Helping Bring Justice to Sexual Assault Victims
Dear Friend,
This week, my House Floor tribute to baseball All-Star Minnie Minoso was included in his official memorial ceremony, $41 million that I helped through Congress was made available to help reduce the rape kit backlog, and I announced almost $2 million for infants and toddlers in the Memphis-area. Keep reading to learn more about what happened this week, or if you’d like to receive the updates in this eNewsletter (and more) as they happen simply “like” my Facebook page. Be sure to check it regularly, as it will be updated often with news, pictures, and videos!
Helping Bring Justice to Sexual Assault Victims
Remembering Minnie Minoso
Supporting Memphis Families
Protecting the Sanctity of the House Chamber
Getting Memphians Bigger Tax Returns
Voting to Protect the Environment
Helping Bring Justice to Sexual Assault Victims
Grants to help communities like Memphis cut through backlogs of untested rape kits are now available from the federal government thanks to a $41 million budget line item I championed and helped to increase in the 2015 budget. You can read more about these new grant programs and find eligibility information here.
Ever since an exhibition game in Memphis where he—through a white player because of segregation—gave me a baseball and befriended me when I was only 5, Minnie has been a hero of mine. Over my lifetime, Minnie became my friend and he was like part of my family, and I’ll miss him. Last week, I paid tribute to his life on the House Floor, and over the weekend my speech was included in the official memorial service held in Chicago. You can watch it here.
Supporting Memphis Families
Today, I was proud to announce a more than $1.8 million federal grant to support Early Head Start in Shelby County. This funding is an investment in our children, an investment in our families, and an investment in our future. Click here for more information.
Protecting the Sanctity of the House Chamber
As I predicted, footage from Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to Congress last week is being used for political purposes in Israel. The use of Congressional proceedings in campaign ads is prohibited for Members of Congress and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s predictable use of this footage is one of several reasons I did not attend his speech. Click here to read my full statement regarding this advertisement.
Getting Memphians Bigger Tax Returns
The Earned Income Tax Credit adds an average of $2,400 to qualifying tax refunds and is too important for people to overlook. I hope all citizens of the Ninth District take advantage of credit if they are eligible for it. More information can be found here.
Voting to Protect the Environment
I was honored to receive a 97% voting grade from the League of Conservation Voters for my record on the environment. Read more about my votes and the LCV scorecard here.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress