Mourning the Passing of Harry Belafonte

Dear Friend,

After a busy week in Washington, I’m here with an update on my work on behalf of Memphis and Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. 
 
This week, I joined the world in mourning the death of a true civil rights hero: Harry Belafonte. I also announced new federal funding for our Memphis International Airport and was presented with the Golden Rail Spike award for my work on behalf of rail passengers nationwide. I was proud to introduce a new bipartisan resolution in support of our partners in Ukraine, questioned the head of the ATF on their work to curb gun violence, and voted against a disastrous Republican budget proposal. Read on for more, and thanks as always for starting your weekend here with me. 

Mourning the Passing of Harry Belafonte 

This week, our nation and the world mourned the passing of Harry Belafonte—a man of rectitude, patriotism and talent. As one of Dr. King's strongest allies, Mr. Belafonte exhibited his patriotism and call to activism during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. I was fortunate to get to know Harry through his sister, Shirley Cooks, who served as my first Chief of Staff in the U.S. Congress. Harry came to Memphis with Congressman John Conyers and actor Danny Glover to participate in one of my earliest town hall meetings at Rhodes College in 2008, and he was beloved wherever he went.

Harry Belafonte’s life had great purpose as an entertainer, but he found even greater purpose through his work as a humanitarian. He organized demonstrations, raised money, and mobilized friends for the cause of civil rights and social justice, he donated his great talents to altruistic causes like participating in the 1985 charity song “We Are the World”, and he was even named as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. Harry Belafonte will be greatly missed by many of us in Memphis, and by so many more throughout the world. May he rest in peace.

New Federal Infrastructure Grant for Memphis International Airport 

Last week, I announced that the Memphis International Airport is set to receive an $11.6 million federal infrastructure grant award to support the reconstruction of existing taxiway, as well as for the installation of new taxiway lighting. The new federal resources are being awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Grant Program and were made possible by the FY 2023 federal budget, which I voted to pass on December 23, 2022. For more information, click here.

This is great news for the Memphis International Airport, and for all the local passengers, businesses, and workers who utilize it. Our airport is responsible for helping the Memphis metropolitan area generate billions of dollars in revenue annually, and it facilitates all sorts of travel for millions of Americans every single year. Now, funding through our 2023 federal spending package is going to help them shore up aging taxiways and become even more efficient—meaning increased travel and economic activity, more output, and more jobs. Our airport has undergone some exciting and truly generational transformations lately, and I know they have a list of other important priorities they’re ready to get started on. Whether it’s through the 2023 budget or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act I voted to pass in 2021—two laws for which I was the only member of the Tennessee delegation to vote in favor of— federal resources are providing our airport with the funding they need to gear up and keep going.

Receiving the Golden Rail Spike Award 

On Wednesday, I was honored to be recognized with the Rail Passengers Association’s 2023 Golden Spike Award for my work on behalf of all passengers who depend on and utilize America's railways. The award was particularly special to me because I know that my dear departed friend, Larry Bloch—who loves trains and rail travel as much as I do—would have been proud of me for receiving it. Rail travel is an essential mode of transportation, it’s a vital economic engine for our communities, and I firmly believe that every passenger has the right to quality service and respect—including access to the dining car. Thank you to Jim Matthews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, and to his entire team for this recognition and for their great work!

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—the once-in-a-generation infrastructure bill I voted to pass back in 2021—is providing long-overdue investments to make Amtrak and other railways safer, faster, cleaner, and more efficient. As we continue to push for improvements and the launch of the Memphis-to-Nashville route, I’m committed to ensuring that passenger rail remains a reliable and enjoyable experience for Memphians and all Americans. For more information on the award, click here.

Introduction of the Ukraine Victory Resolution

As Ranking Member of the Helsinki Commission, I was proud to be joined by my colleagues and by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko outside of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday as we introduced a new bipartisan resolution in support of our Ukrainian partners. The Ukraine Victory Resolution that Congressman Joe Wilson and I introduced reaffirms our shared commitment to a Ukrainian victory, and it calls for Ukraine to formally be made a NATO member.

Many around the world may have doubted Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, but for 14 long months they have bravely fought for their homeland, preventing an incursion into NATO and demonstrating to autocrats that borders cannot be changed by force alone. The Ukrainian fight is our common fight—there is no alternative to victory. For more information on the Ukraine Victory Resolution, click here.

Judiciary Committee Hearing with ATF, Glock Switches Clip 

Memphians know all too well that we need to be smart and find real solutions to curb gun violence. On Wednesday, I spoke with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Steven Dettelbach about the need for more action at the federal level on policies like Red Flag Laws, as well as his agency’s work to crack down on illegal gun modifications like Glock switches—a deadly item that is becoming far too common in communities nationwide. Watch below.

Voting Against the Republican Budget Proposal 

On Wednesday, I voted against House Republicans’ budget proposal, the Limit, Save, Grow Act—a bill that some Democrats refer to more aptly as the “Default on America Act.”. This extreme budget proposal presents our country with two bad choices: a default on our nation’s debt and a devastated economy, or causing pain to everyday people with deep cuts to federal programs that are relied on by millions. There’s no doubt that we need to raise the debt ceiling—it’s been done numerous times under presidents from both parties, and Democrats worked across the aisle to do so three times during the Trump Administration—but this was a shameful first attempt by the current House majority.

25% of America’s current debt was accumulated during the four years of the Trump Administration, and the House majority are refusing to negotiate in order to pay those bills. When you vote for things like President Bush’s Iraq War—which was based on a lie about weapons of mass destruction—or for President Trump’s tax scheme in which 83% of benefits went to the top wealthiest 1% of Americans, there comes a time to pay the piper. Instead, despite the oath of office that all of us took to protect the full faith and credit of the United States, they’re choosing a path forward that would see our nation default on its debt, which would shut down the government, cause the stock market to tank, and tip us into a recession. It’s high time for House Republicans to abandon their foolish political brinkmanship, and to join us in protecting our economy and securing a prosperous future for all Americans. 

To read my entire statement on the Republican budget proposal, click here.

Weekly Health Tip: Mental Health Awareness Month Starts Next Week (links to info & resources) 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s just around the corner. Mental Health Awareness Month was established to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in all our lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Struggles with mental health are part of being human, and working through these sorts of challenges is something that all of us have in common. We've got to end the stigma of talking about mental health, and of seeking help from friends, loved ones, and professionals.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health—whether it’s emotional, behavioral, or linked to substance abuse—know that you’re not alone. So many of us have dealt with similar issues, and there are resources available that can help provide support and useful tools to overcome all sorts of challenges. I’ve listed a few below, and you can always feel free to call my office at (901) 544-4131 with more questions. 

• If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org. 
• You can also call Tennessee’s 24/7 crisis hotline for confidential help from a mental health professional in your area: 855-CRISIS-1 or 855-274-7471. 
• To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. 
• To locate treatment facilities or providers, visit FindTreatment.gov, or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
• For more information on local mental health resources, visit the City of Memphis’s resource page here. 

Quote of the Week 

“My activism has always existed. My art gave me the platform to do something about the activism.” — Harry Belafonte
 
“If I’ve impacted one heart, one mind, one soul and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” — Harry Belafonte

Thanks again for taking some time to read my eNewsletter. Remember, if there's anything my staff and I can assist with, feel free to call our Memphis Office at (901) 544-4131, and you can reach our Washington, DC office at (202) 225-3265. For more updates on my work as it happens, click below to follow me on social media.


As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress