Dear Friend,
This week, I shared with my constituents the latest and best guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has reached Memphis. I also voted for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to meet our national needs as the pandemic spreads; announced that, due to the coronavirus, my staff and I would begin teleworking on March 16th and temporarily close my D.C. and District offices; moderated a panel discussion on compensation for student athletes hosted by the Congressional Collegiate Sports Caucus that I founded; applauded the advance of the Rosenwald Schools bill to the House floor; announced a significant Department of Transportation grant to the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA); expressed concern about the inaccuracy of some facial recognition technologies; introduced a bill to help homeowners remove lead from their homes; and offered a health tip on differentiating between symptoms of coronavirus, the flu and allergies. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see more updates as they happen Offering Best Guidance for Dealing with the Coronavirus Outbreak
Passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Temporarily Closing my D.C. and District Offices
Moderating Congressional Collegiate Sports Briefing on Compensation for Student Athletes
Applauding the Advance of the Rosenwald Schools Study Act
Announcing a Significant MATA Grant
Expressing Concern over Inaccuracy of Facial Recognition Technology
Introducing the Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act
Getting Prepared for New Real ID Tennessee Driver Licenses
Applying for Good, Temporary U.S. Census Jobs
Staying in Touch with My Office
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Offering Best Guidance for dealing with the Coronavirus Outbreak On Tuesday, as Memphis confirmed its first coronavirus case and the number of cases nationwide reached 1,000, I sent out an e-mail blast to constituents offering the latest and best guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That advice includes regular hand washing, staying home when you're sick and avoiding large crowds. See the text of my email message here and visit Coronavirus.gov to get the most up to date information. Passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Early this morning, I voted for and the House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This measure provides paid leave, establishes free testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, and increases funding for Medicaid programs across the country. This legislation provides essential support to ensure that all Americans can take the necessary precautionary steps to combat this disease and provides economic support to working Americans.
Temporarily Closing my D.C. and District Offices
On Friday, I announced that I would be temporarily closing my Washington, D.C. and District offices and begin teleworking. I regret that this crisis requires such drastic action but, out of an abundance of caution, it seems the prudent course. Limiting exposure will help ensure my staff and I remain healthy and able to serve the people of the Ninth Congressional District. My staff will continue to be available by phone and email. Constituents should continue to call my office with their concerns and email my office via the "Contact" page on my website, www.Cohen.House.Gov. The website will also be updated regularly with information regarding this crisis, including legislative action Congress is taking to address the pandemic and its effects on our country. Moderating Congressional Collegiate Sports Briefing on Compensation for Student Athletes 
Collegiate Sports Caucus panelists, left to right, Dr. Tomika Ferguson, Congressman Mark Walker, Dr. Robert Turner II, Congressman Cohen and Maurice Clarett. On Wednesday, as co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Collegiate Sports Caucus, I moderated a panel discussion with sports experts on compensation for the name, image and likeness of student athletes. We also discussed the NCAA's recent decisions regarding eligibility, the importance of protecting student athletes from abuse and serious injury and other issues in NCAA sports that warrant Congressional attention. I raised the case of James Wiseman, the star basketball player at the University of Memphis, and how both he and the university were unfairly treated by the NCAA over Wiseman's alleged infractions. See my release on the successful briefing here.
Applauding the Advance of the Rosenwald Schools Study Act
Also on Wednesday, I applauded the advance of the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Study Act to the House floor. The bill aims to establish a national historic park to honor the life and legacy of philanthropist Julius Rosenwald whose charitable giving created more than 5,300 schools in the South to address the lack of decent public schools for African Americans. See my release on the development here.
Announcing a Significant MATA Grant 
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recognized the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) for its effectiveness and efficiency with an Integrated Mobility Innovation grant on Wednesday. See my release on the funding here.
Expressing Concern over Inaccuracy of Facial Recognition Technology
As a member of the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology, I questioned the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology on his agency's review of facial recognition technologies. See my release on the exchange here.
Introducing the Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act
On Thursday, I introduced the Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act with Representative David McKinley to address the problem of lead poisoning in children. The safest place for a child should be his or her own home, but many homes built before 1978, including more than 200,000 in Memphis, have lead paint and other potential hazards. Children deserve to grow up free from the permanent harm exposure to lead can cause. This legislation would create a tax credit to provide homeowners the resources they need to address hazards within their homes. Getting Prepared for New Real ID Tennessee Driver Licenses On October 1, those who don't have a valid passport and want to take a commercial flight or enter military bases and certain other secure federal facilities will need a Real ID from the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles. The Real ID requires proof of residential address and of a valid Social Security Number. See the types of documents you will need here. See a list of Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles locations here. I am already hearing about lines at local DMV offices so I suggest a visit sooner rather than later. Applying for Good, Temporary U.S. Census Jobs 
Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts the number of people living in the United States for the purpose of reapportioning the U.S. House of Representatives' 435 seats among the 50 states. That requires a huge temporary workforce. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are now available for Census field supervisors, Census takers, clerks and other positions. In Shelby County, the pay ranges between $20 and $22 per hour with reimbursement for mileage and expenses. To qualify, you must be at least 18, have a valid Social Security number, a valid email address and pass a criminal background check. To apply, go here.
Staying in Touch with My Office
I enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my "Congress on Your Corner" events, you can sign up here to receive a notification as soon as the next event is scheduled. You read in this space last week that I had scheduled a "Congress On Your Corner" for today at the Whitehaven Branch Library. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that meeting had to be canceled.
For those who haven't participated in a telephone town hall, it's easy to sign up for them by using this form.
If you would like to receive this weekly e-Newsletter, or share it with others, you can do that with this form.
Weekly Health Tip 
For the latest on the coronavirus, go to Coronavirus.gov
Quote of the Week 
"I've gone through a number of these crises with her as the leader and she is unflappable. The last thing we need is some kind of a hot-headed leader trying to figure out what we can do to hurt the other side. She don't play that game." -- Representative Emanuel Cleaver, Democrat of Missouri, speaking of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
As always, I remain
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
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