Media

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) issued the following statement in recognition of the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Rat, which begins today and is followed by 15 days of celebrations and festivals.

“Today we mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year, which will be recognized by more than 1.5 billion people around the world. In New York City, vibrant Chinatown communities in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Flushing, Queens will anchor the celebrations.

Washington, DC – February 6, 2008 – Today Congressman José E. Serrano (NY-16) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-12) called on Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) to apologize to the Puerto Rican people after the Florida Republican put out a statement saying that as “foreigners,” Puerto Ricans did not deserve tax rebates offered through the economic stimulus package.

WASHINGTON, DC – As local working families begin to prepare their tax returns, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today announced that free tax filing assistance is available for residents in New York’s 12th Congressional District who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Many New Yorkers watched the President deliver his final State of the Union address this evening. These hard-working Americans were looking to their chief executive for new ideas on how to bolster the sagging economy, address high housing and energy costs, and end the War in Iraq. The President delivered none of that.

President Bush chose to discuss what he believes to be successes in the War in Iraq, but each day that our troops remain in danger is a failure of his Administration. It’s clear that he doesn’t have a plan for withdrawal.

BROOKLYN, NY – Following reports in the media that a five-year-old child was detained using handcuffs by a New York Police Department (NYPD) school safety agent, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today called on NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly to investigate the incident.

BROOKLYN, NY – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today brought together a panel of housing and finance experts to discuss viable short- and long-term solutions to the mortgage foreclosure crisis threatening New York City homeowners. She will use discussions from the forum to formulate recommendations for Congressional action through the economic stimulus package.

NEW YORK – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez announced that she secured $3.2 million in federal funding for educational, economic development and environmental projects to benefit the community. The funding was secured in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bills.

NEW YORK – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) made the following statement after Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would no longer pursue his driver’s license plan.