Media

New York, NY –Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) presented Comunilife, Inc. with $167,000 in federal resources for a suicide prevention program for Latina teens and their families, Saturday. The funds will support the Life Is Precious initiative, which arms Hispanic girls with the tools needed to manage stress and combat depression. With suicide rates significantly higher among teenage Latinas than other ethnic groups, the Life Is Precious program is critical to making sure New York City youth live full, healthy lives.

Washington, DC –The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is receiving a short term emergency funding infusion of $23.5 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced today. The funds will be used to help cover a $45 million shortfall in the agency’s Section 8 program that has put 10,000 tenants’ rental assistance vouchers at risk of being revoked.

Washington, DC –A Puerto Rican television station that repeatedly aired anti-gay language while discussing the coming out of singer Ricky Martin has apologized after Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) asked for the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the matter. In a letter to Velázquez, WAPA TV said that its performers had apologized on-air and that it was launching a Public Service Campaign to raise awareness about inappropriate language.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives today in support of a Resolution offering sympathy to the people of Poland. Following are her remarks as prepared for delivery:

“The loss of President Kaczynski, Poland’s First Lady and the other dignitaries is not Poland’s tragedy, alone. All of us mourn the loss of those who helped spread the light of freedom during the Cold War.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented on the fire at Grand Street:

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented on passage of “the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”:

“For too long, working families have lived in fear that they are just one illness away from financial ruin. For too long, the men and women in my home state of New York have watched their premiums skyrocket, with family rates up 97% in the last decade. For too long, Latinos have been left behind, suffering the highest uninsured rate of any other community. Tonight, it is time to say enough.

Washington, DC – President Barack Obama last week signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, H.R. 2847. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-12), who chairs the U.S. House Committee on Small Business, hailed the new law for investing in small business and helping them fuel economic growth. The HIRE Act was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 217-201, and passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29.

NEW YORK – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-12) commented today on the federalization of 21 City and State owned public housing buildings, including the Bushwick and Rutgers facilities located in New York’s 12th Congressional District: