Media

Washington, DC –The U.S. House of Representatives approved $850,000 to benefit three programs in New York’s 12th Congressional District. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) said the funds will be used to provide career training services, English language education and community health resources to low-income residents. She pledged to continue working to support local organizations that bring vital services to New York City’s working families.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), along with her Puerto Rican colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, has sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisting that residents of Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories be fully included in any version of health care reform legislation that comes out of Congress.

The following is the text of their letter to Speaker Pelosi:

July 24, 2009

Washington, DC –The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $800,000 in federal resources to revitalize Brooklyn’s Moore Street Market and refurbish historic features in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. The projects were included in the FY2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) said the two projects would strengthen Brooklyn communities by promoting local commerce and tourism.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today heard testimony from federal, state and city housing officials, and advocates during a Congressional field hearing she hosted at New York City Hall. The meeting of the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity focused on two of the Congresswoman’s proposals that work to address key challenges facing public housing residents - employment opportunities and health care access for senior residents.

Washington, DC –Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved $300,000 in federal resources for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study currently underway at the Gowanus Canal and Bay. The funding will be used to continue the environmental evaluation and indentify the best approach for restoring the canal ecosystem. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) worked to include this project in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill.

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) delivered the following testimony during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The proposed Sponge Park along the banks of the fetid Gowanus Canal is finally living up to its name in one way: it’s soaking up federal money.

A pilot version of the park, whose name actually refers to how it will employ vegetation that would retain water and prevent sewer overflows on rainy days, could sprout thanks to a cool $300,000 earmark sponsored by Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Carroll Gardens).

WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business, has sent a letter to New York State Governor David Paterson and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, urging the leaders to include minority- and women-owned businesses in contracting opportunities made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The following is the text of Congresswoman Velázquez’s letter:

June 26, 2009