Checking on “Check Engine” Lights

Dear friend,

This week I sent a letter to Governor Haslam to try to get to the bottom of the “check engine” light issue, which is causing Memphians to shell out hundreds of dollars for repairs that often don’t reduce emissions. I spent the week in Memphis and I had several office visits, including Mayors Luttrell and Wharton.

Checking on “Check Engine” Lights
Telephone Town Hall on Monday
Helping the Homeless in North Memphis
Judge John Fowlkes’ Senate Confirmation
Career Day at Corning Elementary
Rendezvous with Julian Bond
Meeting with the Mayors
Jobs Fair at Raleigh United Methodist Church
AmeriCorps Week
Mid-South Food Bank
JDRF’s “Promise to Remember Me”
Workforce Development with Bioworks
Velma Lois Jones
Free Photo Identification
Grant Announcements

Checking on “Check Engine” Lights

Like many other Memphians, my “check engine” light is on. In spite of the fact that my car passed a traditional tailpipe emissions test, I would fail the city’s vehicle registration inspection. Between the stories I have heard from my constituents and my own experience with the emissions testing, I believe the program is deeply flawed. Because the State voluntarily decided to implement this program, I have asked Governor Haslam to work with me to either eliminate it or significantly change it. While I believe we all have a part to play in protecting our air, it is inexcusable that hard-working Memphians have to shell out hundreds of dollars for repairs that will have limited if any emissions reductions benefits. You can read my letter to Governor Haslam here (PDF).

Telephone Town Hall on Monday
I am hosting a telephone town hall on the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act at 6:30pm CST on Monday, March 19 with Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Bill Corr. If you are a resident of Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District and would like to participate, please click here to sign up.

Helping the Homeless in North Memphis
This week I announced that HUD awarded a $446,653 grant to the North Memphis Community Development Corporation and the Trinity North Memphis Leasing Collaborative under its Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program. We have far too many people living on the streets in Memphis, and many of them are children and families. These funds will go to programs that will help give the homeless in North Memphis and the Raleigh-Frayser neighborhoods the tools they need to secure a stable home and live independently. The Commercial Appeal wrote an article on the grant and how it will be used, you can read it here.

Judge John Fowlkes’ Nomination

On Wednesday, Judge John Fowlkes appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee where he gave testimony on his qualifications to fill the vacancy in U.S. District Court left by the confirmation of Judge Bernice Donald. At the hearing, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker said, "I don't believe I've come across someone who has come before this committee and has been more highly recommended by people that I respect." I was pleased to submit Judge Fowlkes’ name to President Obama based not only on my personal recommendation but also thanks to the work of a bipartisan panel of members of the Memphis legal committee, who spent a full day interviewing possible candidates for the position. I believe that this is the first time that there’s ever been a bipartisan panel created to vet the candidates for a judicial nomination in Memphis. I was proud of the committee’s work and I look forward to Judge Fowlkes’ confirmation in the full Senate.

Career Day at Corning Elementary

Last Friday, I was invited by Mrs. EvereLee Palmer to speak to her 5th and 6th grade students at Corning Elementary for Career Day. Many of the students voiced an interest in pursuing careers in public service and I was very impressed with their energy and their interest in politics. I expect many of the students I met will go on to be great leaders in Memphis and in their communities.

Rendezvous with Julian Bond

Last night I was at Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous with civil rights leader Julian Bond, his wife Pam Hurwitz, former State Senator and Judge Russell Sugarmon, and his wife Gina to discuss the recent Civil Rights Pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis.  It was great to spend quality time with Julian Bond – who planned the annual pilgrimage – and the many others who participated.

Meeting with the Mayors
On Friday I also met with Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Downtown Memphis Commission President Paul Morris, and investor Henry Turley to discuss the different proposals for federal TIGER IV grants. I am working closely with both mayors to get federal funding for improvements on Highway 51, as well as the plan to improve the Main Street mall and the Harahan Bridge. The Memphis Daily News published an article on the proposed development plan, which you can read here.

Jobs Fair at Raleigh United Methodist Church

On Tuesday I went to the 6th Annual Jobs Fair at Raleigh United Methodist Church. While I was there, I saw over a thousand people in line, some of whom I know personally and who used to have good jobs. As I talked to so many people eager and desirous of work, I thought about the people on the other side of the aisle who are against extending unemployment compensation under the belief that it decreases incentive to find a job. Obviously, for the hundreds there seeking jobs, I could see that wasn’t true. Unemployment in Memphis rose last month to 9.4%, and the Republicans’ callous disregard for individuals who are unemployed and need assistance while they try to find work is simply inexcusable.

AmeriCorps Week

As part of AmeriCorps Week, I visited with local AmeriCorps members at Porter-Leath and spoke with them about the work they’re doing to reduce infant mortality in North Memphis. I spoke with two AmeriCorps members who work with young mothers aged 15-24, and I also went on a home visitation with a new mother to discuss what she’s learning through the Cornerstone program. AmeriCorps was created through the National and Community Service Trust Act, which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. It’s a good example of a federally funded program that is making a difference locally. To learn more about ways you can serve your local community though AmeriCorps or other community service programs, click here. To learn more about the Cornerstone program at Porter-Leath, you can follow this link.

Mid-South Food Bank

On Thursday I met with Estelle Mayhue-Greer and Tom and Barbara Southwell of the Mid-South Food Bank. Because of the downturn in the economy, the Mid-South Food Bank has been receiving fewer contributions while the need for food is increasing. I encourage you to support their efforts to fight hunger in Memphis. The Southwells are also Tigers fans – Go Tigers!

JDRF’s “Promise to Remember Me”
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation launched its annual “Promise to Remember Me” campaign this week, which encourages parents of children with Type I Diabetes to meet with their representatives in Congress and help them better understand the unique set of problems and challenges related to the disease. As part of the campaign, I met with the family of one of my former staffers, Sherman Greer, whose son has juvenile diabetes. Juvenile diabetes affects more than three million Americans, and you can learn more about the daily challenges of managing the disease by clicking here.

Workforce Development with Bioworks
On Thursday, I attended a luncheon and panel discussion hosted by Memphis Bioworks at the University Club. The panel discussion was about workforce development in biosciences and solar technology, and I heard about different ways we can train Memphians for a 21st century economy, including new opportunities to promote the creation of biomedical, bioagricultural, and solar jobs in the local economy.

Velma Lois Jones

Last month, Memphian Velma Lois Jones received the “Drum Majors for Service Award” from the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. I was honored to nominate her for this award and as a result, she was invited to the White House for a personal visit with President Obama. You can watch video of that event here.

Free Photo Identification
Shelby County driver service centers are no longer open on Saturday, but if you or someone you know still needs a photo ID for voting purposes you don’t have to wait in the driver’s license line. If you only need to get an ID for voting purposes, you can still visit any driver’s license renewal station in Shelby County during regular business hours and there is a special line to serve your needs. And to learn more about the new voter ID laws, visit my website here.  Also, Veterans who need ID can get free government-issued photo IDs at the Veterans Administration.

Grant Announcements
Each week I release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others.  These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated weekly on my website.

Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress