On the recordMarch 31, 2022
I have the privilege of representing two historic and iconic districts in the 13th Congressional District. Harlem is the center, the mecca, of the African-American diaspora. It is the center of culture, of music, of literature for the Black community with the Apollo, the Schomburg, and other great historical institutions. The other neighborhood that I represent, Mr. Speaker, is East Harlem, El Barrio, which is the launching pad for the Latino experience in New York City. It was the home, the cradle, for the Puerto Rican community that opened its doors to Dominicans, Ecuadorians, Colombians, Central and South Americans. They really are two historic districts within the 13th Congressional District. Today, we mark a new day for those two communities with regard to transit access. This week, President Biden announced and submitted to Congress a strong and visionary budget. It included $4.5 billion for the Capital Investment Grant program, which includes $400 million for the construction of the second phase of the Second Avenue subway extension. The first phase was completed not too long ago, several years ago, and it went from 96th Street south to 72nd Street, touching some of the most affluent ZIP Codes in the country. This phase, the second phase, will go north to 125th Street. Some people have categorized it and called it Uptown Grand Central. It would connect East Harlem, El Barrio, and Harlem at 125th Street to the rest of the world.…
