Expressing Sorrow at the Fire Damage Done to Clayborn Temple and Pledging Support
Dear Friend,
This week, I expressed my sadness at the devastating fire that damaged the iconic Clayborn Temple downtown and pledged to secure federal funding to restore it to its original condition. I also submitted a comprehensive public statement on the pending natural gas emission permit for the turbines powering xAI’s supercomputer in Southwest Memphis, condemned the chaotic first 100 days of the second Trump presidency, welcomed the Trump administration’s reversal on international student visas, sought the release of a Russian lab researcher held in ICE detention, congratulated this year’s Congressional Art Competition winner, invited submissions to the Congressional App Challenge, and offered a Bill Day cartoon, a Friday Flashback and a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Expressing Sorrow at the Fire Damage Done to Clayborn Temple and Pledging Support
Seeking the Most Stringent Emissions Controls for xAI Gas Turbines
Conveying My Dismay at Trump’s 100-Day Rampage
Welcoming Trump Reversal on International Student Visas
Seeking Release of Russian Researcher from ICE Detention
Congratulating Congressional Art Competition Winner
Soliciting Congressional App Challenge Participants
Expressing Sorrow at the Fire Damage Done to Clayborn Temple and Pledging Support
Monday morning’s terrible fire at the historic Clayborn Temple destroyed, at least temporarily, an irreplaceable icon of the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike and the larger Civil Rights movement. It is a national treasure and must be restored. I secured $400,000 for its restoration in 2017. For Fiscal Year 2025, I requested $3 million for the Historic Clayborn Temple Restoration and Renovation Project, which was approved by the Appropriations Committee as one of my 15 Community Funding Projects but was later removed when House Republicans abandoned negotiations and passed a temporary spending bill without community project funding. I have pledged to work for additional federal funding to return this priceless Romanesque Revival edifice to its original greatness. Memphis is a city of grit and grime. We will not let this setback be permanent.
Seeking the Most Stringent Emission Controls for xAI Gas Turbines
On Wednesday, I submitted extensive public comments to the Shelby County Health Department as it evaluates the application for a natural gas turbine emissions permit to power xAI’s Colossus supercomputer. I expressed concern about potential effects of cumulative emissions, as the community already suffers from industrial pollution and Shelby County’s air quality recently received an “F” rating from the American Lung Association. If the emissions permit is granted, I requested the use of the most technologically advanced controls to reduce emissions and regular monitoring to assure compliance with regulations. See my entire submission here.
Conveying My Dismay at Trump’s Damaging 100-Day Rampage
Wednesday was the 100th Day of Trump’s second presidency, a disheartening milestone preceded by reckless, dangerous and misguided policies that are upending lives and our nation’s standing in the world. The headlong race toward autocracy, chaos and likely economic catastrophe is now recognized by the American people, who are demonstrating that devastation and cruelty are not what they voted for. I will continue to be a vigilant opponent of this harmful president and his enablers and look forward to being back in the majority in 2027 and ending the tyranny.
Welcoming Trump Reversal on International Student Legal Status
This week, I was relieved to see the Trump Administration reverse itself and restore the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) records for international students it had arbitrarily revoked. The reversal restored the legal status of students at the University of Memphis and at Christian Brothers University and their ability to study here in Memphis. See my statement on the situation here.
Seeking Release of Russian Researcher from ICE Detention
On Tuesday, I led a letter with Congressional colleagues to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency seeking the release of a Russian laboratory researcher at Harvard University Medical School currently in ICE detention. See my release and the letter here.
Congratulating Congressional Art Competition Winner
Chloe Warner, a 12th grader at Hutchison School in Memphis, is the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. Her piece entitled “Take the Veil” shows the profile of a woman under a veil. Chloe’s art teacher at Hutchison is Jeanette Leake. The piece will hang in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol all year. Congratulations, Chloe.
Soliciting Congressional App Challenge Participants
Thursday was the first day to apply for the Congressional App Challenge, an opportunity for middle and high school students in the 9th Congressional District to show off their high-tech coding skills and potentially receive national recognition. More information on the process and technical specifications is available on my Cohen.House.gov web page. The deadline for submissions is October 30.
Warren was my best pal. We traveled together and talked constantly. He put me on stage with him in Santa Cruz and New Orleans and took me to recording sessions and concerts. I introduced him in Memphis and Nashville — “ladies and gentlemen, Warren Zevon” -- and was honored to have him as my guest at the 2000 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles.
He’s been a Hall of Famer all his musical days. Now it’s official. He will join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025, and all his friends, family and fans are celebrating.
“How was I to know, she was with the Russians, too?”
AARP this week published “7 Surprising Reasons to Wear Sunglasses,” and it is useful guidance for protecting your eyes and avoiding cataracts. Among the reasons are avoiding headaches from squinting in bright sunshine and getting your eyes sunburned, a condition known as photokeratitis. See all seven reasons here, And consider wearing shades with 100 percent ultraviolet (UV) ray protection.
“Trump’s unconstitutional assault on the American way of life is unprecedented, but the so-called ‘dictator on day one’ is learning an important lesson. Americans don’t bend the knee to bullies. In the face of tyranny, we join together. In the face of tyranny, we rise up together. In the face of tyranny, we get into some good trouble together. And we’re just getting started.” – Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday, the 100th Day of the Trump Presidency.
“Enjoy every sandwich.” — Warren Zevon, responding to a question from talk show host David Letterman when asked what he’d learned as he approached the end life. On Monday, it was announced that Zevon will be posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress