The Serrano Report Vol.III #25 (Nov. 17, 2006)

THE SERRANO REPORT Nov. 17, 2006

On Capitol Hill

Democrats Win Majority in 110th Congress

Democrats are poised to take over the House and Senate at the beginning of the 110th Congress, which begins on January 3, 2007. The first 100 hours of session will be devoted to Democratic campaign promises, which include newer, more stringent ethics rules and an increase in the minimum wage. It is the first time in 12 years that Democrats will be the majority party in the House of Representatives.

The House will be led by the first female Speaker of the House, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The rest of the Democratic leadership team will include Representative Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) as Majority Leader, Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)as Majority Whip, Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) as Caucus Chair, and Representative John Larson (D-Conn.) as Caucus Vice-Chair.

"Democrats are ready to bring a new direction to this country," said Congressman Serrano. "Starting this January, all Americans will have a voice in the direction of this country, both at home and abroad."

In the Bronx


New Study Ties South Bronx Childhood Asthma to Air Pollution

In mid-October, Congressman Serrano participated in the release of final results of an NYU study on childhood asthma and pollution in the South Bronx. Serrano strongly advocated for the federal funding that made the study possible.

"The final results of the multi-year NYU study on the connection between childhood asthma and pollution in the South Bronx were proof positive that our children need to be protected from polluted air," Serrano said. "Right now the opposite is happening in the South Bronx where transportation and traffic pollution continue to cause high asthma rates."

The study found that about one in five of all pre-kindergarten through eighth graders in the South Bronx attend schools within 500 feet of major highways, where air pollution concentrations exceed normal levels. South Bronx children are twice as likely to attend a school near a highway as other children in the City.

The part of the study which monitored children in four South Bronx schools definitively demonstrated for the first time that diesel-related soot particles are associated with the increased asthma problems among these inner-city children. Indeed, this study found that, on school days with heavy vehicular traffic, children experienced diminished lung function and asthma-related wheeze symptoms roughly doubled.

"This study is a call to further action," Serrano added. "We cannot sit idly by and let our children suffer because of past land use and transportation planning decisions, which are now causing so much harm in the South Bronx. The time is now for all of us— parents, elected officials, businesses, and public health officials—to sit down and come up with a comprehensive plan to combat the scourge of airborne pollution."
Flags in Space Honor Dominican and Puerto Rican Communities

On October 27, Congressman Serrano presented Eugenio María de Hostos Community College with two flags which flew into space on NASA shuttle missions. Serrano requested that NASA carry these flags— one from Puerto Rico and the other from the Dominican Republic— as important symbols of gratitude for the immense contributions of these two communities to the United States and to New York City.

"These flags represent the hopes and dreams of both the Dominican and Puerto Rican communities," Serrano said. "Sending them to space on the NASA shuttle was a way of honoring the achievements of these important communities, and honoring their future aspirations.

"The Dominican and Puerto Rican communities have gone so many places, touched so many lives, and made such important contributions to our country. We have achieved so much in all different fields—and yet we always have remained true to our roots. I believe that we will continue to play our special role in the United States and in the world."
CITGO Makes First Delivery of the Year of Discounted Heating Oil

Congressman Serrano welcomed the ceremonial first delivery of discounted heating oil for low income residents of the Bronx from CITGO today. Citizen's Energy, a non-profit heating oil distribution company, will handle the distribution of the discount fuel this winter throughout New York City's five boroughs. Also present were Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), CITGO President Felix Rodriguez and Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez.

"I am very glad that CITGO is continuing and expanding their discounted home heating oil program for this coming winter," Serrano said. "This program is a testament to the power of corporations to do good deeds in the communities where they operate, if they put their minds to it. CITGO is a model corporate citizen, and I intend to ask other oil companies to follow CITGO's lead.

"I am also pleased that Citizen's Energy and Joseph Kennedy will be managing the operation of this program this year. Their expertise will mean that more people and buildings will benefit from the program. I salute their dedication to providing low income people with a helping hand in these times of high energy prices and increasing economic pressures."

Families interested in receiving the discount oil can call Citizens Energy Corporation at 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645) for an application.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/ny16_serrano/morenews/nl061117.html