Education
The House passed the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021), which provides funding to states and school districts to help ensure that school facilities and learning environments are safe, healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced. The legislation includes more than $110 million in funding for physical improvement projects for Tennessee’s schools.
“I am grateful to the Department of Education for awarding these funds to the Memphis City Schools system to improve emergency preparedness operations for our children,” said Congressman Cohen. “Our schools have a strong record of crisis management that has been recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education, and these monies will help school officials improve on an already solid foundation.”
“Picturing America is a unique program that gives students the opportunity to learn about some of America’s greatest works of art,” said Congressman Cohen. “Additionally, it provides educators with the tools and materials necessary to open this world up to their students. By bringing great art into our schools and libraries, this innovative program offers Americans of all ages the opportunity to learn about our history in a fresh and engaging way.”
“I was very pleased to announce this new grant for the UT Health Science Center,” said Congressman Cohen. “I have been fighting to make education more affordable for the people of the 9th District and this grant will certainly help that cause. These monies will help pay for the education of a new generation of young health care providers who might otherwise have been denied the opportunity to succeed. I applaud UT for giving talented yet disadvantaged students a chance, and the HHS for helping to fund these scholarships.”
“A key component to President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society, Head Start is one of the longest-running programs in our nation’s history that effectively assists lower-income and impoverished children,” said Congressman Cohen. “Increased funding for Head Start and other early childhood education and assistance programs was one of the top priorities of the New Congress and I believe we are making great strides.”
“I’m proud to be here and support this amendment with Congressman Cooper,” said Congressman Cohen. “In my district, LeMoyne-Owen College has struggled financially. It is an institution of long and historic importance to our community, and it has done a great deal for our city in educating young people and it continues to do so. This amendment would give LeMoyne-Owen additional help so they can continue to serve a mission that is unique in this country: providing quality, affordable higher education for the African-American community.”
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Steve Cohen voted for H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technological Opportunity Act. This legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 331 to 59.
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. House approved an appropriations amendment to increase funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities by $100 million and for Historically Black Graduate Schools by $25 million. Congressman Jim Cooper (TN-5), sponsor of the amendment, stated on the House floor, "The need is great. Historically Black Colleges and Universities across America need help and they need help now."
Washington, DC -- Today Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced the award of a U.S. Department of Education grant in the amount of $1,285,107 to LeMoyne-Owen College for the period of 10/01/2007 through 09/30/2008. The funding is from the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)-Institutional Aid Program. According to the Department of Education, it is anticipated that the program will be for a total of 5 years.