Latest Building a Healthier Memphis: Vaccinations
Dear Friend,
This week, I hosted my latest “Building a Healthier Memphis” event to highlight how important it is that Memphis parents ensure their children receive the appropriate vaccines, we commemorated the 47th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in South Carolina another unarmed African-American male was killed by a police officer.
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.
Building a Healthier Memphis with Vaccinations
From Heartache to Harmony: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Supporting Innovative Clean Energy Efforts at FedEx
Stopping Further Police Shootings
Creating Jobs in Memphis
Getting Memphians Bigger Tax Returns
Helping Uninsured Memphians Gain Health Care Coverage
Securing Half a Billion Dollars for Tennessee Hospitals
Recognizing the 150th Anniversary of Tennessee Ratifying the 13th Amendment
Celebrating Earth Month
Building a Healthier Memphis with Vaccinations
As a polio survivor, I know first-hand what can happen when children aren’t vaccinated. Physicians and health professionals agree there is no danger in vaccines—the junk science that led many to believe that vaccines cause autism has been totally debunked. Vaccines do save lives. This morning, I hosted a discussion on the importance of vaccinations at Church Health Center Wellness. Read more about it here. I also was on WREG 3’s Live at 9 on Wednesday to discuss this issue—if you missed me you can watch the segment here.
From Heartache to Harmony: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On Saturday, I participated in the National Civil Rights Museum’s Heartache to Harmony musical tribute commemorating the 47th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel. Dr. King was an American hero whose dream was not just for civil rights and social justice, but for economic justice as well. Dr. King inspired a movement that changed our country forever and for the better. Sadly, when it comes to issues like eliminating poverty and protecting the rights of Americans to vote or for workers to organize, Dr. King's dream is still just that: a dream. But there are many still fighting the fight because we share that dream, and we will not waver until Dr. King’s dream is a reality.
Supporting Innovative Clean Energy Efforts at FedEx
I helped roll-out new hydrogen fuel cell equipment at FedEx, which will improve our environment by reducing carbon footprints while bolstering our economy, this week. You can read more about this project and FedEx’s cutting edge technology here.
Stopping Further Police Shootings
We don't know how many Americans have been victims of unjustified police shootings, but we know that Walter Scott in North Charleston, SC, isn't the only one. I’ve introduced a bill that more than a dozen of my colleagues have cosponsored to help address this problem and make sure this information is reported and made available to the public. Read more about the bill here.
Creating Jobs in Memphis
On Thursday, I visited Atlantic Track’s Memphis facility, which is expanding its rail supply business due to international demand. They have created about 40 jobs in our city.
I also announced a new federal grant on Wednesday that will help Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis create more than 50 jobs and save 30 more while preparing students with the skills they need to enter our modern workforce. Read more about this funding here.
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.
Helping Uninsured Memphians Gain Health Care Coverage
As you prepare to file your taxes this year, you may notice that your refund is smaller than you had expected if you did not have health insurance coverage last year. You can avoid a similar reduction in next year's tax refund by ensuring that you are enrolled in a qualified health insurance plan this year. HealthCare.gov has opened a special enrollment period for families and individuals who did not have coverage and are seeing reduced refunds or increased taxes owed. Click here to find out more about how to take advantage of this special enrollment period and lower your tax burden.
Securing Half a Billion Dollars for Tennessee Hospitals
Don’t miss this informative story by Michael Collins in the Commercial Appeal about my work in the U.S. House of Representatives to secure more than half a billion dollars to help support Tennessee hospitals’ treatment of disproportionately poor populations.
Recognizing the 150th Anniversary of Tennessee Ratifying the 13th Amendment
150 years ago this week, Tennessee ratified the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. I am proud of my work writing and passing H.Res.194, the first and only official Congressional apology for slavery and Jim Crow laws, through the House but we can still do more to rectify the lingering consequences of these injustices. I will continue working in Congress to see that the Voting Rights Act is restored and to fully protect every American’s civil rights so that our country can better live up to its ideal that all individuals are created equal.
Celebrating Earth Month
I was pleased to speak at the first annual Earth Month Business Conference about resources available to Memphis small- and medium-sized businesses to help them become sustainable and earth-friendly while improving their economic outlooks.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress