More Money for Main Street

Dear friend,

This week I spoke to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and asked him to redirect Memphis’ recent TIGER grant funding to help improve downtown Memphis.  And Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) and I are sponsoring legislation to make changes to the Horse Protection Act of 1970 to provide additional protections to prohibit the soring of horses.

More Money for Main Street
Horse Protection Act
JetBlue Airways
Millington Naval Base
The Judicial Conference of the United States
Community Alliance for the Homeless
University of Memphis
Remembering 9/11
Army Sergeant Major Marvin Hill
Free Photo Identification
Grant Announcements

More Money for Main Street
Yesterday I spoke with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and requested a change in the City of Memphis’ recent Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IV grant that would redirect approximately $5.6 million to improvements in downtown Memphis.  The Secretary agreed to the proposed scope change which includes funding to add lighting and streetscape improvements; to make sidewalks safer and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; to provide drainage upgrades to prevent flooding and standing water on Main Street; and to create additional bike and pedestrian connections with the trolley, bus routes, the train station and landmarks like the Civil Rights Museum.

Horse Protection Act

This week I joined with Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) to introduce the Horse Protection Act Amendments of 2012. The measure will make changes to the Horse Protection Act of 1970 to provide additional protections to prohibit the soring of horses, an abusive practice used by some horse trainers in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.  In Tennessee, soring horses is illegal and unacceptable. Those responsible for abusing these horses should be punished severely and banned from the sport.  How we treat animals is a direct reflection of our character, both as individuals and a nation.  There is no ribbon, no prize nor championship worth the price of one’s humanity.  Click here to learn more.

JetBlue Airways
This week at a House Transportation Committee hearing I spoke to the CEO of JetBlue Airways and encouraged him to start operating JetBlue flights in Memphis.  I’ve been monitoring the mounting problems Memphis residents and businesses are experiencing with the unreasonably high ticket prices at Memphis International Airport.  I foresaw this problem years ago when the Delta and Northwest merger was first proposed and have been working ever since to remedy this situation.  As a result of airline deregulation, my power to influence ticket prices is limited, but I have been working to convince airlines such as JetBlue and Southwest to assume a larger role in the Memphis market which would increase competition and lower prices.  I have heard the numerous complaints of District 9 residents and businesses and vow to do what I can to lower prices and increase competition.

Millington Naval Base

This week I met with U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to discuss the importance of the Millington Naval Base.  Because that is where they keep personnel records, the base is integral to the successful operations of the Navy.  During our conversation Secretary Mabus expressed his continuing support of operations at Millington and I will continue to talk to him and others about the importance of the base.  House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was kind enough to drop by our meeting and talk to us about this important topic.

The Judicial Conference of the United States
This week I spoke before the Judicial Conference of the United States at the Supreme Court as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Court, Commercial and Administrative Law.  I praised Chief Justice John Roberts and Julia Gibbons -- a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit -- and discussed how important it is that we provide more federal funding for our courts, especially bankruptcy courts, and ensure that existing judgeship vacancies are filled in a timely manner.  Justice delayed is justice denied, and it is essential that we provide citizens with the justice and rights they deserve.

Community Alliance for the Homeless
On Monday I announced that the Administration on Children, Youth and Families awarded the Community Alliance for the Homeless in Memphis $877,173 to support housing for families in the child welfare system.  Homelessness is a concern in Memphis, especially when it impacts children.  These new federal funds will help families in the child welfare system so our kids can have a roof over their heads and the resources to live happy, stable lives.

University of Memphis
This week I announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded the University of Memphis $441,332 for drug abuse and addiction research programs. The funds will be distributed through the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  The University of Memphis is known throughout the country for its top-flight staff and research facilities.  With the help of this new federal funding, the University of Memphis will continue its standard of excellence in providing the scientific field with valuable data pertaining to drug addiction.

Remembering 9/11

This week I attended the Eleventh Observance of the September 11, 2001 Congressional Remembrance Ceremony on the East Front Steps of the Capitol.  Eleven years ago this week, America suffered the deadliest attack on domestic soil in our nation’s history.  Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives in a coordinated suicide attack targeting the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the White House or Capitol.  I urge everyone to take time to reflect on the events of that awful day and honor those who perished, their families, and those who continue to fight to protect our homeland from future terrorist attacks. Memphians in particular should remember and honor Gary Lasko and keep his family in their thoughts.  Gary Lasko hailed from our great city and died in the collapse of the first World Trade Center building.

September 11th is a day to remember those we lost, and to stand with their families and loved ones. As we pay tribute to those who perished on 9/11, we also honor all victims of terrorism, including those who have been targeted by al Qaeda and other groups around the globe.  Since 9/11, extraordinary efforts have been taken to keep America safe – by first responders and state and local authorities; law enforcement and the intelligence community; and diplomats and troops overseas.

As we pause to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day, let us also remember the way the nation came together in the days following the attacks.  I believe that the best way to honor the victims of 9/11 is to recall the spirit of national unity we all felt after the attacks and let it guide us as we move forward into the second decade of a post-9/11 world.  America needs to come together now more than ever. Please join me in keeping the victims of 9/11 and their families in our thoughts.  Please also join me in recognizing and honoring U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the other Americans who were killed in Libya earlier this week while serving their country.

Army Sergeant Major Marvin Hill
On Tuesday I spoke about Army Sergeant Major Marvin Hill and the service of our men and women in uniform on the House floor.  I also honored the victims of the September 11th attacks and their families.  Click here to see my remarks and click here to learn more about Sergeant Major Hill.

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.  To learn more about the new voter ID laws, visit my website here.

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