Congressman José E. Serrano

Representing the 15th District of New York

The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #6

Mar 14, 2014
The Serrano Report

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Signs Discharge Petition for Unemployment Benefits Extension 

On Wednesday Congressman Serrano joined many of his Democratic colleagues in filing a discharge petition that would force the House to consider H.R. 3546, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013.  The bill would extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program until January 1, 2015.  Because Republicans refused to allow a vote on H.R. 3546, emergency unemployment insurance expired on December 28, 2013. Since that time, more than 2 million Americans have lost their benefits.  The discharge petition, if signed by a majority of the house (218 members), would force the House of Representatives.  At this time, there are 191 signees.  

“I’m proud to join with House Democrats today to sign a discharge petition that would force a vote on extending unemployment insurance benefits until January 1, 2015.  The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program is a critical part of our nation’s social safety net.  It is a buffer between hardworking Americans, who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and poverty.  It is inexcusable that Republicans would allow this critical program to expire during a time of financial hardship for many Americans.” 

Serrano Highlights Importance of CDFI Funding to the Bronx

On Monday, Congressman Serrano held an event with Spring Bank to highlight the importance of the Community Development Financial Institutions program.  The event focused on the significance of the CDFI program in promoting economic development, and its positive impact in the Bronx.  The program featured a discussion by Spring Bank on how they use CDFI funds in the Bronx.

"CDFI funding has had an enormous impact on the redevelopment of the Bronx,” said Congressman Serrano.  These funds have allowed Bronx organizations to expand health services, affordable housing, and access to mainstream financial services, among many other things. Every dollar of federal funding for this program is leveraged with more than $13 dollars in private funds.  These are tax dollars working in the best possible way, and that is why I have worked to increase funding for the CDFI Fund in Congress."

When he was Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Serrano more than quadrupled funding for the CDFI program, increasing funding to more than $240 million.  As the senior Democrat on the same subcommittee, he has fought to prevent large funding cuts by Republicans to the program.  The CDFI program provides funding to non-profits and financial institutions that focus their work in low- and moderate-income areas.  The 15th Congressional District has received a significant amount of this funding, as CDFI awardees have provided more than 700 loans, worth more than $167 million dollars, to businesses, consumers, and non-profits in the district.  Another program operated by the CDFI Fund, the New Markets Tax Credit Program, has provided more than $500 million in assistance to the Bronx.    

 

In The Bronx

Serrano Announces Art Competition

On Tuesday, Serrano announced details about the annual Congressional Art Competition.  Full text of the announcement below. 

 

March 11, 2014

Dear Principal, Art Teacher/Administrator or Guidance Counselor:

It is my pleasure to invite your students to participate in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition.

Since 1982, Members of Congress have held this national annual art competition to allow high school students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic ability.  All winning pieces will be on display in an eleven month exhibit in the Cannon Tunnel that leads to the U.S. Capitol.  Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC in June, date to be announced.

Students are encouraged to submit artwork to my office and a panel of local artists in the 15th Congressional District will select the winning entries.  The art competition is only open to high school students.  All artwork entries must be two-dimensional.  Each piece can be no larger than 29 inches wide by 28 inches tall by 4 inches thick, including the frame.  Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 pounds.  Each entry must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws.

Accepted media for artwork are as follows:

  • Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
  • Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
  • Collage
  • Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
  • Mixed Media: use of more than two medias as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
  • Computer-Generated Art
  • Photography

Artwork can be submitted to my district office at: 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 4th Floor Bronx, NY 10474 from March 11th to April 25th between the hours of 8:30am and 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anthony R. Jordan, Advisor for Community Affairs and the 2014 Congressional Art Completion District Office Coordinator at (718) 620-0084 or Anthony.Jordan@mail.house.gov.

I look forward to your student’s participation.

                                                           

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            José E. Serrano

                                                            Member of Congress 

 

Grant

Social Innovation Fund Grant

Deadline:  April 22, 2014.  Please refer to the announcement, for additional submission information.

The Social Innovation awards grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service are awarded to grant-making institutions, referred to as “intermediaries.” These intermediaries in turn competitively select, provide grants to, and otherwise support high-performing community-based nonprofit organizations to implement evidence-based programs in the areas of healthy futures, economic opportunity, and youth development. The intermediaries and the nonprofits must match the grant funds they receive one-to-one in cash from with non-federal sources.

Please follow this link for the full grant announcement: http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities/2014/social-innovation-fund-grants-fy-2014. For more information about other federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov.