Press Releases

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today sent a letter to the top federal judge in Brooklyn requesting additional consideration for the new location and layout of the Federal Probation office. The letter was co-signed by members of the Brooklyn Congressional delegation, Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Representatives Edolphus Towns and Yvette D. Clarke.

The following letter was delivered this afternoon to Raymond J. Dearie, Chief Judge of the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York:

NEW YORK, NY – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today announced support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the implementation of a green roof initiative in Brooklyn. The Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC) will use the resources to create a 12,500 sq. ft. garden atop a Red Hook factory. This effort will demonstrate that green roof design has cost-effective, environmental benefits and should be implemented in future projects.

NEW YORK, NY – During a celebration of the arts held at Bushwick’s P.S. 257 elementary school, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today presented the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) with a check in the amount of $188,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice. The federal funding will be used to expand arts education in six public schools in the Bushwick and Red Hook communities.

NEW YORK, NY – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today presented El Puente with a check in the amount of $214,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal funding will be used to support a wellness program providing Brooklyn youth and their families with information on disease prevention and management. The health education initiative will focus on diseases that impact the North Brooklyn community, including obesity, diabetes, STDs, HIV/AIDS and environmentally-connected diseases like asthma.

Brooklyn, NY – With the opening of a new Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the New York City College of Technology, entrepreneurs in Brooklyn will gain increased access to the resources and technical expertise needed to help start a business or grow their existing firms. At the ribbon cutting yesterday Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y), Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Small Business, highlighted the importance of expanding entrepreneurial development services to foster small business growth and strengthen the economy.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today applauded action by the House of Representatives requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a full-site characterization of Newtown Creek and determine the true extent of the damage from a decades-old, underground petroleum spill. A measure requiring the study was included in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2830), which the House approved this afternoon.

“Trading one troubled agency for another is short-sighted, and it could not come at a worse time for the American people,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, who chairs the House Small Business Committee and is New York City’s senior Member on the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. “HUD’s crisis must be resolved without delay. But the fact remains the agency Mr. Preston has been responsible for leading is still plagued by serious problems of its own.

BROOKLYN, NY – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today announced legislation to provide community agencies with the funding and flexibility to create mentoring programs that best suit their needs for preventing teen pregnancy. During a visit to the High School for Enterprise, Business and Technology HS 478 in Williamsburg, Congresswoman Velázquez met with students and teachers to discuss the effectiveness of comprehensive sexual education efforts and the need for mentoring services.