José E. Serrano

the small number of Latinos working in the federal workforce

Let me echo Mr. Wolf's comments on the fine set of hearings you have been holding.

I am concerned that this is not a wise use of our resources and I am particularly concerned that our federal law enforcement seems to be overly focused on Latinos in that particular area.

It is such an important issue.

Do you recall, I should know the date, it was in the 80s, the Mariel boatlift, the folks that came from Cuba.

the number one issue obviously for them was some sort of comprehensive immigration reform

Mr. Wolf has a reputation, as you well know, for being very, very strong on the issue of human rights throughout the world.

Congressman Serrano knows that the men in blue in New York City with Ready, Willing and Able on the back, that clean up four of the five boroughs.

Twenty years ago I spent 16 years before that in the state assembly, and I always found in New York that it was easier to get people to vote for the building of prisons than it was to get them to vote for programs for folks coming out of…

What we couldn't establish clearly at that hearing... was a largely significant number of those folks in prison for immigration related issues?

Are we looking at a day when climate change will not have us know areas as we know them now?

Diversity does not mean, in my opinion and the opinion of most, not just making sure everybody gets a fair break, but inviting certain members of certain communities to participate in areas they usually don't participate in.

So is it that the weather has gotten worse or is it that CNN and Fox can give it to me live with pictures right there with the reporter being blown away by the wind.

If you have an agenda like I do, you do know that name.

When you say the international community, does that include nations that we may not have good political relations with?

Or are they not at liberty to tell us something is coming our way?

If you walked into a room, a classroom of third graders... what would you tell them about what is in store for the future?

I encourage the work you are doing and I support it. I encourage it.

I cannot help but notice the number of young people that are in this room right now behind you.

That used to be the life span of a member of Congress, about three to five years in Congress.

So if you see something approaching a country that we are not crazy about, you are not at liberty to tell them there is something coming your way?

But I wonder if we should not evoke just as much energy talking to other countries about trees, and about water, and about the air.

I appreciate this opportunity. It pays to get here earlier.

Well, we thank you for your testimony.

heaven forbid New York City was attacked again, will people be able to communicate with each other as you understand it now?