The Serrano Report, Vol. X, #9

Statement

Serrano Discusses Puerto Rico Plebiscite With Attorney General

On Thursday, Congressman Serrano discussed the fiscal year 2014 Department of Justice budget request with Attorney General Eric Holder. The President's budget request for fiscal year 2014 included $2.5 million in funding to allow Puerto Rico to conduct voter education, as well as a plebiscite, on options to resolve Puerto Rico's political status.

"Attorney General Holder, I just wanted to thank the Department for including $2.5 million in funding to conduct voter education and a plebiscite to help resolve Puerto Rico's future relationship with the United States," said Serrano. "This funding is an important step to me, and to millions of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and in the 50 states, in defining a process that will allow Puerto Rico to truly determine the Constitutional relationship that they want to have with the United States. This language is an important response to a question that was on the ballot last November in Puerto Rico- whether the people of Puerto Rico wanted to remain in their current status, or to change to something different. The Puerto Rican people clearly voted for change. This funding is the logical next step in that process."

Attorney General Holder replied that while the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico will design the materials and plebiscite ballot, the Department of Justice must certify that those materials adhere to the Constitution, as well as the laws and policies of the United States.

Serrano Expresses Sadness at Boston Marathon Tragedy

In the wake of the bombing of the Boston Marathon on Monday, Congressman Serrano expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families and his outrage at the cowardly terrorist attacks.

"As a runner, I grieve for the celebration turned tragedy at the Boston Marathon on Monday. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. This sort of violence has no place in our nation. We stand united with the people of Boston and those who race or watch marathons in saying that this will not deter us and will not cause us to fear. We are stronger than these evil forces.

"I am grateful that the full power of the federal government has been used to find the perpetrators of these vile acts. Their cowardly attacks have not harmed the spirit of the American people. I know that because in the wake of the attacks, there were Americans who ran towards the chaos to help. There were runners who got back up after they fell and finished the race. And there were finishers who went straight to a hospital to give blood. That is the America that we cherish and that is the America that cannot be beaten."

Grant

Bridging Cultures Through Film

The National Endowment for the Humanities has recently announced the availability of funds through the Division of Public Programs to support the making of documentary films that spark Americans' engagement with the broader world. Successful applicants would propose film ideas that are grounded in humanities scholarship, and that work to explore countries and cultures outside of the United States. State and local governments, institutions of higher education, and other non-profits are all encouraged to apply.

Source