Traveling to Cuba with President Obama
Dear Friend,
This week, I was invited to accompany the President on his historic trip to Cuba next week, I hosted a telephone town hall for constituents to answer your questions and hear your views about issues affecting the Ninth District, President Obama chose Judge Merrick Garland as his Supreme Court nominee, and I met with constituents visiting Washington. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Traveling to Cuba with President Obama
Hosting a Telephone Town Hall
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
President Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee
Meeting with the Multiple Sclerosis Society
U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar
The IRS Urges Public to Stay Alert for Scam Phone Calls
Ensuring Memphians Get the Tax Refunds They Deserve
Traveling to Cuba with President Obama
On March 20th through 22nd, I will have the privilege of accompanying President Obama and a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators and Representatives on the first Presidential trip to Cuba in 88 years. While in Cuba, the President will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro and also engage with members of civil society, entrepreneurs and Cubans from different walks of life. Last year, I accompanied Secretary of State John Kerry to Cuba for the reopening of the U.S. Embassy there and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the strengthening of the U.S.-Cuba relationship.
Memphis’ ties to Cuba were further strengthened last month when a 3-year-old Cuban child, Manolito Alejandro, received life-saving heart surgery at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. I was pleased to help facilitate the surgery and delighted to meet young Manolito. In this instance, a young Cuban child benefitted from medical care in the U.S., but it is important to note that Cuba has some of the world’s best medical minds and practices and has made significant advancements in diabetes, cancer, and HIV research. I look forward to seeing how diplomatic relations with Cuba will allow for health and technology advances in both countries.
As a 5-year old child stricken with polio, I developed a love for Cuba when Minnie Miñoso played an exhibition baseball game in Memphis. Minnie spotted me at the game, standing with my crutches, and he sent me a baseball via one of his white teammates. At the time, the South was racially segregated, so Minnie did not feel comfortable approaching a white child. This early lesson about civil rights has influenced my entire life and career as a public servant. Minnie had the biggest heart on the baseball field and his kindness toward me began our lifelong friendship and engendered my fondness for Cuba and the Cuban people.
I am so pleased to be included on the President’s visit to Cuba. To honor my friend and hero, I will be wearing my autographed Minnie Miñoso hat (pictured above) at the Cuban national baseball team’s exhibition game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Havana. Minnie’s son Charlie will also be sending additional hats to share with President Obama, President Castro and other Cuban Officials. The Chicago White Sox are sending about 50 #9 pins and about 100 Minnie Miñoso baseball cards to share with Cuban officials and players. There is no more fitting tribute I can pay than to attend a baseball game in Cuba in Minnie’s honor, and I know Minnie will be there with me in spirit.
This week I conducted a telephone town hall from my Washington, D.C. office. During the town hall, we discussed a broad range of issues including the 2016 omnibus federal funding bill, the federal highway funding bill to improve our roads, bridges, and mass transit, and efforts in Congress to reform our criminal justice system, among other constituent concerns. I appreciated having this opportunity to listen to the Ninth District’s perspective on both national and local issues, and found the exchange beneficial to me as well as, I believe, to the more than 7,000 constituents who participated.
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
On Thursday, March 24 from 12:30pm-2:30pm my office will hold “Congress on your Corner” office hours at the Hickory Hill Community Center at 3910 Ridgeway Road. My staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agency.
President Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee
On Wednesday, President Obama announced his nominee for the vacant Supreme Court. President Obama’s choice, Judge Merrick Garland, currently serves as the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Judge Garland is an extremely qualified candidate and well-respected by both Democrats and Republicans. The Senate should fulfill its constitutional duty and hold a fair confirmation hearing and a timely up-or-down vote on Judge Garland, so the Supreme Court can return to its full capacity.
Meeting with the Multiple Sclerosis Society
Also on Wednesday, I met with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) to discuss support for MS research funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), and through the National Institute of Health (NIH).During the meeting I had the chance to meet with my constituent Lia Roemer, NMSS District Activist. As Co-Chair of the Biomedical Research Caucus, I will continue to support these funding measures to help fight Multiple Sclerosis.
U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar
The United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school. Summer Seminar teaches students about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders. Students who are interested in pursuing an appointment to one of our nation's service academies and serving as an officer, are encouraged to apply for the Naval Academy's Summer Seminar at https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/index.php. The Naval Academy Summer Seminar online application closes 11:59 p.m. (EST) on March 31. The Summer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) online application closes 11:59 p.m. (EST) on April 15.
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 believe you have been contacted by a scammer.
Ensuring Memphians Get the Tax Refunds They Deserve
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.
April 15th – the deadline to file your 2015 federal tax return – is only a month away. As you prepare 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.
Memphians shouldn’t pay more than they owe, and they should receive every penny they deserve in refunds. In 2014, I helped open one of 15 new Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites that operate throughout Shelby County. The VITA sites are available to provide tax return guidance and advice free of charge to ensure that Memphians take full advantage of programs like the EITC and get the tax refund to which they are entitled. More information including a list of all VITA locations and their hours is available at the Shelby County Trustee’s website, and I encourage you to find one near you to help ensure you get every penny you are owed.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congres