Honoring Civil Rights Activist Daisy Bates in Statuary Hall
Dear Friend, This week, I attended the unveiling of a statue of civil rights activist and journalist Daisy Bates in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall. I also voted to extend the current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and authorities for a week while Senate negotiators sought compromise on a new and improved five-year FAA bill, announced $15.1 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding for Memphis and Shelby County, introduced the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act, congratulated Russian dissident journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza on winning this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, held a press conference and attended a community forum on reducing juvenile crime in Covington, met with Shelby and Tipton County REALTORS, congratulated East High School’s Namazzi Hampton on winning the annual Congressional Art Competition, announced a $1.2 grant to combat HIV/AIDS, and offered a weekly health tip regarding the nation’s nurses. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Honoring Civil Rights Activist Daisy Bates in Statuary Hall Awaiting Senate Action on FAA Reauthorization Announcing $15.1 Million in HUD Formula Funding for Memphis and Shelby County Introducing the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act Congratulating Vladimir Kara-Murza on Winning the Pulitzer Prize Fighting Juvenile Crime in Covington Meeting with Shelby and Tipton County REALTORS Applauding Namazzi Hampton for Winning the Congressional Art Competition Announcing $1.2 Million HIV/AIDS Grant Honoring Civil Rights Activist Daisy Bates in Statuary Hall On Wednesday, I attended the unveiling of a statue of civil rights activist, journalist and lecturer Daisy Bates (1914-1999) in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall. Bates is best known for helping the Little Rock Nine integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957 and for her speech at the 1963 March on Washington. The statue depicts Bates with a pen and notepad in one hand and a folded newspaper in the other, wearing an NAACP lapel pin. It was an inspiring celebration of the life of a deserving and heroic woman. Awaiting Senate Action on FAA Reauthorization On Wednesday, the House voted 385-24 to extend the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and authorities for another week while the Senate negotiated a compromise to pass a five-year reauthorization bill. The Senate passed the five-year bill and one-week extension on Thursday night, and I look forward to voting for the updated and improved bill, which includes several consumer protection and safety provisions I authored, next week. Announcing $15.1 Million in HUD Formula Funding for Memphis and Shelby County On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released formula funding for its major planning and development programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Memphis will receive $13,592,584 and Shelby County will receive $1,594,934 in the current fiscal year. See details in my release on the funding here. Introducing the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act On Friday, I introduced the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act to create an ombudsman-like position for traffic accident victims at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Traffic accident victims and their families deserve an advocate in DOT listening to their ideas for improving roadway safety, especially after suffering from a traffic crash. The DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act will help ensure that victim-advocates have a point of contact to work with at DOT and give them a more permanent voice in DOT decision-making. I am pleased to partner with Senator Ben Ray Lujan on this important legislation. Congratulating Vladimir Kara-Murza on Winning the Pulitzer Prize As the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Political Prisoners, I was delighted to see my friend Vladimir Kara-Murza awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary on Monday. Vladimir continues to write about Putin, his oligarchs, and the war in Ukraine from his prison cell in Russia. I released a congratulatory statement and again demanded his immediate release. Fighting Juvenile Crime in Covington On Thursday evening, I went to the Boys and Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region in Covington to discuss the $100,000 I secured for the Covington Police Department to support a youth crime and violence diversion project in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. I also mentioned the $202,000 I secured for renovating the Boys and Girls Club building. The funding will be used to support a monthly series of crime reducing programs taught by Covington Police officers. This will help build strong relationships with youth and law enforcement, which is critical to empowering safe communities. Meeting with Shelby and Tipton County REALTORS On Tuesday, I met with a group of Tipton and Shelby County real estate agents led by Frances Anderson of Crye-Leike to discuss their priorities. Those include having the VA allow veterans using VA home loans to compensate their agents, housing affordability issues, and the More Homes on the Market Act. I always value my time discussing these kinds of issues with constituents. Announcing $1.2 Million HIV/AIDS Grant I announced Tuesday that the Shelby County Health Department will receive $1,285,200 for its Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program supporting the thousands with HIV in our community. Applauding Namazzi Hampton for winning the Congressional Art Competition This week, I chose Namazzi Hampton’s colored pencil drawing “In the Paint” as this year’s winner of the Congressional Art Competition for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. Ms. Hampton goes to East High School in Memphis. The drawing depicts Ja Morant in his Ja 1 Christmas sneakers. Congratulations, Ms. Hampton. During this National Nurses Week, consider taking the time to thank some registered nurses, the backbone of our health care system. Our nursing workforce is more diverse and more highly educated than ever, but it’s also generally less satisfied with its working conditions. Learn more from a survey of more than 50,000 nurses taken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services here. “I understand people have strong beliefs and deep convictions about the world. In America, we respect and protect the fundamental right to free speech, to debate and disagree, to protest peacefully and make our voices heard. I understand. That’s America. But there is no place on any campus in America — any place in America — for antisemitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind, whether against Jews or anyone else.” – President Biden speaking from Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s annual Days of Remembrance Ceremony I wish every mother a Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |