Media

Washington, DC –The development of a “Sponge Park” along Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal took another step forward this afternoon when the FY 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations conference report was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill included $300,000 for the project, which will incorporate greenery along the banks of the Canal to manage excess runoff and help improve water quality. Congresswoman Nydia M.

Washington, DC – During today’s early morning commute, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) joined NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council Member Diana Reyna in an effort to alert the Bushwick community to an alleged hate crime committed on September 23, 2009. The leaders urged individuals with knowledge of the crime to call the City’s Crime Stoppers Hotline. The incident, in which a Hispanic male was assaulted, is being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force Unit.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) issued the following statement today urging the Environmental Protection Agency to complete its review and designate the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek as federal Superfund sites:

“Securing a healthy environment for New York City families is the single most important factor in choosing a course of action for cleaning both the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek. Superfund designation will thoroughly remove hazards and transform these waterways into a source of pride for our community.

Washington, DC – Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved $134,000 in federal resources for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study currently underway at the Gowanus Canal and Bay. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations conference report. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) applauded the funding as the next step toward completing this important study.

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) presented Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) with $122,821 in federal resources to help spur economic development in the community. The funds will support the Cypress Hills Economic Revitalization Initiative (CHERI), a program aimed at strengthening local entrepreneurs, providing job training, foreclosure prevention and financial literacy. This is part of a larger federal investment, totaling more than $850,000, which the organization has received over the past year.

New York City – Representatives Nydia Velázquez (D – Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens) and Anthony D. Weiner (D – Brooklyn and Queens) today commented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that it would nominate Newtown Creek, home to the largest coastal oil spill in American history, to its National Priorities List of Superfund sites. This begins the process of making the companies responsible for the pollution pay for the cleanup of Newton Creek, one of the most populated waterways in the country.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) made the following comments tonight after the President’s address to a Joint Session of Congress regarding health care:

“Rising health insurance costs are hurting families and burdening many small businesses that are trying to do right by their employees. Too many Americans, including almost one in three Hispanics, lack health insurance coverage. These challenges are not going away and they demand action.

NEW YORK – A Brooklyn financial institution has been selected to receive a $700,000 award from the U.S. Department of Treasury in support of its efforts to provide financial services to underserved communities. The First American International Bank will use the funds to offer affordable home mortgage loans, housing development loans, commercial real estate loans and home improvement loans to the local community. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) applauded the local bank for providing responsible lending opportunities to New Yorkers.