Remembering Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith, Sr.
Dear Friend,
This week, I remembered fallen Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith on the House floor, introduced bipartisan legislation to give health care professionals the tools they need to identify and treat human trafficking victims, met with Acting Administrator of the FTA along with representatives from MATA and the Greater Memphis Chamber to discuss transportation priorities for Memphis, and paid tribute to my hero and icon Muhammad Ali. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Remembering Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith, Sr.
Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Human Trafficking
Meeting with Acting Administrator of the FTA Carolyn Flowers
Fighting for Memphis
Commemorating the 72nd Anniversary of D-Day
Paying Tribute to Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali
Meeting with Memphis Boy Scouts
Bringing Congress to your Corner
Remembering Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith, Sr.
I was saddened to learn of the death of Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith, Sr. who was tragically killed in the line of duty last weekend. This tragedy shows once again that law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. Our gratitude to Officer Smith and his family is profound. I spoke on the House floor to honor Officer Smith on Thursday. You can watch my remarks here.
Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Human Trafficking
On Wednesday, I introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure health care professionals are trained to identify victims of human trafficking and provide them with the critical, victim-centered health care they need. Our bill also enables health care providers to implement protocols and procedures to work with victims, service organizations, and law enforcement so that victims can get proper support and perpetrators of human trafficking are brought to justice. Read more about our bill here.
Meeting with Acting Administrator of the FTA Carolyn Flowers
On Tuesday, I met with Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) Carolyn Flowers along with representatives from Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) and the Greater Members Chamber to discuss Memphis’s application for a federal TIGER Grant for a better Midtown-Downtown transit route, how to get more buses for Memphis, and an update on the downtown trolleys. Pictured from left to right: MATA Commissioner Andre Gibson, me, Acting Administrator of the FTA Carolyn Flowers, MATA COO Alvin Pearson, President and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber Phil Trenary, and MATA CEO Ron Garrison.
On Monday, I announced that Memphis was a finalist for President Obama’s Promise Zone program but was not designated a Promise Zone by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While I am disappointed that Memphis was not designated a Promise Zone, finishing as a finalist means that Memphis will have the opportunity to participate in the Community Needs Assessment (CNA) Initiative to receive technical assistance for future federal grant opportunities. You can read more about the CAN Initiative here.
Commemorating the 72nd Anniversary of D-Day
Monday was the 72nd anniversary of D-Day, when 73,000 American heroes from the Greatest Generation charged onto the beaches of Normandy and helped secure a foothold that allowed the Allies to defeat the Nazis and win World War II. I hope everyone took a moment to remember the sacrifice of those who lost their lives as well as those who made it past the barrage of Nazi bullets alive and kept fighting to end Hitler’s quest for European dominance.
Paying Tribute to Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali
On Wednesday, I spoke on the House Floor to remember one of my heroes and icons, Muhammad Ali. You can watch my tribute to “The Greatest” here.
Meeting with Memphis Boy Scouts
On Thursday, I met with Boy Scout Troop 57 and Cub Scout Pack 157 of the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America led by Scoutmaster/Cubmaster Carlton Osborne of Memphis. It was a pleasure meeting the boy scouts, cub scouts and their families.
Bringing Congress to your Corner
Over the summer, my office will hold three “Congress on your Corner” events. Please mark these dates on your calendar. 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.
- Friday, June 17 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Millington Public Library (4858 Navy Rd)
- Friday, July 15 from 12pm-2pm at the Ed Rice Community Center (2907 N. Watkins St)
- Friday, August 12 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Whitehaven Branch Library (4120 Millbranch Rd)
Please visit my website at https://cohen.house.gov for more information on Congress on your Corner.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress