Congratulating Community Project Funding Recipients
May 6, 2022 |
Dear Friend, This week, I held a press conference with representatives of the 10 community projects for which I secured $11.7 million in funding – the most money ever to come to the 9th Congressional District through the appropriations process. I also condemned Russian war crimes in Ukraine at a Helsinki Commission hearing; announced a multimillion dollar grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Memphis Health Center; celebrated National Teachers Day with the teachers of Chickasaw Middle School; received the United Cerebral Palsy 2022 Legislative Award; introduced a bill intended to restore some reality to salaries for Tennessee Valley Authority employees; and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens. Congratulating Community Project Funding Recipients Condemning Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Announcing Multimillion Dollar Grants to St. Jude and Memphis Health Center Celebrating National Teachers Day at Chickasaw Middle School Receiving United Cerebral Palsy Legislative Award Celebrating the Investiture of LeMoyne-Owen College President Vernell Bennett-Fairs Introducing Bill to Rein in Excessive TVA Salaries Congratulating Community Project Funding Recipients
On Thursday, I held a press conference with representatives of the 10 community projects for which I secured $11.7 million in funding to celebrate at my office. Each recipient had a story to tell, and I am proud to support their efforts. The funding and recipients are:
Condemning Russian War Crimes in Ukraine
The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, on which I serve as Co-Chairman, held a hearing Wednesday on Russian war crimes in Ukraine. I described what's going on as reprehensible, repugnant and reptilian. See my release on the hearing, including my exchange with expert witnesses, here. Announcing Multimillion Dollar Grants to St. Jude and Memphis Health Center On Wednesday, I announced a $4,163,954 grant to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from the National Cancer Institute to conduct a childhood cancer survivorship study. On Thursday, I announced a $5,039,393 grant to the Memphis Health Center. See my releases here and here. Celebrating National Teachers Day at Chickasaw Middle School
Congressman Cohen delivers a proclamation with Principal Dr. T. Celeste Turner. In honor of National Teachers Week, I visited the teachers at Chickasaw Middle School and delivered a proclamation in praise of the work of these fine educators. I am thankful to the numerous dedicated professionals we have in our community to teach and inspire our children. Receiving United Cerebral Palsy Legislative Award
On Wednesday, I received United Cerebral Palsy's 2022 Legislative Award for my efforts to increase funding for medical research on a disability that affects approximately one million Americans and their families. United Cerebral Palsy works and advocates not just for the needs of individuals and families affected by cerebral palsy but for the needs of all people with disabilities. Celebrating the Investiture of LeMoyne-Owen College President Vernell Bennett-Fairs On Thursday, I was pleased to attend the investiture of LeMoyne-Owen College's 13th President, Vernell A. Bennett-Fairs, Ed.D. For the last 150 years, LeMoyne-Owen has been a crown jewel of Memphis and made a difference in the community. The future is bright with Dr. Bennett-Fairs at the helm. Introducing Bill to Rein in Excessive TVA Salaries Earlier today, I introduced a bill requiring the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to compare its CEO and employees' salaries with the salaries of employees of both U.S. and Canadian public utilities. Right now, only American salaries are reviewed. My hope is that the comparisons will restore some reality to a compensation package that provides TVA CEO Jeff Lyash with $9.9 million a year. See my release here. First, it was just known as the COVID-19 virus, then there was the Alpha variant, then Delta, then Omicron, then BA.2. Now we have BA.2.12.1, a more contagious subvariant first detected in April that now accounts for about 36 percent of all new cases. I continue to suggest that those eligible for boosters get them and recommend wearing face masks while indoors among strangers. "American democracy is not a reality show. It's not a reality show. It's reality itself. And the reality is that we are a great country. Our future is bright. It's not guaranteed, because democracy is never guaranteed. It has to be earned. It has to be defended. It has to be protected." – President Biden at Saturday night's White House Correspondents Association dinner. Go Grizzlies! As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
