Homeland Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Beginning on November 17, Congressman Steve Cohen offered the following editorial to The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today, respectively. Ultimately it was published in the online version of Roll Call, read primarily by those who work on Capitol Hill -- not by the general public.
WASHINGTON, D.C – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today issued the following statement after learning of the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8). The Congresswoman was shot at a public event in Tucson, Arizona by a gunman who began firing indiscriminately into the crowd. At least five other people have been killed, and others have been injured – including members of Giffords’ staff and a federal judge.
During debate on the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriation Bill, the House included Congressman Cohen’s request to increase national funding for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant program by $3 million.
Congressman Cohen was among the 140,000 Memphis and Shelby County residents that lost power and experienced storm damage. The Congressman continues to monitor the situation closely from Washington, DC – including the restoration of power to the Ninth District’s homes and small businesses.
The text of the letter follows:
June 17, 2009
Phil Bredesen
Governor
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243
Governor Bredesen,
“These funds ensure that Memphis, the world’s distribution center, will have the resources to continue to ensure the safety of the cargo that passes through our ports,” said Congressman Cohen. “This is a matter of national security that has been put on the backburner for too long, and I’m very pleased to work with the Administration to keep the people of the 9th District and the nation safe.”
The legislation comes in response to constituents who inherited property damaged by the devastating 2008 tornadoes from relatives killed in the very same storm. Under current FEMA statute, heirs are not eligible for FEMA relief as they did not own the property in question at the time of the disaster.
“An earthquake on the New Madrid Fault line could prove disastrous for the Shelby County area,” Alexander said. “This funding will help protect nearly one million West Tennesseans on the MLGW grid from power outages should an earthquake hit. I’m glad to see the Department of Homeland Security recognizing the threat of an earthquake in the Greater Memphis Area, and I will continue to work with the rest of the Tennessee delegation to ensure we are prepared.”
As we mark the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we remember the thousands of innocent men, women and children who lost their lives on that day, and we extend our sympathies to their families, friends, and loved ones. We also continue to honor the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of those first responders, law enforcement personnel, volunteers, and others who risked their lives to aid the innocent victims of this horrific act of terror.
The MDRC will be open daily at the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Rd., Memphis, TN 38115; from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. until further notice.