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Congressman Cohen Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Tennessee Lottery

January 20, 2009


In these troubled economic times, the value of the Tennessee Education Lottery becomes even more clear. I spent nearly two decades during my time in the Tennessee Senate working to ensure that every Tennessean with the ability and the drive has the opportunity to pursue a higher education; and today, there are thousands of students who have realized their dream thanks to scholarships paid for by the lottery. Although revenues are expected to decrease with the broadening recession, the lottery has already generated more than $1.2 billion for education. Now at a time when there is more stress on state governments and state budgets, I am comforted knowing that our state’s hard-working students won’t be left behind because the economy slows down. I am also proud that these funds have gone assisted in school construction, Pre-K education and scholarships to technical schools.

When I mentioned my work on the lottery last night at the Tennessee State Society Inaugural Ball celebrating the election of Barack Obama as our 44th President last night, there were loud cheers throughout the crowd that almost certainly included a few beneficiaries of lottery scholarships. I was proud for the affirmation by my fellow Tennesseans, and as Janus looks forward, I encourage state lawmakers to ensure that the original intent of the law stays intact: to provide higher education assistance for deserving students in need.

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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265

Issues:Education