The Gun Debate

Dear Friend,

This week I appeared on Current TV’s “The Young Turks” to discuss gun violence and possible gun legislation in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. It’s important that Congress take a comprehensive approach to reduce gun violence and strengthen our nation’s gun laws while protecting law abiding citizens’ right to own firearms. I encourage you to watch my interview by clicking here.

The Young Turks
Remembering Lillian Lewis
Inaugural Transportation Plan Announced
St. Jude
Congressional Calendars
Grant Announcements

The Young Turks

On Tuesday I appeared on Current TV’s “The Young Turks” to discuss gun violence and possible gun legislation in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. And there was another shooting just this week at a high school in California that we are still learning about. During the interview, I discussed the avenues Congress could pursue on gun legislation, the NRA and the influential gun lobby, mental health concerns, whether House Speaker Boehner would post a bill for a floor vote, recent comments made by President Obama and Vice President Biden, and the task force they have established to tackle our country’s concerns on gun safety and violence. Click here to see the interview.

Remembering Lillian Lewis

This week I travelled to Atlanta to pay my respects to Lillian Lewis, wife of Civil Rights icon and Congressman John Lewis – a good friend of mine for many years. In 2010 I joined Congressman Lewis on the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights Pilgrimage to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. At the funeral, Rev. Jesse Jackson told reporters that Lillian Lewis was a “peace loving, freedom-fighting woman.” Lillian Lewis truly was an amazing and inspirational woman. We will miss her. Please join me in keeping Lillian and her husband John in our thoughts and prayers.

Inaugural Transportation Plan Announced

The 2013 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee recently announced a joint transportation plan for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. The plan surrounds events and activities that will take place on Sunday, January 20 and Monday, January 21. The extensively detailed plan provides general outlines for vehicular restricted zones, road closures, charter vehicles, public transportation and pedestrian routes. Click here to learn more.

St. Jude
On Wednesday I announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was awarded $306,250 for allergy, immunology and transplantation research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of the best hospitals in the country when it comes to research and treatment. I’m a lifelong supporter of St. Jude and believe in their doctors, scientists and researchers. This new funding will allow St. Jude to continue the important research and medical work they do on a daily basis.

Congressional Calendars
There are a limited number of 2013 Congressional Calendars available through my office. If you’d like to receive one of these free calendars, please click here to fill out a short form. I have already received a number of requests from some who are not residents of District 9. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s 9th District. Please feel free to share this email with other constituents who may be interested in receiving a calendar.

Grant Announcements
I regularly release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others. These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated regularly on my website.

Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,


As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress