school dropout crisis. Then in 1985 he ran for Bronx borough president, heading the Democratic organization, and nearly one. Two years later when Congressman Garcia was forced out because of his scandal with minority contractor Wedtech, the door was opened to Serrano’s election to the House. Mr. Serrano is a career politician to this day.During Serrano’s first term he served on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and on the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, and then on the Subcommittees on the Legislative Branch, the District of Columbia, and Agriculture. When the Democratic Party got serious about "looking more like America" in the 103rd Congress, Serrano received a seat on the Appropriations Committee. In 1994, when Americans put more Republicans in the House, Serrano lost his seat as the committee's party ratios changed in favor of the GOP. But the new minority Democratic leadership gave Serrano a soft landing. They provided him with a prestigious leadership assignment and a seat on the Judiciary Committee. In the 104th Congress, Serrano served as vice chairman, along with Pete Peterson of Florida, of the Steering Committee, the leadership panel that makes committee assignments. Then on March 18, 1996 Jos E. Serrano was re-appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Following House rules, Serrano resigned from the House Judiciary Committee to accept the new committee seat. During the first session of the 105th Congress, Serrano became Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Legislative Branch and third ranking Democratic member on its Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies. On the first day of the 105th Congress, Serrano introduced 16 pieces of legislation on education, nutrition, crime prevention, and other issues. He is currently At-Large Whip for the Democratic Leadership. He is al...
