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Honoring Baseball Legend and Civil Rights Icon Jackie Robinson

April 15, 2016
Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This week, I honored baseball legend and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson on the House floor for Jackie Robinson Day, congratulated Coach Tubby Smith for being named the University of Memphis’s new head men’s basketball coach, received the Humane Award from the Humane Society for my legislative work on animal rights, stood up for a woman's right to choose during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Liberties hearing, sent a letter with Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Peter DeFazio to TVA CEO and President Bill Johnson seeking answers about the proposed Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) pension cuts, and met with representatives from the Recording Academy to discuss issues important to the music industry. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.

Honoring Baseball Legend and Civil Rights Icon Jackie Robinson
Congratulating New Memphis Tigers Coach Tubby Smith
Receiving the Humane Champion Award
Fighting for a Woman’s Right to Choose
Seeking Answers about the TVA Pension Cuts
Meeting with Representatives from the Recording Academy
The IRS Urges Public to Stay Alert for Scam Phone Calls
Ensuring Memphians Get the Tax Refunds They Deserve

Honoring Baseball Legend and Civil Rights Icon Jackie Robinson

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Today is Jackie Robinson Day, celebrated on April 15 to commemorate the day Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut with the then-Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. This morning, I took to the House floor to honor Jackie Robinson and the contributions he made to baseball and civil rights in America. I was fortunate to travel to Cuba with President Obama and met Jackie Robinson’s widow Rachel and his daughter Sharon who gave me a number 42 button, pictured above, designating April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day. You can watch my remarks on the House floor here.

Congratulating New Memphis Tigers Coach Tubby Smith

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I would like to congratulate Coach Tubby Smith on being named the new Memphis Tigers men's basketball coach and welcome him to the Ninth District and Memphis. Coach Smith’s role is significant and important in Memphis, and I would like to thank University of Memphis President Dr. David Rudd, Athletic Director Tom Bowen and the University’s search committee for making a “wow” hire. Coach Smith has many fine attributes that will benefit the Tigers as well as the entire Memphis community. He is experienced, well liked, mature, has been successful in all of his previous coaching jobs, has been honored numerous times for his accomplishments, is in his mid-60s, graying and thinning a bit on the top. Sounds perfect to me! I look forward to many successful seasons with Coach Smith. Go Tigers!

Receiving the Humane Champion Award

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On Tuesday, I was proud to receive the 2015 Humane Champion Award from the Humane Society and Humane Society Legislative Fund for my commitment to animal rights and animal welfare. I have long advocated for humane treatment of all animals and remain committed to fighting for animals in need.

Fighting for a Woman’s Right to Choose

On Thursday, I stood up for a woman’s right to choose during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Liberties hearing on the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2016. Congress should be addressing a variety of other issues such as voting rights, job creation, equal pay, education and healthcare, rather than attacking women’s health. You can watch my remarks during the subcommittee hearing here.

Seeking Answers to the TVA Pension Cuts

Tuesday, I joined Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in sending a letter to Tennessee Valley Authority President and CEO Bill Johnson seeking answers about the proposed TVA pension cuts that could have a major impact on TVA workers and retirees. You can read our letter here.

Meeting with Representatives from the Recording Academy

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On Thursday, I met with representatives from the Recording Academy to discuss issues important to the music community, including music licensing reform and copyright. Pictured to my left is: Susan Marshall, Kim Lloyd, Caitlyn Lloyd, Jeff Powell, and Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell and pictured to my right: Kameron Whalum, Jon Hornyak, Trina Shoemaker, and Ken Shepherd.

The IRS Urges Public to Stay Alert for Scam Phone Calls

The IRS continues to warn consumers to guard against scam phone calls from thieves intent on stealing their money or their identity. Criminals pose as the IRS to trick victims out of their money or personal information. Click here for several tips to help you avoid being a victim of these scams and what to do if you believe have been contacted by a scammer.

Ensuring Memphians Get the Tax Refunds They Deserve

Monday, April 18 is the deadline to file your 2015 federal tax return. As you finish your return, I hope you won’t overlook the EITC if you are eligible for it. It is an important credit that can give families a financial boost. Sadly, eligible taxpayers in Memphis and Shelby County have not taken full advantage of the program. I want to encourage everyone who is eligible to consider claiming it when filing their taxes.

In December, I voted to permanently extend the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is indexed for future increases, for low and middle income individuals and families. This provision ultimately became law

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
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Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Issues:9th DistrictAnimal WelfareCivil RightsWomen's IssuesEnergyEnvironmentHealth CareJudiciaryMemphisMillingtonShelby CountyTennessee