Obama Nominates Memphian to TVA Board

Dear friend,

Late last Friday President Obama nominated Memphian V. Lynn Evans, CPA, to the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) pending U.S. Senate approval.  I also announced that the Memphis International Airport received a federal grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for $31.8 million to be used for runway safety, pavement and security projects.

Obama Nominates Memphian to TVA Board
Memphis International Airport Receives $31.8 Million Grant
University of Memphis Research and Innovation Expo
Frayser Exchange Club
UTHSC Leads Cancer Research
Photo ID
Grant Announcements

Obama Nominates Memphian to TVA Board
Late last Friday President Obama nominated Memphian V. Lynn Evans, CPA, to the Board of Directors of the TVA pending U.S. Senate approval.  I was pleased to recommend Evans to President Obama for consideration.  If confirmed by the Senate, Evans will fill the position on the TVA Board currently held by Bishop William Graves who has reached the end of his second term on the Board.  I recommended Evans to President Obama because she is a superb accountant with extensive public and private sector experience.  She is intelligent, well-respected and admired throughout Memphis and Tennessee for her dedication to public service and her skills as an accountant.  She would serve the millions of people across the country who rely on the Tennessee Valley Authority well.  And President Obama expressed his confidence that Evans “will greatly serve the American people.”

Memphis International Airport Receives $31.8 Million Grant

On Monday I announced that the Memphis International Airport received a federal grant from the FAA for $31.8 million to be used for runway safety, pavement and security projects.  This $31.8 million grant is a great accomplishment for the Airport.  Our airport is our city’s economic engine and is integral in maintaining the flow of commerce across our nation and world.  These new federal funds will help ensure that the Airport can continue its long history as our nation’s premier cargo airport.  I’d like to congratulate the Airport on being awarded these funds and thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for their continued support of the Memphis transportation system.

University of Memphis Research and Innovation Expo

Yesterday I attended the University of Memphis Research and Innovation Expo. Four-star Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who commanded the U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, gave an opening speech about leadership.  Many Memphis-area companies, including BioWorks and St. Jude, exhibited some of their technological innovations which were achieved through government-funded research -- research and innovations that create jobs in our community.

Frayser Exchange Club
Yesterday I spoke to the Frayser Exchange Club about many issues that are affecting the neighborhood, including providing jobs and opportunities for citizens and the importance of investing in youth through quality, affordable education.  I discussed the jobs that will be created by the $15 million TIGER grant that I worked to secure for the Main to Main project. The project, which will create a bicycle/pedestrian causeway on the Harahan Bridge and make improvements to downtown infrastructure, will attract businesses, tourism and young people to downtown Memphis.  Among dozens in attendance were General Sessions Court Clerk Ed Stanton, Jr., Circuit Court Clerk Jimmy Moore and State Senator Beverly Marrero.

UTHSC Leads Cancer Research
On Tuesday I announced that the National Cancer Institute awarded a grant worth $766,747 to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for cancer research. Specifically, the project will focus on the predictors of smokeless tobacco use in the United States military.

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