Remembering the Memphis Massacre
Dear Friend,
This week, I marked the 150th Anniversary of the Memphis Massacre, commended the President for commuting the prison sentences of 58 non-violent, low-level drug offenders, helped Memphis’s small businesses get free websites to reach online markets, helped secure funding for Head Start education programs, spoke to the Advanced Placement U.S. Government class at White Station High School, honored Memphis’s fallen correctional workers, and hosted a young professionals roundtable. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Remembering the Memphis Massacre
Commending Presidential Commutations for Low-Level Drug Offenders
Putting Memphis Small Businesses on the Map
Securing Funding for Early Childhood Education
Speaking to the A.P. U.S. Government Class at White Station High School
Honoring Our Fallen Correctional Workers
Hosting a Young Professionals Roundtable
Bringing Congress to your Corner
Remembering the Memphis Massacre
This week marked the 150th Anniversary of one of the most significant historical events of the Reconstruction-era, the Memphis Massacre. Phyllis Aluko, one of the NAACP Memphis Chapter's board members, started the process of creating the first ever historical marker for the Memphis Massacre and fought for the language used on the sign (pictured above). You can read more about the Memphis Massacre and the historical marker here.
Commending Presidential Commutations for Low-Level Drug Offenders
Yesterday, President Obama announced that he commuted the sentences of 58 non-violent drug offenders incarcerated in federal prisons, including one Memphian. This is a significant step by President Obama toward a more rational and fair justice system for Americans, but there still remain thousands of Americans languishing in prisons serving sentences that have been repudiated by both Congress and the President. I hope the President continues and accelerates his efforts to commute unjust sentences during his remaining time in office. Read more here.
Putting Memphis Small Businesses on the Map
On Thursday, I spoke at Google’s Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map program in Memphis for Small Business Week. This program helps small businesses get a free website as well as free tools, training and resources to help their business succeed online. Memphis is home to many well-qualified, high-potential small-business owners, including minority entrepreneurs, who are the heart of the Memphis economy. It is important they have the resources they need to grow their business and expand into new markets online. You can read more about Google’s event in Memphis here.
Securing Funding for Early Childhood Education
On Monday, the Shelby County Board of Education was awarded a more than $11 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support Head Start projects for early childhood education. Read more here.
Speaking to the A.P. U.S. Government Class at White Station High School
On Thursday, I spoke to Mr. Rakestraw’s Advance Placement (A.P.) U.S. Government class at White Station High School about the daily life of a Congressman, my story on becoming involved in politics, and my legislative priorities as I continue my career in Congress. I would like to thank Mr. Rakestraw for inviting me to speak to his class.
Honoring Our Fallen Correctional Workers
Today I attended the Correctional Workers’ Week Memorial Ceremony at FCI Memphis to honor the approximately 21 correctional workers who have fallen in the line of duty in the last 50 years. Correctional workers have a tough job keeping inmates and other prison workers safe and their work goes largely unnoticed. Pictured with me above from left to right: Associate Warden Neil Robinson, Warden Myron L. Batts, and Associate Warden Melvin Barbee.
Hosting a Young Professionals Roundtable
Today I hosted a Young Professionals Roundtable at my Memphis Office where I discussed the job of a Congressman and gave advice for young people interested in public service. We also discussed other legislative priorities for the Ninth District. It is always encouraging to see so many young people invested in making Memphis a better community, and I look forward to continue hosting these Young Professionals Roundtables. Pictured with me from left to right: Eso Tolson (Choose 901), Edward Bogard (SoGiv), Yolanda Gates (Artist), and Miles Tamboli (Girls Inc. of Memphis).
Bringing Congress to your Corner
On Friday, May 13, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, my office will hold “Congress on your Corner” office hours at the Orange Mound Community Center at 2572 Park Ave. If you have questions or problems with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agencies, my staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance. We hope you can make it.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress