This Week In Washington

Statement

This Week In Washington

After many conversations with the Administration, I received notice this week from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services that the State of Mississippi has been approved to provide supplemental Medicaid payments to The MED. The recovery of these federal dollars for services the trauma center renders to citizens of our neighboring state will provide much-needed help with The MED's bottom line.

In the letter that I received from Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, she wrote, "I am familiar with the issues currently facing The MED. I also understand its importance as a regional trauma center and charity care provider, and am aware of your efforts to provide support to The MED through legislative action."

I appreciate Secretary Sebelius's willingness to work closely with me on this matter that is so important to the 9th District. The resolution of this issue has been an ongoing effort since the Cohen Amendment was included in the Children's Health Bill in 2007. I'll continue to work toward getting disproportionate share payments for Tennessee to ensure that The MED stays open to serve our citizens. I am working to ensure that Tennessee's concerns are addressed in the final health care reform bill working its way through Congress.

Civil Rights Pilgrimage Recap

Last weekend I joined my friend and colleague Congressman John Lewis on the Selma to Montgomery civil rights pilgrimage to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. On Sunday, March 7, 1965, John Lewis and other civil rights marchers attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, but were disrupted by state and local law enforcement armed with nightsticks and tear gas.

During the pilgrimage, I had the opportunity to visit the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, the Rosa Parks Museum, the First Baptist Church led by Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, the Dexter Avenue Church in Montgomery--the only church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a full-time pastor--and the Southern Poverty Law Center headed by Morris Dees. On Sunday I joined in the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where one of the most significant events in the Civil Rights Movement occurred. To be there in the company of John Lewis, who led that march across that Bridge in 1965, was an experience I'll always cherish. Prior to the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I attended a ceremony at the Brown Chapel AME Church along with attorney Ruby Wharton, Mayor AC Wharton's wife, who attends annually.

On Wednesday, I had the honor of leading the floor debate on the Congressional resolution that honored the anniversary of the Selma March. Majority Leader Hoyer and Congressman Lewis both offered heartfelt reflections in speeches delivered on the House floor.

As I said during my statement in support of this resolution, "This country needs to reflect on what happened 45 years ago, understand that the promise is not fulfilled, pay homage to those individuals who participated and made this country a better country, but know that the dream is not finished, the dream endures. We need to fulfill that destiny, and there are opportunities to do it here on this floor with jobs, with tax policy, and with other issues."

Honoring World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots

On Wednesday, in a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, three Memphis-area women were presented with Congressional Gold Medals. This honor, the highest that can be bestowed by the U.S. Congress, was given to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in recognition of their service during World War II.

Lillian Goodman, Betty Fernandes and Frankie Yearwood were trailblazers who paved the way for women combat pilots. During World War II, Women Airforce Service Pilots flew noncombat military missions so that their male counterparts could be deployed to combat. These women piloted every kind of military aircraft and logged 60 million miles flying missions across the United States and 38 died during duty. The WASP courageously answered their country's call in a time of need, but for decades their service was little more than a footnote in history.

After the ceremony, I had the opportunity to meet with Betty Fernandes in my office to personally thank her for her service.

The Congressional Gold Medal has been presented to Presidents, Prime Ministers, spiritual leaders and Civil Rights activists. It is fitting that this honor should be bestowed on the Women Airforce Service Pilots who served during World War II and who laid the foundation for gender equality in the military.

Promoting Minority Business Development

On Thursday afternoon, I met with David Hinson, the Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), to receive a status report on my ongoing efforts to open a Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC). I was pleased to learn that substantial progress has been made and that the U.S Commerce Department is impressed with the eagerness with which this project has been pursued.

I have written two letters to the MBDA supporting the creation of an MBEC, which would promote growth and expansion of minority-owned firms through business consultation, entrepreneurial technical assistance, providing access to capital and public and private contracting opportunities.

I will continue to work with the MBDA to foster minority entrepreneurs in Memphis who wish to grow their businesses in size, scale and capacity. The United States and Memphis need strong minority owned firms to achieve maximum economic growth.

2010 Census Now Underway

The 2010 Census is now underway, and the results will determine how more than $445 billion in federal funds are distributed to state, local and tribal governments over the next decade.

It is vital that everyone be counted. Our community cannot afford to lose out on crucial federal funds and programs. In the last three years, more than $2 billion in federal funding has been awarded to the 9th District for our schools, libraries, community centers, hospitals, first response teams and senior centers.

This year's form is the shortest in history. Taking the time to answer 10 simple questions will help the 9th District get the federal funding it needs and deserves.

Congressman's Bankruptcy Judges Bill Approved by House

As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law which has jurisdiction over bankruptcy issues, I've closely monitored the increase in the number of personal bankruptcy claims, up 32 percent from 2008. Primarily, this increase is the result of job loss, medical bills and home foreclosures. Shelby County has the highest overall bankruptcy filing rate of any county in the nation, and Tennessee has the second-highest filing rate of any state.

I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives passed the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2010, my legislation to increase the number of federal bankruptcy judges -- including a new judge for the court that hears cases from Memphis -- to handle the growing number of personal and corporate bankruptcies.

$4.8 Million for Runway Improvements at Memphis Airport

Memphis International Airport is vital to the economic health of our community. On Thursday, I announced that the Federal Aviation Administration awarded the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority $4.8 million in federal grant money for runway improvements.

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation, I realize that investments in runways will create good-paying construction jobs in addition to ensuring the safety and functionality of the airport. Keeping the airport safe and modern helps support business and tourism in the 9th District.

Haiti Debt Relief

Two months after the worst natural disaster to hit Haiti in over two centuries, Haiti is still grappling with clean-up and rebuilding efforts. The United States has offered vital humanitarian assistance to our Haitian neighbors. Our leadership on the international stage is now necessary to help alleviate the enormous costs -- estimated at $7 to $13 billion -- to rebuild communities that remain devastated after the earthquake.

Wednesday, the House unanimously passed H.R. 4573, the "Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act." This legislation, which I cosponsored, encourages U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to pursue the cancellation of Haiti's $828 million debt to international lending institutions.

By encouraging the forgiveness of Haiti's debts to global financial institutions, we can speed the recovery and ensure a much brighter future for Haiti.

Perfect Rating by National Catholic Social Justice Organization

I learned this week that I received a perfect rating from NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby for "principled and passionate commitment to just government policies and programs" and for consistently voting on behalf of social and economic justice issues. To view more of my vote ratings from the First Session of the 111th Congress, click here.

Service Academy Day This Saturday, March 13

Each year I have the opportunity to nominate outstanding and deserving high school seniors for an appointment to one of the U.S. Service Academies. These young men and women represent the best and brightest in our Congressional District. After graduation from the Academy, these individuals serve with honor and distinction as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.

On Saturday, I will be hosting a Service Academy and ROTC Information Forum at the Memphis Education Association, 126 Flicker Street, from 10:00 a.m. --12:00 p.m. Admissions representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and representatives of the ROTC Scholarship Program will be present. A representative from my office will discuss the process to receive a Congressional nomination, which is required to attend a U.S. Service Academy.

Please feel free to pass this information along to any high school student whom you believe would be interested in attending.

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