Securing $15 Million for Main to Main Project

Dear friend,

This week I announced that the City of Memphis will receive a federal TIGER 2012 grant worth almost $15 million for the Main Street to Main Street Multi-Modal Connector Project -- the region’s most ambitious bicycle/pedestrian project to date.

Securing $15 Million for the Main to Main Project
Helping Veteran Owned Businesses and Jobs
2011 Defender of Children Award
Fighting Big Oil
Buckman International
Le Bonheur and UTHSC
University of Memphis
Marissa Knox
Where Hiring is Strongest
Medical Marijuana
National Council for Research on Women
Juneteenth
Up With Chris Hayes on MSNBC
Environmental Job Training
Free Photo Identification
Grant Announcements

Securing $15 Million for the Main to Main Project

On Tuesday I announced that the City of Memphis has received a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2012 Discretionary Grant worth $14,939,000 for the Main Street to Main Street Multi-Modal Connector Project -- the region’s most ambitious and impressive bicycle/pedestrian project to date.  I worked for nearly three years to secure this funding and these new federal funds will help improve livability in downtown Memphis, will increase tourism, will drive economic development and create jobs, make our city more attractive to young people, and enable people to bike over the historic, scenic Mississippi River.

By creating a bicycle/pedestrian trail that utilizes the historic Harahan Bridge to provide a crossing of the Mississippi River, this project will increase connectivity between two cities, two counties and two states.  The project also will make much needed repairs and improvements to the Main Street Trolley and the Central Station rail (Amtrak) and bus terminal, which are centerpieces of downtown Memphis transit and passenger rail infrastructure.

This project -- which will connect Shelby Farms by bike through downtown Memphis and into Arkansas and is a major uplift for Main Street -- is widely supported by citizens and local governments from both Tennessee and Arkansas.  These individuals, private entities and governmental bodies have demonstrated their support by contributing roughly $15 million to finance this important and innovative project.  For an in-depth description of the project please click here.

Helping Veteran Owned Businesses and Jobs
Yesterday I introduced legislation that would give preference for Veterans Administration (VA) contracts to small businesses owned by veterans that are headquartered near the vicinity of the VA where the project is to be completed.  Veterans give so much of themselves for our country.  It’s only right that we help them when their service ends.  My bill would help veterans-owned businesses win contracts from the VA that will ultimately help our community of veterans and the community at large.  Also, private and public companies are looking to hire Veterans.  More than 24,000 jobs are available now on http://vaforvets.va.gov. Federal employers looking to hire Veterans include VA and the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice and Commerce.

2011 Defender of Children Award

On Wednesday I received the 2011 Defender of Children Award from the First Focus Campaign for Children.  I was recognized for my strong commitment to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation by working to make children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.

Fighting Big Oil
This week I spoke on the House floor against legislation the GOP authored to give Big Oil more tax breaks and giveaways.  Click here to see my remarks.

Buckman International
On Monday I announced that Buckman International – based in Memphis – has been awarded a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Buckman International has long been respected for its efforts to help protect our environment while also doing its best to create jobs in the Memphis region.  The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award is a prestigious recognition that should be a goal for all chemical companies and Buckman has already won two in the past decade – an accomplishment to be very proud of.

Le Bonheur and UTHSC
Last Friday I announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded Le Bonheur Community Health and Well Being $2,896,416 to implement and test a comprehensive community-based care model to “close the loop” in the continuum of care for pediatric asthma patients in Memphis and Shelby County.  

I also announced that HHS awarded the University of Tennessee Health Science Center $2,977,865 to improve medication adherence and effective medication usage among high-risk patients in the northwest and southwest sections of Memphis.  These new federal funds will train an estimated eight workers while creating an estimated 11 jobs.  The positions will include outreach workers, outreach directors and pharmacy techs.

University of Memphis
On Tuesday I announced that HHS awarded the University of Memphis $457,290 for alcohol research programs.  The funds will be distributed via the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Marissa Knox

This week I met with Marisa Knox, a 10th grader at Central High School who won the 2012 Congressional Art Competition for the 9th Congressional District.  Her artwork, entitled “Red Landscape,” is now hanging in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol.  The art competition provides an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of our young constituents.

Where Hiring is Strongest
According to a survey conducted by Gallup, Memphis is one of the cities with the highest proportion of employers hiring.  Click here to learn more.

Medical Marijuana
This week I participated in a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  I took this opportunity to ask DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart about the benefits and misperceptions of medical marijuana.  Click here to see us discuss this important issue.

National Council for Research on Women
On Wednesday I spoke at an event hosted by the National Council for Research on Women.  Lynda Sagrestano, the Director of the Center for Research of Women at the University of Memphis, invited me to speak and I was honored to discuss my legislative efforts over the years on childcare and increasing access to quality childcare for low income families.  Click here to learn more about the National Council for Research on Women and click here to learn more about the Center for Research of Women at the University of Memphis.  The University of Memphis and the University of Georgia recently conducted reports on the studies of distribution of childcare funds and Tennessee performed better on the distribution analysis than Georgia.

Juneteenth
On Tuesday I issued a statement recognizing Juneteenth, the oldest, nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, which is observed on June 19.  I also submitted a Statement for the Congressional Record recognizing the 147th Anniversary of Juneteenth and the 19th Annual Celebration of the Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival in Memphis.

Up With Chris Hayes on MSNBC

Last Sunday I was a guest on MSNBC’s “Up With Chris Hayes.” We discussed important topics like President Obama, Congress, housing, job creation and economic growth.  Click here if you’d like to see the show.

Environmental Job Training
The Memphis Bioworks Foundation will be conducting weekly Information Sessions at the Hollywood Community Center (1560 North Hollywood Street) each Wednesday through June 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to share information about signing up for a free environmental job training and placement program.  The program is for eligible unemployed and underemployed Memphis residents living in the 38103, 38107 and 38108 zip codes. The training offered includes conservation and energy awareness, recycling technologies awareness, forklift operations certification, and other programs.  This training is being provided by an Environmental Protection Agency grant that I supported.  You can learn more by contacting Ann Terry at aterry@memphisbioworks.org or by calling her at 901.281.7874.

Free Photo Identification
Shelby County driver service centers are no longer open on Saturdays but if you or someone you know still needs a photo ID for voting purposes you don’t have to wait in 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 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
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