March 28, 2024

Dear Friend,

This week, back in Memphis, I hosted a press conference with Mayor Paul Young and Interim Police Chief C.J. Davis to highlight the $1.9 million I secured through the federal appropriations process for technological crime-fighting resources for the Memphis Police Department. I also visited students at Whitehaven High School, proclaimed Elvis’ central role in music history, toured the recently renamed Friends for All in the Evergreen neighborhood, released a statement on the Boeing management shakeup and the commitment of federal regulators to air travel safety, met with aviation educators, wrote to urge a commitment to cerebral palsy research, reintroduced legislation commemorating the historic Sultana disaster, announced another substantial commitment to rebuilding public schools in Tipton County, and offered a somewhat holiday-specific health tip on food safety. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.

Investing in Memphis Police Department Crime-Fighting Efforts

Encouraging Whitehaven High School Students Studying Finance

Proclaiming Elvis’ Role in the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll

Visiting Friends for All Testing Center in the Evergreen Neighborhood

Applauding Boeing Management Shakeup and Prioritizing Safety in Air Travel

Encouraging Development of the Aviation Workforce

Urging Dedicated Federal Support for Cerebral Palsy Research

Joining Arkansas Lawmakers in Commemorating Historic Sultana Disaster

Announcing FEMA Investment to Rebuild Crestview Elementary School in Covington

Weekly Health Tip

Quote of the Week

Investing in Memphis Police Department Crime-Fighting Efforts

On Tuesday, I hosted a press conference with Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis to celebrate securing $1.9 million in this year’s federal appropriations process for crime-fighting technological assistance for the Memphis Police Department. The funding supports the kind of streetlight cameras that preserved the evidence in the beating of Tyre Nichols, cameras that can identify and help catch car thieves, and equipment that protects officers. Both Mayor Young and Interim Chief Davis expressed their appreciation for the cooperation I have encouraged with the U.S. Department of Justice, which continues to work with local law enforcement to address our troubling street crime. This investment will make a real difference.

Encouraging Whitehaven High School Students Studying Finance

Also Tuesday, I visited with 15 Whitehaven High School students participating in the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Capitol Hill Challenge. Whitehaven is one of my favorite high schools and its Principal, Vincent Hunter Sr., has been such an outstanding administrator and has put academic achievement right up there with the school’s renowned athletic successes. And speaking of athletics, Coach Rodney Saulsberry was there and I was pleased to see him. These SIFMA Challenge students are learning the intricacies of finance and investing by competing with other high school students around the country. Is there a budding Robert Church at Whitehaven?

Proclaiming Elvis’ Role in the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll

Congressman Cohen impersonating Elvis in 1957

Later this evening, I will join my friend Priscilla Presley in recognizing Elvis’ role – and Memphis’ central historic place – in Rock ’n’ Roll history when we dedicate the new Rock ’n’ Soul Museum in the old Lansky Building on Beale. All year, we are commemorating the July 1954 recording of  “That’s Alright, Mama,” 70 years ago at Sam Phillips’s studio on Union. That event changed the whole world.

Visiting Friends for All Testing Center in the Evergreen Neighborhood

Congressman Cohen and Friends for All President Diane Duke

I was pleased to tour the Friends for All center this week with President and CEO Diane Duke and her team and to witness the life-saving humanitarian work they are doing for those with HIV and AIDS, and for the gay, lesbian and transgendered in our community who are often shunned by society. They need a helping hand and outreach and a place of acceptance and Friends for All is providing it.

Applauding Boeing Management Shakeup and Prioritizing Safety in Air Travel

Boeing responded to serious safety lapses with a shakeup in senior management Monday, which I applauded. I also took the opportunity to commend Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for maintaining their highest priority on the safety of air travel and for holding airlines and airplane manufacturers accountable. See my statement here.

Encouraging Development of the Aviation Workforce

Professor Coryat, Congressman Cohen and Captain Glenn

On Wednesday, I met with Professor Kimberly Coryat from the University of Memphis and Captain Albert Glenn from the Luke Weathers Flight Academy and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. We discussed the opportunities available for students interested in a career in aviation, with an emphasis on pilot training programs. The aviation program at the University of Memphis includes flight training at Millington Airport with CTI Professional Flight Training, while the Luke Weathers Flight Academy specifically focuses on training aspiring commercial pilots. It was a productive meeting.

Urging Dedicated Federal Support for Cerebral Palsy Research

Monday was National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, and I was pleased to see that The Hill, an influential Washington newspaper, published my op-ed that day urging a dedicated federal medical research funding source for studying the cause, treatment and best practices for the more than one million people affected by cerebral palsy. See my article in The Hill here.

Joining Arkansas Lawmakers in Commemorating Historic Sultana Disaster

Congressman Cohen and retired Arkansas Circuit Judge John Fogleman at the museum in October 2022

Weeks after the Civil War ended, the steamship Sultana, overloaded with former Union soldier prisoners of war, exploded and sank in the Mississippi River just north of Memphis. Recognition of the event, the worst maritime disaster in our nation’s history, is showcased at the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, Arkansas, which I visited in 2022. I joined Congressman Rick Crawford, who represents Marion, and Arkansas Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, in reintroducing a bill to mint commemorative coins to support the nascent museum and its programs. See our release here.

Announcing FEMA Investment to Rebuild Crestview Elementary School in Covington

On Tuesday, I announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will invest $11.2 million to rebuild Crestview Elementary School in Covington, which was destroyed in last year’s storms and tornadoes. See my release here. In January, I announced that FEMA will invest $17.3 million in rebuilding Crestview Middle School. I am pleased to see these treasured fixtures of the Tipton County educational community being restored.

Weekly Health Tip

Many who celebrate Easter on Sunday will also engage in the tradition of coloring eggs for the occasion. The Food and Drug Administration has useful guidance for handling raw eggs, which can be the source of bacterial pathogens. See that guidance here. One more tip: Don’t eat too many sugary treats!

Quote of the Week

“I’ve directed my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible.” -- President Biden at a press conference on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Tuesday.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress