Dear Friend, This week, I paid my respects to an iconic leader, 1968 Sanitation Workers striker Elmore Nickleberry, who passed on Saturday, December 30. I also noted the recent passing of longtime School Board member Carl Johnson Sr., senior citizen advocate Ruth E. Tate and architect Tony Bologna. I also wished everyone happy holidays as the season draws to a close, wrote to the DEA administrator about rescheduling marijuana, called on the Senate to pass a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill when it returns next week, filed comments to improve an FAA rulemaking proposal on cockpit data recorders, announced a prestigious National Science Foundation grant to the University of Memphis, applauded a friend-of-the-court brief in the Trump federal criminal case and the states’ use of the 14th Amendment to disqualify him from office, congratulated 9th District Congressional App Challenge winners Kennedi Stewart, Naomi Leverette, Kennedy Jefferson, and Alan Ji, and offered advice on how regular citizens can help the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in their mission. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Remembering Elmore Nickleberry Appreciating All Tony Bologna Did to Improve Memphis Hoping All had Happy Holidays Seeking Rescheduling of Marijuana Calling on the Senate to End Delay and Pass an FAA Reauthorization Bill Improving the Aircraft Cockpit Data Recorder Rulemaking Proposal Announcing National Science Foundation Grant to the University of Memphis Applauding Friend-of-the Court Brief Regarding Trump’s Outlandish Claim of Criminal Immunity Applauding State Efforts to Use 14th Amendment to Disqualify Trump from Office Congratulating 9th District Winners of the Congressional App Challenge Weekly Health Tip Quote of the Week
Remembering Elmore Nickleberry
Elmore Nickleberry, the second-to-last surviving 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers striker, passed last Saturday, December 30, at the age of 92. I plan to submit a statement to the Congressional Record next week when I return to Washington. It will say: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay profound respect to Elmore Nickleberry, one of the last two surviving 1968 Memphis Sanitation worker strikers, who passed on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 92 years old. Mr. Nickleberry and 1,300 other sanitation workers led the wildcat strike after two of their colleagues were crushed in a garbage truck compactor and their nearly unbearable working conditions shocked the nation. Their story so inspired the Reverand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., then planning his Poor People’s March on Washington, that he joined their cause and was ultimately assassinated on a Memphis motel balcony on April 4 of that year. The efforts of the strikers, with their iconic “I AM A MAN” placards, and of people of good will in Memphis, led to remarkable progress in race relations and labor equity, and forever changed my city for the better. The strike and its aftermath were a defining moment for Memphis and for the country. Mr. Nickleberry stayed on in the city’s sanitation department until his retirement three years ago, attending a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the strike in 2018. He and the sanitation workers were inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor’s Labor Hall of Fame in 2011. His remarkable legacy will be studied as an important milestone in our nation’s history. I also want to remember the recent passing of longtime Memphis School Board Member Carl Johnson Sr., senior citizen advocate Ruth E. Tate and architect Tony Bologna (see below). Appreciating All Tony Bologna Did to Improve Memphis Architect and new urbanism consultant Antonio “Tony” Bologna, whose work can be seen at The Orpheum, Harbor Town, the South Bluffs, Crosstown Concourse, Clayborn Temple, MLGW headquarters, the Central Train Station and in other projects across Memphis, has passed away at 84. His inspired designs transformed our city and will have a lasting influence. Hoping All had Happy Holidays For many “the happiest time of the year,” as the song says, has come and gone. I hope all my constituents, friends and family had a fine time in December and welcomed 2024 with joy. Seeking Rescheduling of Marijuana
On Thursday, I wrote to Drug Enforcement Administrator Anne Milgram asking her to act expeditiously on an August 29 Department of Health and Human Services recommendation to reschedule marijuana to Schedule 3 under the Controlled Substances Act. The letter reads in part: “Marijuana never belonged on Schedule I. Its inclusion resulted in harsh and disproportionate prison sentences, particularly for communities of color. You have a historic opportunity to make meaningful progress…” See my release and the entire letter here. Calling on the Senate to End Delay and Pass an FAA Reauthorization Bill
The Senate still has not taken up the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, while the House passed an FAA reauthorization bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote back in July. I released a statement on Wednesday asking the Senate to promptly consider the legislation when it convenes next week. See that statement here. Improving the Aircraft Cockpit Data Recorder Rulemaking Proposal On Tuesday, as the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I was joined by fellow Subcommittee Member Tim Burchett in filing comments with the FAA on a proposed rulemaking regarding cockpit data recorders on aircraft, commending it for recommending lengthier duration recordings which will have a positive impact on safety. Announcing National Science Foundation Grant to the University of Memphis
On Wednesday, I announced that the University of Memphis has received a prestigious National Science Foundation grant to study microplastic pollution’s impact on soil hydrology. See that release here. Applauding Friend-of-the Court Brief Regarding Trump’s Outlandish Claim of Criminal Immunity Last week, a group called American Oversight filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia arguing that Supreme Court precedent does not allow for these types of appeal. Trump has been charged with attempting to subvert the 2020 election. He claims immunity from prosecution because he was the President. In their brief, American Oversight quotes leading conservative jurists Justice Antonin Scalia and then-Circuit Judge Neil Gorsuch, arguing that courts of appeal must wait until after a verdict for these types of appeals. The group contends the trial should proceed as scheduled in March. I am persuaded and look forward to seeing Trump on trial. Applauding State Efforts to Use 14th Amendment to Disqualify Trump from Office
In early 2021, I introduced a measure to enforce the 14th Amendment’s Section 3 disqualifying from public office anyone who had engaged in insurrection against the United States. I am pleased to see several states upholding this Constitutional provision to keep Donald Trump off their ballots. It appears this issue will now be before the U.S. Supreme Court. Congratulating 9th District Winners of the Congressional App Challenge
I am pleased to announce Kennedi Stewart, Naomi Leverette, Kennedy Jefferson, and Alan Ji of Tennessee Connections Academy, Harding Academy of Memphis, and White Station High School, are the first place winners of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition for High Schoolers to code and showcase original apps. This year’s team are members of CodeCrew, an after-school program which empowers young people to learn how to build applications, games, and more. The 2023 winners designed EcoTrace, which uses artificial intelligence to identify and accurately determine proper disposal of recyclable materials. I am proud of the team’s innovation and creativity. Memphis’s future is in good hands with bright minds like theirs! Weekly Health Tip
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is asking regular citizens to help advance its work as “citizen scientists” – through what is sometimes called crowdsourcing, community-engaged research, or public-partnered research. No advanced degrees or special skill are required, and they are specifically seeking diversity among participants. Learn more about the program here. Quote of the Week “If you're not doing something different, you're not doing anything.” – Sun Studio founder Sam Phillips, born on this day in 1923 As always, I remain.
Most sincerely, Steve Cohen
Member of Congress | 