obama, urging him to demonstrate continued support for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).  Serrano and his colleagues are specifically requesting the implementation of a dedicated grant program within the National Science Foundation (NSF).  STEM fields are critical to the nation’s global competitiveness, and it is essential that investments are made for underrepresented populations.

A STEM education grant program was authorized as part of the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69), but has yet to be implemented.

Full text of the letter below.

March 4, 2014

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

We know that you share our commitment to encouraging more minorities, including Hispanic college students, to enter the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Bringing this underrepresented population into these fields of tomorrow is critical for our country’s competitiveness in a global economy, which is why we believe it is so important that your Administration move swiftly to implement the STEM Education grant program for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) at the National Science Foundation, as authorized by Congress in the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69).

The National Science Foundation, like other government agencies, has long recognized the value of targeted capacity-building programs at minority-serving institutions. While there may be other programs throughout federal agencies that have similar goals, the National Science Foundation programs have clearly filled an important niche in the training of minority students. There are currently in place programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities. The absence of a dedicated program for HSIs is notable – a situation we sought to correct in the America COMPETES Act.

In particular, we are concerned that the lack of a dedicated program for HSIs sends a negative message to the very students we need to reach. These students need to feel welcome in the science fields – particularly as the Hispanic population has been traditionally underrepresented, younger students may have difficulty seeing role models at the higher levels to inspire them. We appreciate the work the Administration has done to encourage and support educational achievement, such as through the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics. We believe a dedicated grant program at the National Science Foundation is the kind of concrete step needed to build upon these efforts and advance them further.

If we want to reach Hispanic students and entice them into a career in the science and technology fields, HSIs provide the infrastructure we need to build upon. Currently, well over half of all Hispanic students are enrolled at colleges and universities designated as HSIs. The majority of HSIs have Hispanic student populations well over the minimum threshold of 25 percent needed to receive this designation.

Furthermore, these institutions have the expertise in the needs of their student body, and as such are best equipped to build targeted STEM programs that will draw in Hispanic students. These reasons are what led Congress to recognize the role of HSIs in the America COMPETES Act by explicitly directing the National Science Foundation to establish a capacity building program for STEM education at HSIs.

Congress is due to soon act on the next reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, and we intend to pursue the implementation of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions program as a priority. We hope that your Administration, including the National Science Foundation, will work with us and use this reauthorization to address any lingering concerns that are preventing this program from being established as Congress has made clear it expects to see done.

Together, we can help Hispanic students reach their rightful place in the STEM fields, and we firmly believe that the implementation of a dedicated grant program for HSIs at the National Science Foundation is a critical first step. We look forward to working with you to strengthen efforts to improve STEM education in our country.

Sincerely,

Joseph Crowley
Ben Ray Luján
José E. Serrano
Sheila Jackson Lee
Filemon Vela
Eliot L. Engel
Gregory W. Meeks
Adam D. Schiff
Juan Vargas
Gloria Negrete McLeod
Eric Swalwell
Michael M. Honda
Dina Titus
Rush Holt
Jim Costa
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Raúl M. Grijalva
Barbara Lee
Matt Cartwright
Joaquin Castro
Mark Takano
Judy Chu

Serrano Votes in Favor of Affordable Flood Insurance

On March 4th, Congressman Serrano voted in favor of H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013, a bill that he co-sponsored.  H.R. 3370 would roll back the increases in premiums for federal flood insurance required by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (Public Law 112-141).  

Flood insurance reform is a critical issue in the Bronx and New York City, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  The changes required by Biggert-Waters would have resulted in dramatic increases for homeowners in New York City.The bill passed 306-91, with broad bipartisan support.  It is now under consideration in the Senate.

In The Bronx

Rep. Serrano, NY AG Schneiderman, NYPD Commissioner Bratton Announce House Legislation to Require “Kill Switch” on Smartphones

On Monday, Congressman Serrano joined with New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York Police Department Commissioner William J. Bratton to announce new legislation recently introduced by Serrano that would require smartphone manufacturers and cell phone service providers to allow consumers access to a “kill switch” on all devices.  The Smartphone Theft Prevention Act, H.R. 4065, would deter the rising number of cell phone thefts by giving consumers the ability to wipe their phone data, render the device useless on any network, and make it unable to be reactivated or reprogrammed if stolen by criminals. The bill is a vital consumer protection measure that will stem the rapid increase in crime surrounding smartphones.

The legislation was discussed at an event featuring Congressman Serrano and Attorney General Schneiderman, as well as NYPD Commissioner Bratton, who announced his intention to join the Secure Our Smartphones Initiative.  They were joined by Richard Aborn, the President of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, and the family of Megan Boken, who was killed during a smartphone robbery in 2012.

“Cell phone theft is growing quickly across the country, and unfortunately smartphone manufacturers and carriers have not done enough to ensure the safety and security of their customers," said Congressman Serrano. "This legislation enables consumers to protect themselves by rendering their devices useless in the hands of criminals and reducing the incentive to commit these crimes in the first place.  The Smartphone Theft Prevention Act is a vital step forward that will help people in The Bronx and across the nation.”

“Since last May, the Secure Our Smartphones Initiative has challenged carriers and manufacturers to install technology that would end the epidemic of violent smartphone thefts. I applaud Congressman Serrano for bringing this to the floor of the House and putting the smartphone industry on notice: Because the industry dragged its feet, Congress is poised to act on legislation that will put consumers ahead of profits,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “I also want to thank Commissioner Bratton for his decades of service and welcome him to the Initiative, which is helping to make our communities more secure and save lives.”

The Federal Communications Commission estimates that more than 30 percent of all robberies today involve smartphones. In New York City, cell phone theft has grown 40 percent in the past year, and now makes up 20 percent of all robberies in New York City. Cell phones are typically stolen for resale in both domestic and international black markets, but can also be stolen in order to try and access a consumer's personal information. Unfortunately, sometimes these crimes can turn violent, with tragic results.

"Today, cell phone theft is an unfortunately lucrative crime. By having a kill switch on all smartphones, we will empower consumers to help protect themselves and their personal information. I thank New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to working with him to move this bill through the legislative process."

H.R. 4065 is the House companion to S. 2032, recently introduced in the Senate by Senator Amy Klobuchar.  

Grant

USDA Farm to School Grant Program

Deadline: April 30, 2014.  Please refer to the announcement, for additional submission information.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is charged with implementing the Farm to School Program. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding approximately $5 million in grant funding to support efforts that improve access to local foods in eligible schools.  Approximately $500,000 in grants will be made available to support farm to school conferences, trainings, and like events. Schools are eligible for planning and implementation grants, while non-profits, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support service grants.  

Please follow this link for the full grant announcement: http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/fy-2015-farm-school-grant-program-funds-available. For more information about other federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov