Buoyed by its recent success in lowering crime and snaring competitive national grants to improve education, Memphis has the potential to thrive in coming years, Sen. Lamar Alexander told a city audience today.

After being joined by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and District Attorney Bill Gibbons at a morning briefing on the progress of the city's Operation Safe Community initiative, Alexander (R-Tenn.) declared himself "very encouraged about the future of this city and this county." From January through March of this year, overall crime was down more than 32 percent in Memphis – including a 33.4 percent drop in violent crime and a 32.1 percent drop in property crime – compared to the same time period in 2006, according to statistics.

In brief remarks, Alexander situated Memphis at a pivotal period similar to that of New York City in the 1980s. "That was the feeling I had this morning," he said after reviewing crime data. Recalling how New York transformed its tarnished image into a national model of civic rejuvenation, Alexander said: "If New York can do that, Memphis can do that.

Alexander's remarks came as he inaugurated a new lunchtime "conversation" series hosted by the Greater Memphis Chamber and its president and CEO, John W. Moore. The event was held at the East Memphis home of Opera Memphis, and Alexander was introduced by FedEx Chairman and CEO Fred Smith. Both men received standing ovations from the crowd.

While crime reduction topped Alexander's comments, he said the progress tied well in relation to the city's recent success in landing the multimillion-dollar Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation leadership development initiative, which aims to improve public schools by focusing on teacher performance. Winning the highly competitive grant is a "tremendous compliment" to the city, Alexander said. He suggested better training for superintendents and his support of charter schools as ways to increase success. Alexander also noted Tennessee will receive $500 million after becoming one of only two states selected by the Administration to receive money to overhaul its education system via its Race to the Top competition.

In other remarks and in fielding written audience questions, Alexander also touched on: 

health care. He explained his opposition to the recently passed health care bill, calling it a "3,000 page bill full of surprises" and criticizing its method of attempting to improve access. 

decorum. He decried "incivility" pervasive in the national political debate and said those stooping to it were diluting their own causes. "You don't advance your case when you don't argue with civility,"; Alexander said. "Usually, the incivility undermines the case of the person that's acting that way." 

the environment. Alexander said he agrees with "a number of people who think climate change is a great problem," but said he did not feel a so-called carbon tax presents the best solution. He stated support for building many new nuclear power plants as part of a wide-ranging approach.

Alexander, a lifelong pianist and occasional guest performer with the Memphis Symphony, also joked he may not want to wear out his welcome with the orchestra. "I've done it there times, which is probably enough," he said.