Big River Crossing Opens Tomorrow
Dear Friend, This week, I spoke out against the minimal 0.3% COLA announced for Social Security recipients in 2017, praised the International Association of Chiefs of Police for issuing a formal apology for the role that their profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color, and received the highest scores in the Tennessee Congressional Delegation on the National Food Policy Legislative Scorecard and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Legislative Scorecard. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen. Big River Crossing Opens Tomorrow Big River Crossing Opens Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the grand opening of the Big River Crossing pedestrian/bike path across the Harahan Bridge. In 2012, I was proud to work with then-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to secure nearly $15 million in federal funding through the TIGER grant program to help fund this project. I encourage everyone to head to Downtown Memphis to take advantage of one of the region’s most ambitious and impressive bicycle and pedestrian pathways. For more information, visit: https://www.bigrivercrossing.com/ Fighting for a Fair Cost-of-Living Adjustment On Tuesday, the Social Security Administration announced that there would be just a 0.3% increase in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2017. I am concerned that this minimal COLA increase will place an undue burden on America’s senior citizens, disabled veterans, Supplemental Security Income recipients, and their families. Read more about how I believe we should change the formula to better reflect senior citizen’s spending habits here. Rebuilding Trust Between Police and the Communities They Serve On Wednesday, the International Association of Chiefs of Police issued a formal apology for the role that their profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color. I praise the chiefs for issuing this apology and for their leadership in recognizing this problem that clearly exists. Admitting a wrongdoing is the first step on a path toward reform and redress. I was featured in a Fortune Magazine article on this topic which you can read here. Early Voting Has Begun in Tennessee
Wednesday was the first day of early voting in Tennessee. I voted on Thursday, and I encourage everyone to vote as well. Early voting runs from today through Thursday, November 3 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. You can find a list of early voting locations in Memphis and Shelby County here. Reducing Hunger and Promoting Healthy Eating Habits
On Monday, I was proud to receive the only perfect score in the Tennessee Congressional Delegation from Food Policy Action on their 114th Congress National Food Policy Scorecard. Read more here. Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program The United States Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants to increase purchases of healthy fruits and vegetables by low-income families participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The federal funding will be awarded to eligible nonprofits and governmental organizations that demonstrate a successful track record of nutrition programs and develop innovative systems that can be replicated by other underserved communities. For more information on this grant program, click here. Each week, I will be suggesting a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9th Congressional District. As always, it’s best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, a healthy eating plan should include a diet that is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. Learn more here. 2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available My office currently has a limited number of 2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter. Go Tigers! As always, I remain. |
