Memphis
As a fourth-generation Memphian, I have dedicated my life to public service in Memphis and Shelby County. My work has defined my life and affected the lives of people in Memphis, across Tennessee and now across America throughout my career in national, state and local politics.
More on Memphis
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) voted for, and the House passed, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the first significant gun violence protection bill in years. The vote was 240 to 190. The measure requires a background check for every gun sale or transfer with some reasonable and explicit exceptions, such as allowing temporary transfers to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, and by law enforcement and the military.
WASHINGTON – Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), Peter King (NY-02), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act, a measure to ensure the safe and humane treatment of horses on roads and highways by ending the exploitation of a regulatory loophole designed to ban transport of horses in double-deck trailers.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today met in his office with XPO Logistics officials and their consultants to begin review of personnel policies and the company's decision to close its Memphis warehouse, laying off more than 400 employees.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be receiving a Cancer Support Center grant of $6,533,713 from the National Cancer Institute, and made the following statement:
"St. Jude is the premier hospital specializing in the fight against childhood cancers. This substantial grant will allow St. Jude to continue to lead as an outstanding institution and employer in Memphis, and I am pleased this grant will permit it to continue its important work."
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) will speak at the funeral for Judge Russell B. Sugarmon Jr. at noon today at Metropolitan Baptist Church, remembering the life of his friend and mentor.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"Russell Sugarmon was one of the last great Civil Rights leaders in Memphis, working with the late Judge Ben Hooks, Maxine and Vasco Smith and Jesse Turner Jr. to transform the city and make society more fair and just. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Gina, his children and his many friends."
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) wrote a follow-up letter to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Friday, asking him again to remove the bust of Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest from the State Capitol. A copy can be found here.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released a letter to XPO Logistics CEO Bradley Jacobs expressing their concern about the timing of layoffs at the company's Memphis facility amid serious allegations of pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and suppression of labor organizing activities at XPO facilities around the country detailed in national news media stories. See the full letter here.
Congressman Cohen sent a letter to National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver commending the league's proposal to alter the NBA draft age requirement but questioning the league's plan to delay the change until 2022.
Congressman Cohen first wrote to the NBA about this issue in 2009.
The full text of today's letter follows:
Shortly before Bill Lee took the oath of office as Tennessee governor and shortly after, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis urged Lee to work toward removing a bust of Confederate general, slave trader and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest from the state capitol building.
At a townhall meeting Friday at the Randolph Branch library in Berclair, Cohen said Lee responded by offering to push for adding some context to the bust.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) remembered his friend and mentor Judge Russell B. Sugarmon this evening and made the following statement: