Honoring the Memphis State Eight

Dear friend,

This week we honored the accomplishments of the Memphis State Eight at the University of Memphis with a ceremony and plaque.  And Republican Leadership has recessed the House until November 13 without considering or acting on many important bills.  On Thursday I voted for the House to stay in session so that Congress could consider legislation that would help create jobs and help middle class families, small businesses, seniors, farmers, and women.

Honoring the Memphis State Eight
Voting to Stay in Session
Hollis F. Price Middle College
LeMoyne-Owen College
UTHSC
Amtrak
Veterans
Helsinki Commission
Free Imprisoned Russian Musicians
Alzheimer’s Action Day
Hispanic Heritage Month
Free Photo Identification
Grant Announcements

Honoring the Memphis State Eight

This week I spoke at a ceremony at the University of Memphis honoring the Memphis State Eight – the University’s first African-American students in 1959.  Seven of the original eight attended this inspiring ceremony and a plaque recognizing their accomplishments was unveiled for future generations to observe.  The Memphis State Eight consist of Rose Blakney, Sammie Burnett, Eleanor Gandy, Marvis LaVerne Kneeland, Luther McClellan, Ralph Prater, Bertha Rogers and John Simpson.  A documentary about the Memphis State Eight is currently in the works and will be released sometime this Fall.  Click here to learn more about the Memphis State Eight.

Voting to Stay in Session
Republican Leadership has recessed the House until November 13 without considering or acting on many important bills.  On Thursday I voted for the House to stay in session so that Congress could consider middle class tax cuts, a jobs creation bill, legislation to help the U.S. Post Office, a Russian trade treaty, renewal of expiring tax provisions that include the ability for Tennesseans to deduct sales taxes, child tax credits, and other important measures that would help people in Memphis and across the country.  But the Republican Majority brushed aside these efforts because Republicans would rather concentrate on election year politics instead of helping American families through tough economic times.

Our nation can ill-afford economic uncertainty that will result from Congress remaining idle for another six weeks.  The American people are counting on us to keep moving the nation forward for jobs, economic recovery, and a stronger middle class.  Instead of recessing yet again, the House should remain at work and pass critical legislation that will create jobs for the middle class.  Republicans must not run out the clock on the economy.

Democrats are committed to staying in session as long as it takes to ensure certainty for the middle class, growth for the economy, and the creation of jobs for the American people.  The American people want us to work together and we’re ready to get the job done.  Click here to see a letter Democratic Leadership sent House Speaker John Boehner urging him to cancel recess.

Hollis F. Price Middle College

I spoke on the House floor today to congratulate Hollis F. Price Middle College for receiving the U.S. News & World Report “Bronze” Recognition as one of 2012’s BEST High Schools in the country.  U.S. News & World Report ranked nearly 22,000 public high schools across the country and I am proud that one of our Memphis City Schools was recognized.  I want to commend Principal Daphne Beasley, the faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication.  I also want to congratulate the students of Hollis Price and their parents on this great achievement.

LeMoyne-Owen College
On Monday I announced that the U.S. Department of Education awarded $1,252,908 to LeMoyne-Owen College under the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program.  The college will be using the funds for academic and capital support.

UTHSC
On Tuesday I announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded the University of Tennessee Health Science Center $400,000 for the Tennessee Network for Trauma-Informed and Evidence-Based Systems project. The funds will be distributed through the Center for Mental Health Services.

Amtrak

Yesterday I spoke at a House Transportation hearing entitled “A Review of Amtrak Operations: Examining 41 Years of Taxpayer Subsidies.”  I discussed the importance of rail to America’s economic future considering the high price of gas and airline fares in Memphis and the rest of the country.  Click here to see my remarks.

Veterans
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Memphis has been named among the top performing hospitals in the country in “Improving America’s Hospitals: The Joint Commission Annual Report on Quality and Safety 2012.” These 620 hospitals represent approximately 18 percent of more than 3,300 Joint Commission accredited hospitals reporting core measure performance data.  The report recognizes these hospitals as leading the way nationally in using evidence-based care processes closely linked to positive patient outcomes.  The Memphis VAMC was recognized in the areas of Heart Attack, Heart Failure, and Pneumonia.

Also, throughout September and beyond, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense and other agencies -- while urging community-based organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, health care providers, and private companies -- to stand by Veterans and Servicemembers by helping educate their networks, which include Veterans, Servicemembers and their families and friends, about recognizing suicide risk among the military and encouraging those at risk to call the Veterans Crisis Line (800.273.8255) for help.  Those in need of help can also chat online with those who can help at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text to 838255.

Helsinki Commission
Yesterday I participated in a Helsinki Commission hearing on “Georgia’s Parliamentary Election: How Free and Fair Has the Campaign Been, and How Should the U.S. Government Respond?”  Georgia’s Parliamentary elections will take place on October 1.  The Georgian government is working to hold free and transparent elections and this will be a litmus test for democracy.  The world is watching this election very carefully because Georgia’s future and international reputation is at stake. These elections are an important test for Georgia’s democracy.

Free Imprisoned Russian Musicians
Yesterday I met with the husband of one of the women who belong to a punk music group in Russia that has been imprisoned.  Last month I sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin imploring him to free the members of the group.  Three members of the band -- Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina -- were recently sentenced to two years in prison for a performance at Christ the Savior Cathedral.

These young women, charged with committing an act of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility,” were subject to a trial that has discredited the Russian judicial system, and is generally seen as farcical -- particularly as the judge refused to consider the women’s testimony or to hear witnesses for the defense.  It is also ironic that Russia, which until recently was ruled by Communists who tried to banish all religion, would now consider disrespecting a church to be worthy of prosecution.  It appears that the true motivation behind this case was to stifle protest against President Putin and to increase his power by forming an alliance with the church.  The behavior and reasoning of the judge – who criticized the defendants’ “active position in life” and “tendency to express their opinions categorically” – cannot plausibly be viewed as impartial. The sentence of two years imprisonment for their performance at the Cathedral is in any case draconian.

Without going into the merits or demerits of the Russian law relating to “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility,” it is important to uphold the principles of fair trial and humane sentencing as fundamental responsibilities of a just government.  I am a strong supporter of good relations with Russia and feel it is important to work together on issues regarding nuclear weapons reduction and energy production issues but the case of these young women receiving such harsh sentences for expressing themselves artistically and politically shows that the Russian judiciary lacks due process and respect for personal freedom of speech.

Alzheimer’s Action Day
Today is World Alzheimer’s Action Day. Alzheimer’s is a global epidemic with 36 million people worldwide living with dementia and more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease is not just memory loss – Alzheimer’s kills. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only cause of death in top 10 without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progress.  Click here to learn more about how you can prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025; Enhance care quality and efficiency; Expand support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families; Enhance public awareness and engagement; and improve data to track progress.

Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 through October 15 of each year we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.  Economically, culturally, and politically, Latinos are a vital part of our nation. As one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in our country, the 51 million-strong Hispanic community makes America a better and stronger nation.  The hope of Hispanics for a better, more prosperous future is shared by all Americans.  During Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the Hispanic community and pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that Hispanics have made throughout our nation’s history in business, education, government, the arts, and the armed forces.

Free Photo Identification
State officials recently announced plans to open eight driver service centers, including one in Memphis, on the first Saturday of October and November to give citizens more opportunities to get photo identification cards required for voting in the November election.  The centers will open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 6 and November 3 but only for issuing voter photo IDs and converting non-photo driver’s licenses into photo driver’s licenses.  In Shelby County, only the driver service center at 3200 East Shelby Drive will open on the two Saturdays.

However, registered voters without any of the government-issued photo IDs approved for voting purposes may obtain the voter photo IDs at the three other driver service centers in Shelby County during their regular business hours -- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. They are at 3040 Walnut Grove, 6340 Summer and 5019 West Union Road in Millington. They are also available at the limited-service License Reinstatement Center in Hickory Ridge Mall during its regular business hours on weekdays.  If you only need to get an ID for voting purposes, there is a special line to serve your needs.  And if you are a Veteran who needs ID you can get free government-issued photo IDs at the Veterans Administration.

Grant Announcements
I regularly 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 regularly on my website.

Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress