Joining President Obama's Historic Trip to Cuba
Dear Friend,
This week, I joined President Barack Obama on his historic trip to Cuba, voted for a resolution condemning the Brussels terrorist attacks, introduced a bipartisan bill to spur job creation and investment in federally-designated Promise Zones, and spoke as co-chair of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus for our first briefing of the year. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Joining President Obama’s Historic Trip to Cuba
Receiving the Easter Seals Award
Remembering the Victims of the Brussels Terrorist Attacks
Investing in Promise Zones
Celebrating the 6th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Co-Chairing the Biomedical Research Caucus
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
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
Joining President Obama’s Historic Trip to Cuba
President Obama delivering his speech at the Gran Teatro de la Habana in Cuba
This week, I was honored to be a part of the Congressional delegation for President Obama’s historic trip to Cuba. The President delivered a heartfelt speech to the Cuban people that was warmly received. The President clearly stated the differences between our two countries but highlighted the potential to build upon our nations’ common interests. There is undoubtedly a difference in perspective on the power of the State, democracy, openness, debate, and what’s best for society. But there is hope for the future that the United States can develop a productive relationship with Cuba as quickly as possible, replacing 55 years of failed foreign policy. A strong relationship with Cuba will benefit trade between our countries, and I believe that will benefit Memphis entrepreneurs as well as businesses such as AutoZone for Cuba’s aging American cars, FedEx, medical device companies and health-industry professionals. Cuba has some of the world’s best medical minds and practices and has made significant advancements in diabetes, cancer, and HIV research. Memphis’ ties to Cuba were strengthened last month when a 3-year-old Cuban child, Manolito Alejandro, received life-saving heart surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. I was pleased to help facilitate the surgery and delighted to meet young Manolito. Cooperation on medical advancements and procedures, like Manolito’s surgery, will help advance medical diplomacy between Memphis and Cuba.
Congressman Steve Cohen at the Cuban National Team v. Tampa Bay Rays exhibition game at Estadio Latinoamericano in Cuba sporting his autographed Minnie Minoso hat, his New York Yankees Shirt, and his Minnie Minoso #9 and Jackie Robinson #42 pins
When I was 5 years old, I met the “Cuban Comet” Minnie Miñoso and we had a lifelong friendship. I wore my autographed Minnie Miñoso hat while in Cuba and also presented Minnie Miñoso hats to President Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro. The hats were provided to me by Minnie’s son, Charlie. Minnie was the first black Cuban player in the major leagues, a 9-time All-Star and a legend in Cuba, and he will always be the greatest in my mind. I also distributed pins and baseball cards, given to me by the Chicago White Sox, to various officials and others we encountered on the trip. A highlight of the trip was meeting Jackie Robinson’s widow, who was travelling with our delegation. She traded me a #42 Jackie Robinson pin for a #9 Minnie Miñoso pin which was most appropriate as Minnie has often been referred to as the Cuban Jackie Robinson for helping in the fight for racial equality in Cuba which goes on to this day. Many of the older Cubans I met remembered Minnie Miñoso fondly and spoke to me about how Minnie was a hero who tore down the walls of segregation in Cuba. The Miami Herald wrote about my love for Cuba that you can read here.
Congressman Steve Cohen, Congressman Charles Rangel, 9-time All-Star, former manager of the New York Yankees, and MLB's chief baseball officer Joe Torre, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at the MLB Luncheon in Cuba
Also while in Cuba, I attended an MLB luncheon and the Cuban national team’s exhibition game against the Tampa Bay Rays. At the MLB luncheon, I met former New York Yankee great Derek Jeter, owner of the Tampa Bay Rays Stuart Sternberg, Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield, and MLB’s chief baseball officer Joe Torre (pictured above). On the drive to the baseball game, the streets were filled with smiling Cubans waving to us and photographing us as we passed by. The game itself was meaningful and brought back memories of going to games in Memphis with my parents. There was no more fitting tribute I could pay to my friend Minnie Miñoso than to attend a baseball game in Cuba, sporting my autographed hat, in his honor, and I know he was there with me in spirit. Upon my return, I spoke to CNN’s Brooke Baldwin about my experience. You can watch my interview here.
Receiving the Easter Seals Award
Today I got a surprise for Easter, receiving notice that I will be presented the 2016 Easter Seals Outstanding Advocate Award for a Federal Official. The award honors work done in advancing access to transportation for people with disabilities. Last year, my amendment to provide local transit systems, such as Memphis Area Transit Authority’s MATAplus Service, increased flexibility to enhance and improve paratransit services was included in the final federal highway funding bill. It is a great honor to receive this award which will be given out in June.
Remembering the Victims of the Brussels Terrorist Attacks
Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Brussels are an ongoing reminder of the threat posed by ISIS and other extremist organizations that threaten free nations around the world. The international community must do more to share intelligence that will help governments and local law enforcement agencies locate terrorist networks and prevent them from carrying out these heinous crimes. On Wednesday, I joined with my colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing a resolution strongly condemning the attacks. I would also like to send my condolences to the family and friends of the victims and wish those injured a speedy recovery.
On Wednesday, Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), Rep. John Larson (D-CT), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and I introduced the bipartisan Promise Zone Job Creation Act to create new tax credits to incentivize the hiring of residents of federally-designated Promise Zones, helping to reduce concentrated poverty and increase the economic vitality of the designated areas. I will continue working closely with Mayor Strickland to see Memphis included in President Obama’s next round of Promise Zone designations. You can read more about our bill here.
Celebrating the 6th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Wednesday was the 6th anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act into law. I was proud to vote for the Affordable Care Act six years ago and continue to support the law today. I have also now voted against 62 Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and I hope Republicans realize that their continued efforts to dismantle the law will only end up taking critical benefits away from hardworking Memphis families. You can read more about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Tennesseans here.
Co-Chairing the Biomedical Research Caucus
On Wednesday, I introduced Dr. Mark Fishman, President of the Norvartis Institute for Biomedical Research, at the first Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus (CBRC) briefing of the year. The topic of this briefing was creating and researching the effectiveness of new drugs. As co-chair of the caucus, I am committed to increasing medical research funding, such as at the National Institutes of Health, for cures and treatments for awful diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, stroke, cancer and more. You can read more about the CBRC here.
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
Thursday afternoon, staff from my Memphis office was on hand at the Hickory Hill Community Center for my “Congress on your Corner” office hours to help address Memphians’ problems with and questions about Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA and other federal agencies. Stay tuned to these newsletters for information about the next Congress on your Corner event.
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 few weeks 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.
I hope those celebrating have a very pleasant and happy Easter.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress