August 23, 2024

Dear Friend,

This week, I have been at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a member of the Tennessee delegation. While in the Windy City, I announced a $21.1 million U.S. Navy contract to the University of Memphis to develop a drone testing facility on President’s Island, warned my constituents about the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint for a future presidential administration, expressed hope that we are nearing a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza war, remembered Phil Donahue and his support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, planned an event showcasing a $500,000 appropriation for a local Memphis reentry program, and offered a health tip about the new Covid vaccines soon to be widely available. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.

Announcing $21.1 Million U.S. Navy Drone Testing Contract for the University of Memphis

Making the Case Against Project 2025

Expressing Hope for a Ceasefire and Hostage Release in the Gaza War

Remembering Phil Donahue

Announcing a Lung Research Grant to UTHSC

Holding a Press Event on Securing Funding for Lifeline to Success Reentry Program

Weekly Health Tip

Quotes of the Week

Announcing $21.1 Million U.S. Navy Drone Testing Contract for the University of Memphis

On Monday, I announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded a $21,184,191, four-year contract to the University of Memphis to develop an Unmanned Systems Degraded Environment Facility for testing drones in complex and controllable airflow patterns. As the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Aviation, I have long supported the University of Memphis’ embrace of the unmanned aerial technologies of the future. This Navy contract will demonstrate the University’s critical role in developing and testing these technologies while helping create the cutting-edge aviation workforce of the 21st century. I congratulate the University on this prestigious contract award. See a story by Jane Roberts of The Daily Memphian detailing what the facility on President’s Island will do here.   

Making the Case Against Project 2025

This week, I sent information to constituents about Project 2025, a 920-page blueprint written by conservatives and former Trump administration officials and published by the Heritage Foundation with dangerous and wrong-headed notions for a future right-leaning presidential administration. See that message to constituents here.

Expressing Hope for a Ceasefire and Hostage Release in the Gaza War

I am closely monitoring talks between the negotiators seeking a ceasefire and hostage exchange in the war in Gaza and was hopeful as Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled progress this week. It is well past time to end this conflict, return hostages to their families, rush much-needed humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza, and chart out a path to future peace between the Palestinian people and the state of Israel.

Remembering Phil Donahue

Phil Donahue receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden in May

Popular television talk show host and civic activist Phil Donahue passed on Sunday at the age of 88. A frequent visitor to Memphis and strong supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, he was the husband of Marlo Thomas, whose father, Danny Thomas, founded St. Jude. Phil Donahue was a television innovator and made his daytime viewers think. He will be missed. See my tribute to him here.

Announcing a Lung Research Grant to UTHSC

On Thursday, I announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center will receive a grant of $615,455 to study the role of a type of white blood cell in lung infections. See that release here.

Holding a Press Event on Securing Funding for Lifeline to Success Reentry Program

Next Thursday, I will hold a press conference to call attention to the $500,000 in community project funding I secured for the Lifeline to Success Inc. reentry program. Although the event is not open to the public, I want my constituents to know that I recognize the importance of job training and other support services to those reentering society.

Weekly Health Tip

The Food and Drug Administration this week approved the latest set of annual Covid vaccines for people six months old or older in the midst of what appears to be a late-summer surge of the virus. Pfizer and Moderna will be shipping the vaccines to pharmacies and doctors’ offices in coming days. The newly updated version of the shot is designed to address a version of the virus that became prevalent this spring. As soon as it is available, I urge you to get the updated vaccination.

Quotes of the Week

“She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth. If we bankrupt a business — if we bankrupt a business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. No.

“We don’t get to change the rules so we always win. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top. No. We put our heads down. We get to work. In America, we do something.” – Former First Lady Michelle Obama, speaking Tuesday night in Chicago.

“I see an America where we hold fast to the fearless belief that built our nation and inspired the world. That here, in this country, anything is possible. That nothing is out of reach. An America where we care for one another, look out for one another and recognize that we have so much more in common than what separates us. That none of us — none of us has to fail for all of us to succeed.” – Vice President Kamala Harris speaking Thursday night in Chicago.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress