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Stopping the Excessive Use of Police Force

August 22, 2014
Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This week, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez came to Memphis and visited the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center, I announced more than $2 million in federal funds to help support research at the University of Memphis and St. Jude, and I continued my work to stop the excessive use of force by local police departments around the nation. Keep reading to learn more about what happened this week.

Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez Visits Memphis
Stopping Excessive and Deadly Use of Police Force
$2.3 Million in Grants for Memphis
Congratulating Some of the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds”
Facebook Photo Contest
President Obama Seeking Mentors for Young People
Make Sure to Claim Unclaimed Property

Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez Visits Memphis

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On Wednesday, United States Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Job Corps by visiting the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center in Memphis, which is one of the top performers out of all 125 Job Corps centers in the nation. The Job Corps program helps students around the nation learn the skills they need to win and keep good jobs in several sectors of our economy. The Job Corps is an incredibly important job-training program that also can help young people who have dropped out of school earn their diplomas and succeed in the workforce.

As Secretary Perez wrote in a Commercial Appeal column this week, “since the [Benjamin Hooks Job Corps] center opened in 1997, nearly 8,000 students have walked through its doors and come out better prepared for a successful career. Their outcomes reflect their determination. In 2013, more than 80 percent of these students were placed in jobs, entered the military or continued their education… We must continue to invest in the education and empowerment of young people to secure a brighter future.” I am pleased that the Secretary visited our city and I agree that we must continue to support this important program.

Stopping Excessive and Deadly Use of Police Force

As the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, last week I joined Ranking Member of the full Judiciary Committee John Conyers of Michigan and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime Bobby Scott from Virginia in demanding that Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte convene a Congressional hearing on recent incidents of local law enforcement using excessive—sometimes deadly—force and other violations where civil rights have been infringed upon.

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In our letter to Chairman Goodlatte, we highlighted the troubling events that have transpired in Ferguson, Missouri and those of similar nature that have occurred recently in New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston. Our letter also expresses concern over the extensive militarization of local law enforcement. Last Friday, I joined Michael Eric Dyson on MSNBC’s The Ed Show to discuss our demand for an investigation into these issues, and you can watch our discussion here. I will also be on MSNBC this Sunday to discuss these troubling issues; I hope you’ll tune in just after 11:30AM CT. The use of overwhelming force by police against unarmed citizens requires the urgent attention of Congress. I hope Chairman Goodlatte convenes a Judiciary Committee hearing on this issue as soon as possible.

$2.3 Million in Grants for Memphis

This week, I was pleased to announce several grants for research projects in Memphis. On Wednesday, I announced almost $1.2 million in federal funds for 3 different projects at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and yesterday I announced more than $1.1 million in federal funding for four projects at the University of Memphis. More info about the grants to St. Jude can be found here, and more info about the University of Memphis grants can be found here.

Congratulating Some of the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds”

Two researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Dr. Karen Johnson and Dr. David Nelson, were recently named in Thomson Reuters’ new “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds of 2014” report. The report, which distinguishes scientists and researchers who have written the greatest number of articles ranking among the top 1% most cited for their subject field and year of publication, is available here.

This report reaffirms what we have long known: that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is home to some of the best researchers and scientists in the world. Doctors Johnson and Nelson should be proud of their impressive work, and I congratulate them both on this significant distinction.

Facebook Photo Contest

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I’m updating my Facebook cover photo—and my next one could be a photo that you took! If you have a great photo that represents the Ninth District and you'd like to have it highlighted on my Facebook page, please click the link below to send it to me. I'll post the best photos sent in an album next week, and anyone who "likes" my page will be able to vote to choose which photo will be my next cover photo.

President Obama Seeking Mentors for Young People

It is important that all children can count on caring adults who are engaged in their lives, but too many young people lack this important support. That’s why President Obama is calling on Americans to sign up as long-term mentors to young people through his new “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative. The President is seeking people from all walks of life who want to develop sustained and direct mentoring relationships that will play vital roles in the lives of young people in Memphis and around the country. If you are interested in signing up to help young adults in our city stay on track, you can do so here.

Make Sure to Claim Unclaimed Property

The State of Tennessee maintains a searchable database of unclaimed property, which can include bank accounts, stocks and dividends, wages, refunds, insurance payments, gift certificates, credit balances and overpayments, and a number of other things. There is no cost for accessing the database, and you may find that you are owed money or property. If you have not searched the database yet or if you haven’t searched in a while, you can visit https://www.claimittn.gov and see for yourself whether the state is holding any property or assets for you. And you may pass this information along to your friends and family as well!

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,

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Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Issues:9th DistrictDefenseEducationHomeland SecurityMemphisScience and TechnologyShelby CountyTennessee