The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #7

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Questions FCC Chair on Smartphone Theft, Media Diversity 

Last week, Congressman Serrano took part in an oversight hearing for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the primary regulator of our nation's airwaves, telecommunications systems, and internet. Serrano is the senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the FCC.  Serrano discussed a number of issues with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, including ways to reduce smartphone theft, and issues of media diversity.

"Smartphone theft is one of our nation's fastest growing crimes, and one that can have tragic consequences," said Congressman Serrano. "That is why I sponsored legislation to reduce smartphone theft by requiring all smartphones to have a 'kill-switch,' which will allow consumers to render the smartphones useless if taken from them.  I believe that manufacturers and service providers need to do much more to safeguard their customers, and the FCC has an important role to play in ensuring these companies work in the best interest of the American people."

Chairman Wheeler said that he is talking to companies involved in this issue about implementing technology to better safeguard consumers from theft.

Congressman Serrano also discussed several important issues surrounding media diversity, including a recent FCC proposal to close loopholes that allowed de facto ownership of more than one television station in a media market, and a recently cancelled study that would have helped Americans better understand how news stories are chosen.

Serrano Stresses Importance of Small Business Administration Programs to the Bronx

On Thursday, Congressman Serrano discussed the importance of small business with the Acting Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Marianne O’Brien Markowitz.  As Ranking Member on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Serrano expressed particular concern about funding for the Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME) program, which targets its grants to low-income entrepreneurs who need help accessing capital.  “These grants fund technical assistance, capacity building, and research & development for organizations that help low-income entrepreneurs.  This program is crucial to helping small businesses get off the ground and it is an integral part of the Small Business Administration’s important work,” he said.

Congressman Serrano also expressed support for robust SBA disaster loan assistance, which is of particular concern in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.   “Maintaining sufficient disaster loan assistance is a critical part of SBA’s mission.  Even though the SBA is a small agency, it is on the front lines of helping individuals and small business after natural disasters.  I am committed to supporting levels of funding that allow the SBA to support our nation’s economic drivers,”Congressman Serrano said.  “I witnessed the effects of Hurricane Sandy first hand in my district.  Luckily, my colleagues and I were able to secure funds for recovery.  I hope that we can move forward and adequately equip our federal agencies, such as the SBA, with adequate levels of disaster assistance so that we can properly prepare and mitigate whatever natural disasters lie ahead.”  

Serrano Meets With South Bronx Job Corps Center

On Wednesday, April 2, 2014, Congressman Serrano met with staff and trainees from the South Bronx Job Corps Center (JCC).   The South Bronx JCC staff and trainees discussed the importance of Job Corps funding, the impact of the South Bronx JCC in the community,  and the projects that they have been working with over the past year. 

Job Corps is an education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training.   Congressman Serrano has been a vocal advocate of the Job Corps program.

Congressman Serrano with members of the South Bronx Job Corps

In The Bronx

Serrano Attends Successful “Rebuild by Design” and Slam Bake Event

Recently, Congressman José E. Serrano was a guest at an innovative event designed to showcase local culinary talent and resources, and also to bring awareness to the post-Hurricane Sandy “Rebuild by Design” competition. The Rebuild by Design competition is an initiative  started by the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force and the Department of Housing and Urban Development focused on creating solutions to problems exposed by Hurricane in New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere.  Hunts Point is one of 10 finalists in a process that  will  “identify and develop viable infrastructure strategies for protecting Hunts Point from extreme weather events.” The “Slam Bake” cooking competition highlighted local talent and the food supplies that come through the vital food markets at Hunts Point, which could be devastated by a future storm.

“The Slam Bake and Rebuild by Design competitions showed a local community that is engaged, active, and aware,” said Congressman Serrano. “The Slam Bake was a huge success—it showed off the skills of our local chefs, and the great produce, fish, and meats available through the Hunts Point markets. I was very impressed by the great food these folks produced.

“Meanwhile the other focus of the evening was on the competition that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsored, where teams developed plans to address weaknesses in infrastructure that could become a problem in future storms like Hurricane Sandy. One team focused on Hunts Point and presented their findings and their plans on the vulnerabilities of the neighborhood and potential fixes that could and should be made.

“As we dealt with allocation of Hurricane Sandy recovery funding, I fought to ensure that this money made its way to our community, and had a defined local impact. This program is a direct result of that process. We have so much critical infrastructure here in Hunts Point, like the meat, fish, and produce markets, and we must begin to seriously consider plans that will protect us, our food sources, and our community at large in the future.”

The Rebuild by Design process draws together experts from various field including planning, design, engineering, and science to study the environmental and structural vulnerabilities that were exposed through Hurricane Sandy, and challenges them to develop tangible, fundable solutions to these problems so that impacted areas can be protected from future catastrophe.http://www.rebuildbydesign.org/

Serrano Mourns Loss of Local Hero Sister Thomas

On March 20, Congressman Serrano mourned the passing of legendary Bronx community leader Sister Thomas, S.C. 

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sister Thomas, one of the most beloved members of our Bronx community. As a Catholic nun her faith in God and in our community could move mountains. She was involved in every aspect of community life, serving on boards, feeding the hungry, helping to build and find housing for the homeless and giving of herself to all members of our community. To me, she was a special friend of many years. Whenever she saw me there was that warm hug and wonderful smile. Some of our greatest conversations took place as we walked together in many Good Friday processions in the South Bronx. After Mass on Sundays she was always there to ask me about my work and about my family. During the year, she would send me 4 or 5 notes to tell me that she was always praying for me and never to lose hope. She was a special person that I will miss dearly. Our community has lost a great person and we will miss her forever. Rest in Peace my dear friend.”

Farm-to-Faith: Congressman Serrano connects local faith-based food providers with access to affordable produce

Last week, Congressman Serrano and the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of New York City came together to share information about the ”Farm-to-Faith: Food Hubs Program” initiative, which is intended to improve health food access for the faith-based community in New York City. The event, hosted by Congressman Serrano, provided local leaders with information on how to become food hub leaders, and how to have fresh produced delivered regularly at attractive prices.

“Access to fresh, quality produce can have a tremendous impact on the overall health and lifestyle of an individual,” said Congressman Serrano. “We need to continue to support and share information about great programs like this one that focus on the importance of keeping quality products affordable for everyone.”

Grant Announcement

Challenge America Fast-Track

Deadline: May 8, 2014. Please refer to the announcement for additional submission information.

The National Endowment for the Arts has made funding available for projects that aim to expand access to the arts for currently underserved populations whose current ability to experience the arts may be limited by geography, economics, ethnicity, or disability. NEA hopes to fund projects that will prioritize public engagement and the strengthening of communities through the arts. County government, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, are all encouraged to apply.

Please follow this link for the full grant announcement: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=249759. For more information about other federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov.