Jose M. Serrano
Encyclopedia
José Marco Serrano, son of the long-time US Representative by the same name, is a member of the New York State Senate
, representing Mott Haven
, Melrose
, Highbridge
, Morris Heights
, Spanish Harlem
, Yorkville
and Roosevelt Island
. He is the son of U.S. Congressman
José Serrano.
A lifelong South Bronx resident, Serrano was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2004. He beat out Republican Olga Mendez, a 26-year incumbent in the district.
Serrano graduated from Manhattan College
with a B.A. in Government, and went on to work for the New York Shakespeare Festival.
In 2001, Senator Serrano was elected to the New York City Council (District 17), representing Melrose
, Mott Haven
, Longwood
, and Hunt’s Point
. He focused on issues relating to affordable housing, daycare for children of low-income families, and the environment. He also chaired the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations.
Serrano ran for the Senate in 2004. According to the New York Times, which endorsed him, Serrano promised "to pursue unfinished and ignored business in the capital, including legislating an end to the Rockefeller drug laws." He would garner more than 80% of the vote in his victory over Olga Mendez.
In Albany, Serrano has thus far stuck to the core issues on his progressive agenda: environmental protection; affordable housing and healthcare; and promoting the arts as an economic engine. He was appointed Chair of the Senate Minority Task Force on the Arts and Cultural Affairs by Senate Minority Leader David Paterson. While in the minority, he served as Ranking Minority Member of the Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee. In January 2009 he was appointed Chairman of the Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee, a renamed version of the Tourism Committee.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
, representing Mott Haven
Mott Haven, Bronx
Mott Haven is a primarily residential neighborhood in the Southwestern section of The Bronx in New York City. Zip codes include 10451, 10454, and 10455. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1...
, Melrose
Melrose, Bronx
Melrose is primarily a residential neighborhood geographically located in the SouthWestern section of the borough of The Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1. Its boundaries, starting from the North and moving clockwise are: East 161st Street to the North,...
, Highbridge
Highbridge, Bronx
Highbridge is a residential neighborhood geographically located in the Southwestern section of The Bronx, New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 4. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the north, Jerome Avenue to...
, Morris Heights
Morris Heights, Bronx
Morris Heights is a low income residential neighborhood located in the west Bronx. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 5. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: West Burnside Avenue to the north, Jerome Avenue to the east, the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the...
, Spanish Harlem
Spanish Harlem
East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem and El Barrio, is a section of Harlem in the northeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. East Harlem is one of the largest predominantly Latino communities in New York City. It includes the area formerly known as Italian Harlem, in which...
, Yorkville
Yorkville
- Locations :In Canada:* Yorkville, Toronto, Ontario, a neighbourhoodIn the United States:*Yorkville, California, in Mendocino County**Yorkville Highlands AVA, California wine region in Mendocino County**Yorkville, Placer County, California*Yorkville, Georgia...
and Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island, known as Welfare Island from 1921 to 1973, and before that Blackwell's Island, is a narrow island in the East River of New York City. It lies between the island of Manhattan to its west and the borough of Queens to its east...
. He is the son of U.S. Congressman
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
José Serrano.
A lifelong South Bronx resident, Serrano was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2004. He beat out Republican Olga Mendez, a 26-year incumbent in the district.
Serrano graduated from Manhattan College
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college in the Lasallian tradition in New York City, United States. Despite the college's name, it is no longer located in Manhattan but in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 10 miles north of Midtown. Manhattan College offers...
with a B.A. in Government, and went on to work for the New York Shakespeare Festival.
In 2001, Senator Serrano was elected to the New York City Council (District 17), representing Melrose
Melrose, Bronx
Melrose is primarily a residential neighborhood geographically located in the SouthWestern section of the borough of The Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1. Its boundaries, starting from the North and moving clockwise are: East 161st Street to the North,...
, Mott Haven
Mott Haven, Bronx
Mott Haven is a primarily residential neighborhood in the Southwestern section of The Bronx in New York City. Zip codes include 10451, 10454, and 10455. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1...
, Longwood
Longwood, Bronx
Longwood is a low income residential neighborhood geographically located in the southwest Bronx, New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 2. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: East 167th Street to the north, the Bronx River & the Bruckner...
, and Hunt’s Point
Hunts Point, Bronx
Hunts Point is a low-income neighborhood located on a peninsula in the South Bronx in New York City. It is the location of one of the largest food distribution facilities in the world. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 2. Its boundaries are the Bruckner Expressway to the west and...
. He focused on issues relating to affordable housing, daycare for children of low-income families, and the environment. He also chaired the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations.
Serrano ran for the Senate in 2004. According to the New York Times, which endorsed him, Serrano promised "to pursue unfinished and ignored business in the capital, including legislating an end to the Rockefeller drug laws." He would garner more than 80% of the vote in his victory over Olga Mendez.
In Albany, Serrano has thus far stuck to the core issues on his progressive agenda: environmental protection; affordable housing and healthcare; and promoting the arts as an economic engine. He was appointed Chair of the Senate Minority Task Force on the Arts and Cultural Affairs by Senate Minority Leader David Paterson. While in the minority, he served as Ranking Minority Member of the Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee. In January 2009 he was appointed Chairman of the Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee, a renamed version of the Tourism Committee.