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Dear Friend,
This week, I hosted a memorial service and celebration of life for my first Congressional Chief of Staff, Shirley Cooks, surrounded by her former colleagues, friends and family. I also followed ongoing negotiations to avoid another Republican-caused federal government shutdown, commemorated Memphis’ contribution to the recovery after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the 23rd anniversary on Wednesday, celebrated the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House, remembered three-term Tennessee Senator Jim Sasser upon his passing, announced significant National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to the University of Memphis and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, commemorated the 34th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act at the White House, reminded constituents of energy-saving rebates available under the Inflation Reduction Act, recognized the sacrifice of the Scarborough 85, followed the so-far successful polio vaccination campaign in war-torn Gaza, and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Celebrating the Life of Shirley Cooks
Seeking to Avoid Another Republican-Caused Government Shutdown
Commemorating the Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks
Celebrating Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House
Remembering Tennessee Senator Jim Sasser
Announcing $2.1 Million in National Science Foundation Grants to the University of Memphis and St. Jude
Commemorating Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act
Encouraging Utilization of Inflation Reduction Act Clean Energy Rebates
Recognizing the Sacrifice of The Scarborough 85
Following Polio Eradication Efforts in Gaza
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Celebrating the Life of Shirley Cooks
Congressman Cohen (third from left), Andrew Young and Shirley Cooks' sons and friends
On Thursday, my Washington office, friends, former colleagues, her family, and I celebrated the life of my first Chief of Staff, Shirley Cooks. Shirley, an early supporter and foot soldier in the Civil Rights Movement and a dedicated public servant all her life, passed in January. I spoke of her help introducing me to the ways of Washington and her embrace of Memphis and its issues. Shirley was the sister of actor, entertainer and Civil Rights activist Harry Belafonte. In 2008, she came to Memphis to help organize a Town Hall Meeting at Rhodes College that included her brother, Congressmen John Lewis and John Conyers, actor Danny Glover, and the Reverends Joseph Lowery and C.T. Vivian, without question the greatest town hall in the history of town halls. I was honored to bring these great leaders to Memphis for an event whose audience exceeded venue capacity. At Thursday’s event, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and Hilary Shelton of the NAACP along with Paula Young Shelton, also spoke of their longtime relationships with Shirley and her husband Stoney and the work they did together in the Civil Rights Movement. See a statement I placed in the Congressional Record here. Shirley Cooks lived a meaningful life and is missed.
Seeking to Avoid Another Republican-Caused Government Shutdown
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Speaker Mike Johnson, seeing he didn’t have the votes, pulled a partisan short-term spending bill from Wednesday’s House agenda and will try again with something workable. Congress has until September 30 to avoid another Republican-caused federal government shutdown, but the House Majority is still playing fatuous Trump-directed partisan games. I will keep you apprised as negotiations continue.
Commemorating Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks
The Memphis-based Tennessee Task Force One urban search and rescue team raced through the night of September 11, 2001, to reach the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks. On Tuesday, we commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the attacks on World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and we were again sorrowfully reminded of all the sacrifices and lives lost. We owe a particular debt of gratitude to the Memphians who dropped everything to serve in the smoking wreckage of the Pentagon.
Celebrating Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House
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On Monday afternoon, I attended a White House celebration of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a polio survivor, I appreciate the advances this law has made to accommodate those with disabilities. I especially appreciated President Biden’s personal shout-out to me Monday afternoon. See those remarks in the White House video here.
Remembering Tennessee Senator Jim Sasser
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On Wednesday, upon learning that three-term Tennessee Senator Jim Sasser had passed, I reflected on all he meant to our state. After his Senate career, he served as ambassador to China and was largely responsible for the Memphis Zoo acquiring pandas, one of a handful zoos in the country to have that distinction. See my remembrance of Senator Sasser here.
Announcing $2.1 Million in National Science Foundation Grants to University of Memphis and St. Jude
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On Thursday, I announced that the University of Memphis and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will together receive $2,169,447 to advance equity in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for minority students. See my release here.
Commemorating Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act
On Thursday, I returned to the White House to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, landmark legislation that has helped to combat gender-based violence and support survivors. The President said the law was his proudest achievement in Congress since he had championed the measure as a sponsor in the Senate. I also applauded President Biden’s new actions to strengthen the federal government’s commitment to end violence against women.
Encouraging Utilization of Inflation Reduction Act Clean Energy Rebates
More than 3.4 million Americans have already received rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Energy Program. If you haven’t received a rebate, visit www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder to learn how you can benefit. Consumer savings from the Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle tax credit have reached $1 billion since the credit took effect on January 1. The Treasury Department says more than 150,000 emissions-free vehicles have been sold this year using the point-of-sale rebate, from which it projected an average consumer savings of $1,750 a year on maintenance and fuel costs. Through the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates, which include the Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, you may be eligible for cash back on appliances and other home improvements that can lower energy bills. See details here.
Recognizing the Sacrifice of The Scarborough 85
On September 6, 1955, 85 African American students entered the all-white Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High, making them the first public schools in the southeast to integrate following the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. On Tuesday, I joined all the other members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation in a resolution celebrating the milestone. See that resolution here.
Following Polio Eradication Efforts in Gaza
I have been following what looks like hopeful progress in a polio vaccination campaign inside the Gaza Strip. As a childhood victim of the disease, I know how important these vaccinations are and how dire the consequences when they can’t be carried out. I hope the humanitarian effort is allowed to continue and rolled out successfully. I also encourage all parents to keep up to date with the entire regimen of vaccinations against preventable illnesses for their children. View the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) immunization schedules here.
Weekly Health Tip
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Unfortunately, Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District has a disproportionate share of these cases. Find available resources for sickle cell patients from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute here.
Quote of the Week
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“In the middle of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln said, ‘Everyone deserves a fair chance in the race of life.’ Folks, that’s the idea. That’s why we are here today.” -- President Biden on Monday celebrating Disability Pride Month at the White House
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress |